The "See Ya Later" Foundation was born from the spirit of Scott Banke, a young boy from McMinnville who faced a diagnosis of Osteosarcoma at age ten. Despite years of chemotherapy, surgeries, and a stem cell transplant, Scott remained known for his humor, magic tricks, and an unwavering upbeat attitude. The foundation’s name comes from a video Scott recorded on a Make-A-Wish cruise; at the end of the clip, he turned the camera on himself and simply said, “See Ya Later!”

   Following his passing in 2001, his family and the McMinnville community turned that final phrase into a mission of hope. Today, the foundation focuses on "Inspiring Youth and Encouraging Families," turning one boy's legacy into a support system for an entire region.

Why these contributions belong here

   In a world of global charities, it is easy to lose sight of the needs in our own backyard. Choosing the See Ya Later Foundation means choosing the history and the people of McMinnville. Scott Banke was a local kid who walked the same streets and breathed the same air as we do. By allocating funds here, the student members are not just "sending money to a cause"—they are honoring a local legacy and standing in the gap for neighbors who are currently walking the difficult path Scott’s family once navigated. It is a commitment to the idea that a community is only as strong as the support it offers its most vulnerable members.

Where the contributions will be put to use

•    Funds are strategically distributed across three primary pillars:
  • — Seeds of Hope: This program provides direct financial and emotional support to families in Oregon and Washington who are currently facing life-threatening medical crises. These funds might help a family pay for travel to treatments, cover household bills during a medical leave, or provide a moment of respite.
  • — Youth Opportunities: Contributions fund sports camps, music and arts programs, and personal growth workshops. These initiatives ensure that every child, regardless of their family’s financial or medical situation, has a space to play, create, and grow.
  • — College Scholarships: The foundation invests in "tomorrow's impact-makers" by providing scholarships to local high school seniors, helping them pursue higher education and carry the spirit of community service forward.

How this benefits the students and the Linfield community

   For the student members, this project offers a perspective that goes beyond the classroom or the campus gates. It provides a tangible lesson in stewardship and leadership. By working with a foundation that started with a 12-year-old’s courage, students are reminded that they are never too young to make a monumental impact. It challenges them to look at McMinnville not just as a temporary residence during their college years, but as a community they are responsible for nurturing.

   For the broader Linfield and McMinnville community, this partnership bridges the gap between the university and the town. It transforms the students from "visitors" into "partners." When the community see students actively supporting local families through Seeds of Hope or volunteering at youth camps, it strengthens the bond of mutual respect and shared identity. It proves that the students are invested in the long-term health and happiness of the place they currently call home.

   Please join us in making an impact. Every contribution helps ensure that when a local family faces the unthinkable, they have a community standing behind them, ready to say, "We've got you.