2024 Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations

CKCF Staff, Affiliate Staff, and several board members, attended the 2024 Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations in Wichita on October 16 – 18, hosted by the Kansas Association of Community Foundations. This year’s theme was “Empower. Engage. Evolve. Community Foundations Shaping the Future.” This conference has gained national recognition and has been designed to meet the needs of both new and seasoned board members and staff in practical training to enhance their skills in all major areas of community foundation operations. With over 400 attendees, our staff and board members were able to connect with many community foundations from across the United States.

Chad Hughbanks

Associate Director, Hillsboro CF

Chad Hughbanks is a lifelong resident of Hillsboro, KS. He graduated from Hillsboro High School and attended Salina Area Technical College where he earned his Associate’s Degree in Commercial Art. With over 12 years of experience in customer service and sales, he has cultivated a strong ability to build lasting relationships. Prior to that, he honed his graphic design skills in both corporate and freelance settings. Chad has been a member of the Hillsboro Community Foundation (HCF) community for nearly four years. As a grant cycle reviewer for three years, he has had the privilege of serving twice as a community member and once as a board member. Since joining the HCF board in December 2023, he has been deeply involved in the organization’s match campaign and have coordinated numerous events.

Chad and his wife have two children; their son is in the second grade, and their daughter is a year and a half. He is committed to making a positive impact on the community where he grew up.

The Central Kansas Community Foundation held an Award Ceremony on August 27, highlighting the Central Kansas Kids FUNd, a testament to how ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions at the new Newton Public Library located in Newton, Kansas Lena Marie Haun, a Wichitan who began her career as a teacher, went on to hold several secretarial positions, including a 26-year tenure with the Dean of the College of Health
Professions at Wichita State University, retiring at the age of 78. Marie had a deep love for children and left a bequest of more than $600,000, which now permanently funds the KidsFUNd, supporting children’s charities across South Central Kansas.

Since 2012, her generous planned gift has provided numerous grants to children’s charities throughout Central Kansas and will continue to do so in perpetuity. The L. Marie Haun Charitable Fund for Children has awarded over $280,000 since 2012 to organizations focused on children’s behavioral research, child welfare, parenting education, and strengthening families.

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Ordinary People Making an Extraordinary Difference!

This year’s grant recipients were introduced by CKCF Board Members; Amy Budde, Allen Wedel, Jennifer Vogts, Keegan LeFevre, Rick McNary, and Tami Carlgren.

• Family Life Center of Butler County – Safer Smarter Kids Curriculum Update,
  Parent/Child Learning & Therapy Stations Built
• Peace Connections – Harvey County Circle of Hope
• Kansas Children’s Service League – Harvey and Marion Counties Family Engagement
• Families And Communities Together, Inc.- Marion County Substance Abuse
  Prevention Coalition’s “Too Good For Drugs” Education Program
• Safehope – Parent-Child Advocacy – Building Better Lives for Children and Youth
• Special Families – Lending Library Sensory Behavior
• Mirror Inc. – STAND
• Douglass USD 396 – Parents as Partners
• USD 484 Fredonia – Lunch & Learn

These organizations are recognized for their outstanding work and the significant impact they continue to make in their communities.

Macey Mueller
Associate Director,
Hastead Community Foundation

Macey was born and raised in Burden, Kan., but has proudly called Halstead home for almost a decade. She earned a degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and a masters in the same field from the University of Arkansas before embarking on a nearly 20-year communications and public relations career that has included work in higher education, advocacy and development. Most recently, Macey has worked as a freelance writer, contributing to several state and national agricultural publications on a monthly basis.

Macey is married to Josh, a fourth-generation farmer and rancher in Halstead, and together they have four children. The family stays busy raising cattle and crops, selling their beef direct to consumers and running their livestock auction barn in El Dorado, Kan.

Since moving to Halstead, Macey has been involved with several civic groups, nonprofits and USD 440. She looks forward to using her organizational and fundraising experience and her community connections to create visibility and growth for the Halstead Community Foundation.

