Occupation: Retired senior partner tax lawyer.

Legacy: A tradition of family philanthropy dating back to 1877.

Inspiration: "I'm reminded more than daily that philanthropy drove my great-grandfather," says Hugo, whose ancestor David Haim Salas saved 60 American sailors from drowning on a sinking ship off of Venezuela in 1877, and sustained them at his own expense for nine months. He refused any reimbursement for his charitable deeds proclaiming: "I only did that which my God required of me." Likewise, Hugo's father, Mauricio de Castro, was a decorated fire chief who earned recognition for saving the city of Colón, Panama, from certain destruction in the 1930s. His charitable deeds helped transform Panama. He built its first childhood center, eliminated clubfoot disease form the region, and brought over 28 Jewish families from Germany, saving them from the Nazis.

Foundation involvement: Hugo was an active tax lawyer for 45 years and was very familiar with The Foundation's work in the community. "I always encouraged my clients and friends who had the means to do it, to establish a charitable fund with the Jewish Community Foundation", stated Hugo. Hugo has served as a Foundation Trustee and currently serves as an Advisory Board member. All told, Hugo de Castro, his wife, their four married daughters and many of their 13 grandchildren have lots of philanthropic stories to tell.

Family participation: Hugo encouraged his grandsons, Sam and Alex de Castro-Abeger to participate in The Foundation's Community Youth Foundation program, which offers high school students real-world philanthropic experiences. The group of students is given funds to allocate, go on site visits to nonprofit organizations and must determine together how to allocate the funds for the greatest impact.

Reflections: "Serving on the Community Youth Foundation wasn't something we were looking for," says Hugo's grandson, Sam de-Castro-Abeger. "But when my grandfather proposed it, we trusted him and respected his opinion." Adds his brother Alex: "I feel blessed that I have the ability and knowledge and the role models in my grandfather, my mother and my family in general-and our Jewish heritage. I feel blessed to have that background for giving."