Richard “Dick” McCall and his wife, Barbara, shared a lifelong commitment to strengthening the Newton community through generosity, leadership, and service. Following Dick’s service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, the couple returned to Newton, where they built their life together and became deeply invested in the community they proudly called home.

The McCalls’ impact reached across numerous local organizations and causes. Dick served on many community boards, including Prairie View Mental Health Center, Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF), and the Newton Medical Center Foundation. He was also a dedicated member of the Newton Lions Club for more than 50 years, delivered Meals on Wheels for three decades, and played a leadership role in fundraising efforts for important community projects, including Newton’s tornado sirens, Newton High School, and NMC. Together, Dick and Barbara demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life in Newton and ensuring a stronger future for generations to come.

Their dedication to philanthropy extended to charitable giving through the Greater Newton Community Foundation, now known as Central Kansas Community Foundation. At a pivotal time in the foundation’s early history, the McCalls established a charitable fund, demonstrating their confidence in the organization’s mission and future. Through Dick’s service on the CKCF Board of Directors, he became increasingly passionate about creating a lasting legacy for the community he and Barbara loved. Their commitment culminated in a planned gift that ensured their generosity would continue beyond their lifetimes, providing ongoing support to the charitable organizations and causes that mattered most to them.

The McCalls’ story is a powerful reminder that a lifetime of service, leadership, and charitable giving can leave an enduring mark on a community. Today, their legacy continues through the organizations they supported and the charitable gifts they thoughtfully put in place. One of the greatest honors of community foundation work is carrying forward the intentions of donors like Dick and Barbara, stewarding their generosity and ensuring their values continue to make a difference for generations to come.

November 14 – Burrton Community Foundation Small Town Shindig

The Burrton Community Foundation is hosting a Small Town Shindig on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Son Wray Ranch, Newton. Doors open at 5:00pm. This annual fundraiser will support the Burrton Impact Fund and will go towards outdoor enhancements for the community.

There will be a silent and live auction, a meal catered by Blue Moon Caterers, and entertainment from 1 Piano 2 Much Fun!



Ticket Costs: $100 per person; a Table of 6 for $575; or a table of 8 for $750.

Imagine the future.

Hello from the community foundation!

We are honored to work with so many of you who have already established a fund at the Central Kansas Community foundation, with one our affiliates, or supported a community foundation initiative. We’re also excited to be talking with lots of individuals, families, and businesses who are exploring how to get involved with the community foundation to organize charitable giving and make a difference in the causes you care about. Thank you!

Year-end is getting closer, which means charitable giving is likely showing up more often in your inbox, your mailbox, and your conversations with tax and estate planning advisors. The community foundation is always happy to help you cut through the noise with practical ideas for charitable giving. 

It’s a whirlwind: Sorting through year-end charitable giving tips

Year-end giving advice is everywhere—but which decisions really deserve your attention? We’ve boiled it down to five action steps to help you focus on what you want to accomplish, which assets you give, the new 2026 tax rules, opportunities involving your IRA, and why now is the time to get started.

High fives for IRAs, QCDs, and charitable planning

IRAs and other retirement accounts can be powerful charitable planning tools, but the rules can be confusing. We’re sharing five important things to know about QCDs and retirement assets—plus a bonus reminder about how the community foundation can work alongside you and your advisors.

Trust in action: Your favorite nonprofits know what they need

What if one of the best ways to support your favorite nonprofits is to trust the people closest to the work? We’re taking a practical look at trust-based philanthropy, including unrestricted and multi-year giving, listening to nonprofits, and ways the community foundation can help you put these ideas into action.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to work together as you support the causes and organizations that matter to you. Please reach out anytime—we’d love to hear what you’re thinking about as year-end approaches and learn how we can help.

Warmly,

Angie Tatro, CEO