Legacy Society Awards

By Becky Fitzgerald on June 1, 2016

Hilton. Hupe. Hawley. Current Meadowlark Hills resident Evelyn Hawley has had only one last initial since the day she was born in 1923, and learning about her career and knowing her contributions at Meadowlark Hills, other h-words and phrases come to mind: helpful, hard-working, high standards, hospitable. 

Evelyn, who worked for 26 years in Physical Facilities at Kansas State University and who has donated time and money to various Meadowlark Hills projects, was honored Monday, May 23, at the 14th annual LegacySociety Banquet sponsored by Meadowlark Hills Foundation. 

She was presented the  2016 Legacy Award by Board of Directors president and master of ceremonies Terry Arthur. The award recognizes persons who have given a lifetime of public service, financial contributions and volunteer efforts
to the Meadowlark Hills
community. 

Evelyn and her late husband, Bob Hawley, gave two major gifts in 2007 and 2008 to the Our Home, Our Health, Our Future capital campaign, one of which supported the creation of Kansas Room Pub & Lounge. Another major gift in 2009 prompted construction of a sidewalk on Meadowlark Road, extending from Meadowlark Valley to Kimball Ave.

The Good Samaritan Fund benefitted significantly for several years from the Hawleys’ generosity, and various Meadowlark Hills endeavors benefitted from Evelyn’s talents and energy. She delivered the weekly Messenger to cottage residents, served refreshments at Coffee Corner, developed a bluebird trail on campus, helped staff prepare promotional items for mailing and hand-addressed invitations to our community events.

Other award winners include Pam Oehme, who received the Margaret Wheat Spirit of Meadowlark Hills Award; First Baptist Church, the Good Samaritan Award recipient, and the Rev. Cam McConnell, who received the Joanna Lyle Excellence in Service Award. 

The spirit award honors a resident who embodies the spirit and person-directed culture of Meadowlark Hills. Pam’s previous work at Meadowlark Hills as a nurse, her dedication to family members who previously lived at Meadowlark and her and her husband, Fred’s, varied charitable giving through Meadowlark Hills Foundation caught the attention of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “A resident’s disability or address isn’t a barrier to her interest in his or her well-being,” noted Terry Arthur during the event.

First Baptist Church, one of Meadowlark Hills’ six founding churches, has offered support and guidance since before the community’s grand opening in 1980. In addition to providing office space for early administrators, hymnals for our first worship services and leaders for 30-plus years of Vespers, the church has faithfully donated more than $15,000 to the Good Samaritan Fund since 1999. 

Cam McConnell, senior pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, was unable to attend the event, so the Rev. Kati Collins accepted the service award on his behalf. For about 16 years, Rev. McConnell has facilitated a discussion group at Meadowlark Hills called “Newspaper & Bible”, and he’s officiated at Meadowlark Hills’ Sunday evening service one month annual for 15 years. 

Slightly more than 100 residents, staff, current and former board members and Legacy Society members attended this year’s event, which was held at the Bluemont Hotel. The Legacy Society includes those who have named Meadowlark Hills Foundation as a recipient of charitable giving through estate planning. Also, the Society welcomes donors who have given one-time or
cumulative gifts which total $25,000 or more.

Dr. Michael Wesch, associate professor of cultural anthropology at K-State, was the banquet speaker. For the past few spring semesters, Wesch’s undergraduate students have lived at Meadowlark Hills. He discussed the positive relationships students and residents have forged and shared a digital game and video students created after learning about the previous and current life experiences of residents.

If you’d like to know more about becoming a Legacy Society member, please contact Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director, at 323-3843.