Long-time ADL supporters Larry Atler and Marilyn VanDebur Atler have always recognized the importance of young leaders. They had planned to bequest money to ADL to support the education and cultivation of young leaders after they passed. Compelled by today’s challenging times, they decided not to wait. “In these exceptionally troubled times in which domestic terrorism and violent acts of bigotry seem to dominate the news,” Larry explained, “it is all the more important that our young leaders are knowledgeable and experienced in how to address the attending issues. There is no better place to be prepared than through the programs of ADL.”

As a former Mountain States Regional Board Chair and National Vice Chair of ADL, Larry was a force behind one of ADL’s first leadership programs in the country. In a masterstroke of generosity, the Atlers advanced their legacy gift to further develop high-quality young leaders today. “Marilyn and I do not want to wait to facilitate the education of tomorrow’s leadership” he stated with typical forthrightness.

Larry’s hands-on involvement with ADL dates back over fifty years. He noted that, “The Anti-Defamation League has been a meaningful organization for me since childhood. My father’s participation and his anecdotes about how effective ADL was, created motivation for me as an adult to find out whether it was still effective. From the day that Dick Robinson and Bob Silverberg asked me to become a board member, I have been dedicated to the charter’s purpose: ‘to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.’”

Gaining support of ADL is never far from Larry’s mind. “As a former Chair of the Mountain States Region and National Vice-Chair, Marilyn and I consider ADL a vital recipient of our financial support,” he remarked. “We really appreciate ADL.  Won’t you join us in providing your financial support and devotion of time to such a worthy cause?”

The ADL Mountain States Region thanks the Atlers for their remarkable generosity and leadership. To find out how you can support ADL with legacy gift, endowment or donation, please contact ADL Associate Development Director Jordan Alvillar at jalvillar@adl.org.