Carlla Pike will be honored with a reception co-hosted by Legacy Regional Community Foundation and Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.  In addition to the Spirit of Humanity presentation, the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce will dedicate the newly remodeled meeting room, Pike’s Place, with a ribbon cutting.

Pike is the ninth recipient of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award.  “Where there is a need, she will be one of the first in line to help anyway she can,” stated Yazmin Wood, Legacy Foundation CEO, “A lifelong resident of Cowley County, Carlla has been a dedicated community philanthropist.  She was so gracious and humble when I told her she was selected for the award.”  The come-and-go reception will be held from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, 106 South Summit St, in Arkansas City, with the presentation occurring at approximately 5:45 p.m.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Carlla Pike credits her community involvement to her very dedicated, late husband, Lawrence G. Pike.  Carlla shared that Larry could see things were needed in the community where she didn’t.  He would tell her, “Carlla, this is important.”  He taught her how to be involved and together they stepped in to fill the need.

Carlla grew up near Maple City on the state line attending Kings School until moving to Arkansas City schools in 6th grade.  Carlla’s early community involvement was in 4-H and Maple City Community Church.  Carlla and Larry were high school sweethearts that married and together raised three children, grew a successful business providing employment to many individuals, and looked for opportunities to be of service.

Carlla loves doing things for people, but prefers to stay in the background.  Her list of community involvement and support is long including the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Ark City Board member, Soroptimist, Rotary, P.E.O., Arkalalah Queens Committee, and Youth Leader for the First Baptist Church.  Additionally, charitable projects like SCK Health, The Burford, and City of Arkansas City have benefited from her generous support.  But it was her nominator that perhaps knows her best stating, “Carlla’s heart is with children.  She donates to the Cowley County Children School supplies, Santa’s Kids at Christmas, and area food pantries.”

The Legacy Foundation board of directors established the “Spirit of Humanity” award in October 2016 when celebrating the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary.  It is the desire of the board of directors to recognize community members that inspire by their action the vision of Legacy Regional Community Foundation that creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, instilling informed leadership and connecting donors to the critical needs of the region.  The first Spirit of Humanity was awarded to Sid Regnier. Subsequent awardees include Tom & Mari Wallrabenstein (2017), Phil & Mary Jarvis (2018), Glen & Louise Stevenson (2019), Karen Zeller (2020), Bill & Belinda Mueller (2021), Wayne Hamilton (2022) and Lynne Hunter (2023).

Nelson Mandela is credited with saying, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.  It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  Carlla Pike is another stellar example of Mandela’s ideal.

Lynne Hunter will be honored with a reception given by the Legacy Foundation on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Hunter is the eighth recipient of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award.  “Her volunteerism and her advocacy for those impacted by poverty and trauma are inspiring. Her actions in civic leadership by stepping-up and stepping-in is vital for the ideals of Legacy’s mission to become a reality,” stated Yazmin Wood, Legacy Foundation CEO, “Lynne was overwhelmed when I told her that she was nominated and selected for this year’s award.  She tried to tell me she isn’t special and that everyone can do what she does, but we think differently.  She is right that many “can do,” but she IS DOING.”  The come-and-go reception will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm at Legacy Foundation, 1216 Main, in Winfield. Everyone is invited to attend.

Lynne Hunter experienced a protected and privileged childhood.  It was through her decades of teaching high school that Lynne’s view of her community and her world was transformed.  She likes hands-on helping.  She also has a strong faith.  Passages in Isaiah 58 help to exemplify Lynne’s current life perspective, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

Hunter just quietly goes about her work.  She tries to shine a light on the issues and not on herself.  Her efforts revolve around health and healthy choices, addressing food insecurity, helping those in poverty, and assistance for immigrants.  Her drive for clean water, clean air and a healthy future for children has found her engaged in environmental activism since the mid-80s.  Says Lynne, “I love America.  I love retirement.  I love that I had a career and a church that taught me about loving everyone.  I am humbled by the privilege that allows me to help with this ministry.”

The Legacy Foundation board of directors established the “Spirit of Humanity” award in October 2016 when celebrating the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary.  It is the desire of the board of directors to recognize community members that inspire by their action the vision of Legacy Foundation that creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, instilling informed leadership and connecting donors to the critical needs of the region.  The first Spirit of Humanity was awarded to Sid Regnier. Subsequent awardees include Tom & Mari Wallrabenstein (2017), Phil & Mary Jarvis (2018), Glen & Louise Stevenson (2019), Karen Zeller (2020), Bill & Belinda Mueller (2021), and Wayne Hamilton (2022).

Nelson Mandela is credited with saying, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.  It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  Lynne Hunter is another stellar example of Mandela’s ideal.

