Biography's

George Tollefson

George Tollefson is a middle school teacher in the Bethel School district. A Champion in Education award nominee in 2007, he is the Dave Putnam Middle School Teacher of the Year Award winner for 2008. George has spent 30 years as an educator specializing in at-risk youth and currently trains mainstream teachers in creating inclusive classrooms using positive behavior supports.

Ruby Tollefson

Ruby Tollefson is the Regional General Manager for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. Throughout her 28 year career, Ruby has striven to provide access to tax credits and tax preparation for those in our society, the poor and the non-English speaking, who are so often overlooked. Ruby is also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and for the health and well-being of all children.
 

The Tollefson Ranch was homesteaded in 1898. George and Ruby Tollefson are the 5th generation of Tollefsons to work this land. They raise organic, grass fed, free-range beef, pasture horses, and nurture 40 acres of forest land. They also grow organic Royal Ann cherries, heirloom pears and apples. Over the last 6 years they have donated over 10,000 pounds of fruit and beef to the Mid-Lane Love Project, the Tony Garcia Service Center, and the Eugene Mission.

Larry Bailey

Larry started playing bongo drums and writing poems when he was eight years old, beginning a lifetime love of music. "I may be the worlds oldest bongo playing poet", he says with a laugh!

After pursuing a career "writing songs for long since forgotten low budget films", and as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for a popular Southern Rock band, he turned his attention to producing fundraising concerts for community groups he met while touring, usually groups working with At Risk Youth. "There is no sweeter music than the sound of children's laughter. It hit me up close and real personal, most kids are at risk."

Along the way he was the talent coordinator and producer for the largest one day, and the largest five day music festivals in the country, produced several syndicated live music television shows, a concert tour of 10 major eastern cities, hundreds of fundraising concerts and developed an email list of more than 15,000 performers, bands and crew.

Duties
 George, Community Groups, Volunteers, and Vendors Coordinator.
 Ruby, Keeper of the Books, Cracks the Whip (less talkie, more workie)!
 LB, Producer of all Music Events, Talent Coordinator, Production and Stage Manager.

Click here to see what this is about.

Click here to see some of the Community Groups involved.