Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award

About This Award
Current Honoree
Past Honorees
Nomination Form

About This Award

Each year the Derby Community Foundation will recognize an individual for his/her generosity in the Derby area by awarding the Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award. The award recipient will be honored at the Foundation’s annual gala. The Generosity Award recipient will receive a gift basket provided by the Derby Recreation Commission and the opportunity to award a $500 grant to the charity of his/her choice.

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About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kinch was instrumental in the creation of the Derby Community Foundation and was generous in all aspects of her life, so the Derby Community Foundation chose to memorialize her generous spirt through the Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award. Elizabeth’s longtime friend, Becky Loosen, said it best in an article that appeared in the Derby Informer:

“The one word that I think describes Elizabeth is that she was generous. She was generous with her time, she was generous with her financial assets, she was generous with her love, and that included her family, her friends and certainly the community of Derby. I would like for her to be remembered for her generous spirit, her love of the community and being a role model for what it means to give back to the community.”

Current Honoree

Susan Newman and Sharon Price

2025 Generosity Award Recipients

Susan Newman and Sharon Price have given extraordinary service to our community. As co-chairs of the Woodlawn United Methodist Thrift Shop, they have provided dedicated leadership, most notably guiding the Thrift Shop through an expansion that has strengthened its reach and impact. Their compassion for others, collaborative leadership style, and long-standing commitment to volunteerism embody the true spirit of generosity. Through their work, they continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and students throughout our community.

Click here to view a short video highlighting Susan and Sharon and why they are deserving of this award.

Past Honorees

Janet Sprecker

2024 Generosity Award Recipient

Janet Sprecker is a long-time Derby resident serving as a dedicated volunteer and advocate. She has been an active force in several organizations, including the Board of Education, Derby Education Foundation and Pando Initiative. Her passion for education and commitment to support student success are qualities that make her a remarkable leader and deserving of this honor.

Rick & Barbara Hemphill

2023 Generosity Award Recipient

Rick and Barb Hemphill are longtime Derby residents and business owners who have demonstrated consistent support for so many worthy endeavors, including financial and sponsorship support of the Derby Community Foundation, Derby Historical Society, and Kansas Food Bank. Avid Shocker Basketball Fans, Rick has served on the Wichita State University Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization Board of Directors. He also served on the Community Foundation Grant Committee for 6 years. Barb is a member of the Derby Rotary Club. For many years, the Hemphill’s have quietly provided support for education, food security, job training and countless other areas. They demonstrate their generosity through selfless acts of kindness and their dedication to improving the lives of others.

Rob McDonald

2022 Generosity Award Recipient

“Rob McDonald knows no stranger and gives 110% to everything he does. Rob has been known to go out of his way to help total strangers, even when it’s someone he knows he’ll never see again,” said DCF Executive Director Theresa Hearn. “He is compassionate and full of integrity, volunteering in Derby for multiple organizations.” Some of those organizations listed included Derby Rotary Club (as past president), Derby Free Spirits, the CJ Seitz Memorial Foundation, One Degree Compass, Derby Community Foundation and more.

Colene Read

2021 Generosity Award Recipient

We once heard it said, that if something is good for Derby, you can bet that Colene is out there supporting it. Colene was selected for exemplifying generosity in various aspects of her life including her work with Derby Community Family Services, volunteering with her therapy dog, and serving on the Derby Chamber of Commerce Board.

Jean Garinger

2020 Generosity Award Recipient

Generous is the first word that most people would use to describe Jean Garinger, recipient of the Derby Community Foundation 2020 Generosity Award. “Generous is her lifestyle. She sees need and doesn’t wait for someone else to come to the aid. Jean is the first to step up and she gives without any hesitation,” said Lisa Woolsey who nominated Garinger for the award.

Ken Lyerla

2019 Generosity Award Recipient

Ken Lyerla is known for uncommon acts of generosity and kindness nearly every day. He donates time, funds and printing services to countless organizations. Customers who are conducting a job search find that Lyerla doesn’t charge for making copies of résumés – he does ask that recipients of this free copy work come back to let him know when they are gainfully employed – for no other reason than to celebrate this success.

Brody Morton

2018 Generosity Award Recipient

Seven-year-old Brody Landers took the Generosity Challenge by providing lunch with his own money to the Derby Police Department officers to thank them for all they do to keep Derby safe. Brody was selected from fourteen Generosity Challenge participants to receive one of the 2018 Generosity Awards.

Verus Bank

2018 Generosity Award Recipient

Verus Bank, now Citizens Bank of Kansas, took the Generosity Challenge by empowering their Derby employees to "change the world" through a Pay-It-Forward campaign. Verus Bank was selected from fourteen Generosity Challenge participants to receive one of the 2018 Generosity Award.

Ben Ray

2017 Generosity Award Recipient

Pastor Ben Ray at First Presbyterian Church wears many hats in the Derby community: an advocate for the Derby school system, Chaplain for the Derby Police Department, member of the Derby Ministerial Fellowship, and senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Derby. Ray and his congregation coordinate the annual Police Banquet, which honors the uniformed men and women who serve the City of Derby.

Dave Peebler

2016 Generosity Award Recipient

Dave Peebler is a "regular" at Derby events, typically seen with his video camera in hand. Peebler generously lends his videography skills to local organizations, including the Derby School District, City of Derby, Derby Community Foundation, Derby Community Coalition Promoting Healthy Choices, Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, Child Start, and Raise My Head Foundation.

Becky Robinson

2015 Generosity Award Recipient

Becky Robinson has been the "face of" the Derby Community Coalition Promoting Health Choices since the group's inception in 2007. The DCCPHC was founded to fill the gap when Safe and Drug Free Schools funding was eliminated. Becky has served as DCCPHC Board Chair and Vice Chair. Two initiatives of the DCCPHC in which Becky has played a vital role are Summer Fest and After Prom.

Carol Keller

2014 Generosity Award Recipient

Carol exemplifies generosity with the time and talents that she commits as a volunteer with the Derby Free Spirits, a local recreational program for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Carol has been the driving force for the Derby Free Spirits since this group formed in 1983. As a physical therapist, Carol is a perfect fit for this organization.

Nominations

Do you know someone who makes a difference in the Derby area? Click the button below to nominate them for the Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award. Please remember the candidate:

Must live, work, or volunteer within the Derby school district boundaries.
Must exhibit an uncommon act of generosity within the last 12 months that reflects the mission of the Derby Community Foundation.
Has no age limit.
May be an individual, a civic group, organization, or group of individuals.
May have provided an act of generosity in any form, not only financial.

Click Here for the Nomination Form