Silvanus Foundation
Silvanus Foundation
Our Story......
Welcome to Silvanus Foundation!
About Us
Silvanus Foundation was founded by Nathan Liu, a high school student who loves his community, has dedicated his time and efforts to wildfire prevention and related research. Witnessing the devastating impact of California wildfires in recent years, Nathan felt compelled to make a difference. Since the age of 12, he has been actively involved in conducting research and organizing fundraising initiatives to combat this pressing issue.
Our Story
The scale and destruction of the 2021 wildfires in California left an indelible mark on Nathan's heart and prompted him to take action. In 2018, at just 12 years old, Nathan initiated a video campaign to raise funds for the victims of the Paradise Fire. This initial endeavor ignited his passion for helping those affected by wildfires.
In 2019, Nathan harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze over 108 million fire data points, successfully distinguishing between natural and human-caused fires. His groundbreaking research earned him the prestigious title of Synopsys Science Champion. Undeterred, Nathan continued his investigations, focusing on the correlation between wildfires and lightning during the 2020 Camp Fire. This relentless pursuit of knowledge led to him being recognized as Synopsys' Most Promising Young Scientist earlier this year.
Inspired by the heroism and sacrifice of firefighters who protect our communities, Nathan organized the first "Tribute to Fallen Hero" (TTFH) online charity concert on December 12, 2020. Through this event, he raised over $13,000 for the California Fire Foundation. This non-profit organization provides emotional and financial assistance to the families of firefighters who tragically lose their lives in the line of duty. As we navigate the post-pandemic world and face the ongoing threat of wildfires in California, Nathan is committed to continuing this benevolent action by utilizing our collective time and talents to raise funds and pay tribute to these fallen heroes.
Our Initiatives
Building upon the success of the initial charity concert, Silvanus Foundation has organized subsequent events to support our cause. On December 4, 2021, we held "The 2nd Tribute to Fallen Heroes (TTFH) Benefit Concert," followed by the "3rd Tribute to Fallen Heroes (TTFH) Charity Golf Tournament and Gala/Concert" on October 22, 2022, and the "4th Tribute To Fallen Heroes (TTFH) Benefit Concert and Forum" on September 23, 2023. These events not only honor the brave firefighters but also raise vital funds for our ongoing wildfire prevention efforts.
Till today, Nathan Liu organized the 4 years' annual Tribute to Fallen Heroes (TTFH) Benefit events and we totally fundraised around $87,000 and supported 20 scholarships of Daniel A. Terry Scholarship of California Fire Foundation. Please see the Testmonials below.
Recognizing the necessity and importance of a dedicated organization, Nathan established Silvanus Foundation in March 2022. Our foundation aims to unite individuals who share a common goal inspired by the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through collective action and the power of community, we strive to raise awareness and funds to support wildfire prevention initiatives.
Join Us
We invite you to join Silvanus Foundation in our mission to combat wildfires and protect our communities. Whether you want to contribute your time, talents, or financial support, every contribution makes a significant impact. Together, we can create a safer and more resilient future for California.
Take action now and be part of the solution with Silvanus Foundation!
Testimonials from Scholarship Recipients
The Daniel A. Terry Scholarship has made it possible for me to follow in my father’s footsteps. It has helped me pay for courses throughout my time in college, and with this scholarship I will be able to obtain my bachelor’s degree in psychology at the end of this upcoming semester. It will also help me pay for paramedic school in the future, which is an important stepping stone for me as I would like to join the fire department. I am forever grateful for what this scholarship has provided me with.
-Matthew McKnight
Testimonials from Scholarship Recipients
Hello! My name is Ethan Ibarra, and I am a recipient of the Daniel A. Terry scholarship. I am proud to
commemorate the legacy of my father Richard Ibarra, who laid his life down in the fire service for the
good of his community.
My childhood looked like anyone else’s growing up. I had a roof over my head, a good group of friends,
and was going to school to receive a standard education. My mother Jan was a stay-at-home mom
raising both my brother and I, and my father Richard was a full-time firefighter spending days or even
weeks away from his family. We lived in a good neighborhood with all the other preschool kids, all of us
waking up early to see the garbage truck driver who would give us lollipops and setting off fireworks
together every fourth of July. Come the holidays, our whole family would be reunited playing games and
laughing with one another, and my dad was often the center of attention. He was a funny guy who loved seeing people smile and laugh, and he never made anyone laugh more than my mom.
Unfortunately, we lost my dad in December of 2009 when I was six years old. Everyone was completely
blindsided, and the effects of his loss rippled through our family like an earthquake. In a way, I was too
young to realize this and would often ask my mom “When is dad coming home?”. I would have to
eventually have to come to terms with the fact that the answer to that question would be never. My
dad had forever left this life and moved on to the next.
Two years later, we moved away to the place where my dad had dreamed of taking our family. It was a
small town but had a tight-knit community and it would not be long before we found our place as a part
of it. It was hard not seeing all my old friends and visiting the firehouse every week like we used to, but I
am grateful to my mom who worked so hard to enroll my brother and I into school, move us in to our
new house with the help of the fire department, and deal with the two little pests that we were (and
probably still are).
Life went on, though very quietly. It wasn’t the same without dad making monkey faces at us through
the car window, pushing us on the swings at the playground or walking through the door after his shift.
I would never know what it would be like to have a dad to play catch with, or to teach me how to fish, or
to coach me through life as I matured from a rambunctious kid into a moody teenager. But even though
my dad wasn’t with us physically, that didn’t stop me from striving to be just a good a man as he was.
Today I am 19 years old and am attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. With the help of the Daniel A. Terry scholarship, I am proud to say I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Though I don’t have many memories of my father, I do remember how passionate he was about serving others. He wouldn’t hesitate a second to answer a cry for help, whether that be from a burning building or from a desperate friend in need. Now I wish to do the same, and as a registered nurse, I long for the
opportunity to provide answers to those cries for help, be a shining light for those in darkness, and
maybe one day, save someone’s life, as my dad had done countless times.
I am thankful to this foundation for its mission to help those whose loved ones laid their lives down in
the efforts of saving others and for the opportunity for me to do the same. We love you dad, and you
will live on forever in our hearts.
How you can help
Donations
Silvanus Foundation is a 501c (3) nonprofit organization (EIN# 88-0820710). We need your support to make a better world.
Make a Donation:
1. Zelle to: gosilvanus@gmail.com
2. Mail check to:
Silvanus Foundation
1669 Hollenbeck Ave., STE2-166, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Volunteers
Welcome students and adults to be volunteers to support our charity event. We can sign the high school community servcie volunteer hours. Thank you for your support!
Sponsorship
Welcome any Corporate or orgnaization to join our partner and sponsorship program
Did you know?
California hit by record-breaking fire destruction: ‘Climate change is real, it’s bad’. We need to do something to save our world..........
Contact us
E-mail: support@silvanusfoundation.org
gosilvanus@gmail.com
Address: 2108 N St, STE N, Sacramento, CA 95816
Mailing Address: 1669 Hollenbeck Ave., STE 2-166,
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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