By Jared Lindell
You have probably known someone in your life that seemed to bring out the best in you. These types of individuals usually have a certain way about them that is welcoming, kind, and generous, and they are willing to share everything they have as though it is yours. They sense the good in everything and everyone and bring that feeling of positive energy to all those they encounter. One such friend of the Community Foundation that has brought his positive influence to the Foundation staff is C. Jeffrey Bloomquist.
Jeff Bloomquist was born in Jamestown in 1948. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1968 and attended Jamestown Community College for a short time before being drafted into the United States Army. While in the Army, Jeff served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as a field medic. Of his many experiences in Vietnam, one of his most memorable was delivering a baby…that lucky child could not have been brought into this world by a better person.
For the past 25 years, Jeff has been working for the American Cancer Society and the Daffodil Festival, an annual fundraiser for the benefit of those with cancer. The dedication he has to the Cancer Society and this event is for two reasons: 1) He lives to help others; 2) He himself is a cancer survivor. However, with Jeff, it is never about himself but always others. During his 25 years of being involved with the Daffodil Festival, Jeff has been responsible for the shipping of nearly 50,000 flowers annually, equaling over 1 million 250 thousand flowers he has overseen the shipment of in his lifetime. While the numbers are huge, the overall impact of his involvement is immeasurable. In addition to his involvement with the Cancer Society and Daffodil Days, Jeff also takes part in the Relay for Life, breast cancer awareness events, as well as regularly campaigning for The Children’s Hospital. He takes part in all these activities with his whole heart and does so with a smile, while bringing smiles to those he works with.
Jeff has been stopping by the Foundation for years and because of this relationship he has always considered starting a fund of his own to benefit the community he loves. This is why he recently established the C. Jeffrey Bloomquist History Scholarship Fund. While Jeff is very passionate about promoting cancer awareness and helping others, he is just as passionate about history. In demonstration of this, he has served as an Abraham Lincoln impersonator for 20 years, participating in local parades as well as teaching the history of Lincoln to students in local area and Buffalo schools. He has also been involved in Civil War reenactments since the late 1980s. To fully appreciate his love and knowledge of history would take a novel to capture. Due to this love of history, Jeff’s new fund will serve to benefit Jamestown, Southwestern, Frewsburg, Falconer, and Maple Grove High students that are majoring in history and have financial need.
In addition to being a great history buff and good Samaritan, Jeff has also been a good friend of the Community Foundation. When stopping by once a week, he brings his personality that garners smiles, laughs, and good conversation. It is a friendship that is appreciated and brings positive energy and benefit to the CRCF staff…Just as the C. Jeffrey Bloomquist History Scholarship Fund serves to benefit the community Jeff loves.
