A first trip to Grandfather Mountain in 1985 forever changed the course of Valerie Brehmer’s life. While living in California she came east to visit friends in Burnsville, N.C., and they brought her to Grandfather. She was “amazed at the vast amount of nature and the feeling of being on top of the world.” As she and her friends sat looking at the view, a raccoon crawled up into her lap and, as Valerie said, “I was sold and despite having to go back home to San Francisco, I continued to visit Grandfather Mountain each year until I could move to North Carolina.”
She and her husband Ken moved with their young daughter, Liesel, and the family began visiting the mountain frequently. From the time that Liesel was a child, her favorite place to go was the animal habitats at Grandfather. She had many conversations with the keepers over the years. Liesel reflects on those experiences saying, “As I got older, I began to appreciate how much being at Grandfather Mountain was like being around family, it was like coming home.”
Ken and Valerie have been long-time monthly donors, contributing throughout the year. They know that small amounts given each month add up to make a big difference for Grandfather Mountain. When GMSF launched the Legacy Society in 2025, the Brehmers knew that they wanted to join by giving a planned gift to the mountain to secure a lasting impact for the future. Valerie says the choice “was a no-brainer because Grandfather is our happy place, and we want to support it long after we are gone. I like to think that we will always play a small part in protecting the land and wildlife forever.”
Moving from California to North Carolina was a big decision, but for the Brehmers it was an easy one because they knew that they were coming home to Grandfather Mountain, a place they feel connected to and that they know is protected for the many generations to come.