In the mid-1990s, a group of Vail valley friends whimsically invested in a search for gold treasure supposedly hidden in the Philippine Islands. As the search stretched over the years, it was often the subject of jokes and somewhat wistful conversations about what everyone would do with the money, IF it were ever found. A few years ago, one of the group, David Haakenson, dreamed the gold was discovered. However, since the treasure was originally stolen and therefore "tainted", the dream directed a portion be used to start a charitable foundation to give something back to the community. The organization was to be called "Swift Eagle" and its purpose would be to swiftly help those in need in Eagle County. For David, the dream had an amazing connection, not only to the gold but to his childhood friend Phil Jackson (former coach of the L.A. Lakers and Chicago Bulls). While in the NBA, Phil had given basketball clinics in South Dakota on a Sioux Indian Reservation, where he'd been given the name Omaku Wamble (oom-ah-koo wam-blee), Sioux for Swift Eagle. Because the dream was so vivid, David kept thinking about it and finally shared it with his friends and fellow investors. Intrigued, the group, which had a tradition of celebrating birthdays together, decided they should stop buying birthday presents and instead donate the money to a fund to start the Swift Eagle Charitable Foundation. David also told Phil about his dream, and Phil, a believer in the karma of dreams, agreed to be its figurehead and honorary chairman. Inspired by a dream, the Swift Eagle Charitable Foundation is again a dream: that a small group of very ordinary people can make a difference in its community, whether by helping just one or many.     FOUNDERS   David and Pat Hamilton Haakenson Cathy and Ralph Dockery Valerie and Darell Wegert Fred and Loraine Haslee Ginny and Craig Snowdon Stewart and Susan Eves John and Chris Boles Debbie McClenahan Doug and Jody Talbot Jean and Hawkeye Flaherty Phil Jackson   BOARD OF DIRECTORS   Dave Haakenson President Cathy Dockery Secretary Valerie Wegert Treasurer Fred Haslee Board Member Ginny Snowdon Board Member Stew Eves Board Member John Boles Board Member