Bill and Belinda Mueller were honored with a reception given by the Legacy Foundation on November 9, 2022.  The Muellers are the sixth recipients of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award.  “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize Bill and Belinda’s generosity in our community,” stated Yazmin Wood, Executive Director of Legacy Foundation, “Their philanthropic work, civic leadership and volunteerism truly inspire the vision of Legacy Foundation in action.”  The come-and-go reception will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm at Legacy Foundation 1216 Main, in Winfield.  Everyone is invited to attend.

When people speak of Bill and Belinda Mueller several adjectives are often in use - approachable, unpretentious, down-to-earth, servant leaders.  These are just a few of the characteristics that moved the Legacy Foundation Board of Directors to select them to receive the 2021 Spirit of Humanity Award.

The Mueller’s story is the thing about which movies are made.  City girl meets farm boy.  Introduced through mutual friends in Washington DC, and once she (Belinda) gets over the fact that he (Bill) wore cowboy boots, they realize it is a match made in heaven.

Bill grew up the son of the Sheriff with a strong connection to the land.  He followed his father into law, going to Washburn University, studying Law, History and Political Science.  He joined the Air Force and served a year in Vietnam.   While in the Air Force Bill was part of the Office of Special Investigations.  His service led to the post-military position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and took him to Houston.  Returning to Kansas he served with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for twenty-five years, eventually moving home to Cowley County where he has been able help with family and the farm.

Belinda grew up a city kid, oldest of three.  She attended five elementary schools and three high schools.  The constants in her life were family, church, and Girl Scouts where she learned what it is to be a part of something larger than her.  She got a taste of rural life on her grandparent’s dairy farm in upstate New York.  The farm is where her connection to the land and her work ethic were formed.  Some of her fondest memories are being there with her extended family.  Playing with cousins.  Tending the big garden.  Gathering the cattle.  Peaches.  Though Belinda studied Education at the University of Maryland it was her administrative career in government agencies – Food & Drug Administration, Customs/Homeland Security, Soil Conservation/Natural Resources, and at the Wichita Veterans Administration Hospital – that shaped her world view.

Together, Bill and Belinda continue their lives of service improving this place they call home.  From the Presbyterian Church to the Cowley County Historical Society to Cowley County Extension Council and the Winfield Saddle Club, you will find the fingerprints of the Muellers.  Whether its serving on the Ark City Presbyterian Manor’s Mission Committee, filling the role of P.E.O. Chapter CU President, raising funds for Alzheimer’s, or holding wildflower tours on the farm, their generosity of time, leadership and resources is graciously shared.

“The Muellers are very approachable and enjoy visiting with all citizens of Cowley County.  I am amazed at the number of people they know and call by name when I see the Muellers in a crowd,” the nominator said, “Bill and Belinda make their contributions, both service and financial, in a very quiet, unassuming, and understated way.”

When asked his advice to grow philanthropy in our community, Bill offered these three ideas, “put down roots, keep connected, and get involved”.

The Legacy Foundation board of directors established the “Spirit of Humanity” award in October 2016 when celebrating the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary.  It is the desire of the board of directors to recognize community members that inspire by their action the vision of Legacy Foundation that creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, instilling informed leadership and connecting donors to the critical needs of the region.  The first Spirit of Humanity was awarded to Sid Regnier. Subsequent awardees include Tom & Mari Wallrabenstein (2017), Phil & Mary Jarvis (2018), Glen & Louise Stevenson (2019) and Karen Zeller (2020).

Nelson Mandela is credited with saying, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.  It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  The Muellers are a stellar example of Mandela’s ideal.

Louise Stevenson and her late husband, Glen, were honored with a reception given by the Legacy Foundation on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.  The Stevensons are the fourth recipients of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award.  “We were thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize The Stevenson’s generosity in our community,” stated Yazmin Wood, Executive Director of Legacy Foundation, “Their philanthropic work, civic leadership and volunteerism truly inspires the vision of Legacy Foundation in action.”  The come-and-go reception was held at Joseph’s Storehouse located at 424 North Main, Burden.

            In a recent interview when asked how they came to be community-minded and philanthropic, “We don’t feel like we did anything that anyone else wouldn’t have done,” replied Louise, “We just cared about the people.”  Glen and Louise (Eastman) Stevenson were both born and raised in Cowley County.  The Stevensons were nearly lifelong residents of Cowley County until two house fires precipitated moves to Derby and Rose Hill.  They chose to spend the years of their retirement serving the communities in the county they love and call home.

            Following graduation from Winfield High School, Glen began a 42-year career at Cessna Aircraft.  He often volunteered his time with various organizations supporting young people, such as Junior Achievement and coaching youth sports.  Also a Winfield High School graduate, Louise devoted herself to raising their four children and participating in their activities including serving as Room Mother and Boy Scout Den Mother.  Through the years, Louise held various jobs in retail and banking developing talents she would later put to work through her volunteerism.

