Elizabeth Kinch Generosity 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 Christmas Party and recognized at the 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.
Elizabeth Kinch
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.”
Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award Recipients
Making a Difference
Rick & Barbara Hemphill
2023 Generosity Award Recipients
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.
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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 Landers
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.
Do you know someone who makes a difference in the Derby area? Click the button below to nominate them for the 2022 Elizabeth Kinch Generosity Award.