Beano Solomon, community steward, shares philanthropy philosophy

Beano Solomon in Europe. Photo: Solomon Family

PARK CITY, Utah — Waving at the spectator-families lining Main St. at the Miner’s Day Parade on Labor Day, will be Beano Solomon, the Park City Rotary Club Co-Volunteer Citizen of the Year.

Solomon was given the honor, in part, because of her family’s $1 million pledge earlier this month, to further affordable housing in and around Park City. Her daughter-in-law, Jenn Solomon, owns and operates the Park City Yoga Collective, and finding housing options for her yoga employees has become increasingly challenging. Instructors not only work at their studio in Kimball Jct. but some teach for local elite sports teams, school groups, and even go into jails to share their knowledge and wisdom of yoga with inmates.

A meeting of the minds and of the hearts among Solomon, her child Virginia, and Jenn brought the bright idea to contribute to the ongoing efforts to secure workforce housing in the community, and for the community. Virginia, who is an Art Department leader at the University of Utah, sees students’ and staffs’ similar struggles.

Solomon credits her upbringing with her philanthropy philosophy, telling TownLift,

“Growing up, my siblings and I saw our parents doing all kinds of little things locally, no fanfare, just take care of your community. So, I choose to do the best I can for my community, rather than global issues. I like to take on a problem I can solve. I can’t solve climate change, I can’t solve world hunger, however,  I can work on those issues in my own town, in my my own community.”

Shortly after Solomon arrived in Park City 22 years ago, she spearheaded the Feasibility Study which resulted in the eventual building of the Park City Hospital. Not only do we now have a hospital in town, she points out, but it employs hundreds of people, most of whom need affordable housing. 

In recent years, she founded and implemented the namesake Solomon Fund which envisions a community where all children have the opportunity to be active and engaged through sports and recreation. Inclusivity is the goal.

Beano said she’s honored to be named the Co-Volunteer Citizen and riding in the parade is a cool part of that distinction. She’ll be the one going down Main on Monday in a Mini-Cooper driven by her friend Richard Pohl. In the past, she’s proudly walked the parade route with the Park City Community Foundation, so getting to drive it will be fun for her.