            Upon retirement, Louise began to volunteer her time at a small thrift store in Burden with others from her church family of Tisdale United Methodist Church.  Using her vast knowledge of retail sales and her penchant for organization, Louise helped Joseph’s Storehouse become a thriving business.  In order for it to provide for community needs, it became necessary for the store to expand.  That is when Glen stepped in, helping to secure a location and kick off a successful fundraising campaign.  The new building was constructed – debt free – at 424 North Main, Burden.

            Glen served as President of the Board of Directors while Louise managed the store for over 17 years.  “They worked tirelessly as a team, never seeking praise or recognition for themselves,” wrote the nominator, “they worked to insure that Joseph’s Storehouse remained true to its purpose to respond to distress calls and to create communities of love, justice, mercy, health, wholeness and hope.  Glen and Louise Stevenson have been active and involved, setting a good example and making a positive impact on their community.”

            Sadly, Glen passed away in May 2019.  Louise remains active on the Board of Directors and is available to help in the store when needed.  The legacy of their work lives on as Joseph’s Storehouse continues meeting the needs of individuals and families in eastern Cowley County and beyond.

            The Legacy Foundation board of directors established the “Spirit of Humanity” award in 2016.  It is the desire of the board of directors to recognize community members that inspire by their action the vision of Legacy Foundation that creates a stronger future for our area by building endowments, providing informed leadership and connecting donors to the critical needs of the region.  Nelson Mandela is credited with saying, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.  It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  The Stevensons are a significant example of people that have made a difference in the lives of others, especially in Cowley County.

Tom and Mari Wallrabenstein were honored with a come-and-go reception given by the Legacy Foundation on Thursday, March 1, 2018.  The Wallrabensteins are the recipients of the second “Spirit of Humanity” Award.  Sid Regnier of Arkansas City was the first awardee.

When asked how they came to be community-minded and philanthropic Tom and Mari - almost in unison - answered “Heritage and a lifetime of serving in the church.”  It takes only a little time talking with The Wallrabensteins to get a sense of their lifetime partnership as one picked up the thought of another and continued the story.  “Life is a mosaic – church, family, work – coming together to create an undergirding with the individual pieces creating a picture and philosophy for living,” they continued, “theology, and the application of theology, helps individuals to be service-minded as awareness of the needs and opportunities to help those around you grow.”

Tom stated, “With a call to service you end up seeking out opportunities – organizations and causes – that enliven your interests to become a part of something bigger.  Sometimes you are asked to serve; other times you seek the situation.”  “Throughout life there are choices,” Mari finished, “We made the active choice in retirement to continue to devote time and energy to service in the community in which we live.”

Raised in California, Tom’s family took in others during the war.  His mother found a family sitting on a curb.  They had lost their housing.  She brought them home to live with her family.  Friendships were formed.  His family was active in the church.  It was there he learned of the needs of a local congregation, the denomination around the world, and concern about neighbors.

Mari remembers a life of giving through examples in her family, too.  Her grandmother made pots and pots of stew to feed orphans in Blackwell (OK).  And, when the family moved to Eugene (OR) their resources stretched to foster and support international students.

The Wallrabensteins shared that their life together has been a journey – literally and figuratively.  Both Tom and Mari came to Winfield as transfer students to attend Southwestern College.  Following graduation, they lived the “gypsy life” of the Methodist Church moving to places like eastern Orange County (CA) to start a church, then Hawaii, and back to the mainland in Flagstaff (AZ).  Eventually, Kansas called and Tom started alumni work with Southwestern College.  Next was service in a series of Kansas churches in Sedan, Oswego, and Monticello.  During a sabbatical year, The Wallrabensteins visited the United States mission projects.  In each community they worked together to make a difference.

Tom and Mari chose Winfield when retiring.  Here Tom found a place where he could reach out beyond himself and have a greater impact than was possible in the San Diego of his youth.  Joining Rotary in the 1960s, Tom continues as an active member.  A member of the founding steering committee of Winfield’s Habitat for Humanity, Tom has built many houses over the years.  Additionally, Legacy Foundation was fortunate to benefit from Tom’s experience as a board member.

Mari has been active in P.E.O.-Chapter HK, a women’s philanthropic and education organization, for nearly forty years.  In addition to past service on the Legacy Foundation board of directors, Mari continues to serve on the Grants Committee making recommendations regarding many projects and organizations seeking funding.  And, Mari volunteers with Winfield Community Food Pantry.

Mari learned long ago the work that can be accomplished with a foundation.  With a foundation, many little things come together to create a greater impact.  The Wallrabensteins are generous people giving time, talent and treasure to be a loving neighbor in the world and they are gracious to credit the connection with friends and acquaintances that has made their work possible.

Tom and Mari are a significant example of people that have made a difference in the lives of others, especially in Cowley County.