Paige Barnes
Associate Director, Peabody CF

Paige was born and raised in Peabody, Kansas. She graduated from Peabody High School and received a degree in Mass Communications from Butler Community College.

She most recently served as the Social Services Director of Peabody Health and Rehab where she had many responsibilities including admissions and discharges, behavior management, facilitating resident council meetings and care conferences, and more. Paige also serves as a member of USD #398 school board and a highlight of her week is delivering meals on wheels for the senior center.

She has an immense love for children and seniors and is excited to learn more about the housing initiatives in Peabody to improve the community.

Paige currently resides in Peabody and enjoys spending time with her nieces. In her spare time, you can find her participating in all things outdoors including fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking or sitting on the porch enjoying the company of good friends.

What a successful scholarship season! CKCF and affiliates together granted $111,150 to 100 students from 58 competitive scholarship funds in the 2024 scholarship cycle. El Dorado Community Foundation had the largest amount of scholarships awarded at $28,200, and Halstead Community Foundation came in close behind, granting $21,900 and they also had the most open competitive scholarships this 2024 cycle and 16 scholarship recipients.

With the rising costs of education and other living expenses, scholarships are a vital component in educating the youth in our communities. It is not too late to speak with us about taking the first steps in establishing your own scholarship or adding your donation to an existing fund.

Did you know that scholarships & educational funds make up nearly 23% of funds held by CKCF? Your generosity makes a world of difference as you will see in the note below.

“My name is Quinn Houseman, I am a graduate of El Dorado High School, and I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University in the fall. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude upon being selected as a recipient of the George Trimble Special Need Fund for the Fall 2024 semester. Your generous support is not only seen as a financial aid, but as inspiration and encouragement to further my studies. This scholarship has significantly eased my financial burden and has allowed me to explore the capabilities of my education. Thank you once again for your generosity and investment in my future. I am truly honored.”

Thank you!

Kelly Azevedo
Fredonia Area Community Foundation,
Associate Director

Kelly Azevedo was born in Wichita and raised in California before moving to Fredonia in 2020. She holds a Bachelors in Business Management and Communications from Liberty University where she competed on the debate team. After ranking 4th nationally in her division for 3 years, Kelly transitioned to helping coach novice debaters and fell in love with teaching others how to succeed.

Kelly started her career in construction management and accounting working with firms around California where she lived to take care of aging grandparents. In 2009, she began working virtually for online businesses who needed structure and support but did not live locally.

For the past 15 years, Kelly has owned and managed a coaching and consulting business, working with hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over the world. Specializing in business systems, marketing and creating compelling stories, Kelly is excited to use her skills to share the message of the Community Foundation and grow its impact in Fredonia.

When she’s not working, Kelly is busy renovating her 120-year old home and training (or trying to!) her new dachshund puppy who loves Zoom calls and acting as the official office shredder of any paper that falls within his reach.

Julienne Erwin
Halstead Community Foundation,
Associate Director

I’m excited to join the Central Kansas Community Foundation team as the Associate Director of the Halstead Community Foundation. With an MPA in non-profit management, I am passionate about serving in the non-profit sector. My volunteer experience includes volunteering at Children’s Home Society of Florida, North Florida Legal Services, city wide special events such as the Chef Sampler and Brewfest, 2-1-1 Big Bend, and as an AmeriCorp VISTA. A combined 8 years (volunteer and employment) at 2-1-1 Big Bend fueled my passion to help others and concreted my resolve to create positive change in my community and beyond. I recently relocated to Kansas to be closer to my immediate family and it is such a joy to begin serving the Halstead community. When you see my smiling face, please don’t hesitate to say hello. You never know what we might accomplish together!

Erin Hein
Associate Director, Hillsboro CF

Erin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Kansas.  She graduated from Hillsboro High School and attended Tabor College.

She most recently served in a coordinator role where she wrote and managed grants, educated children and families on a variety of safety topics, and organized community events.  She is involved in several coalitions/boards including the Hillsboro Community Child Care Center Board where she serves as secretary.  She is passionate about working with local agencies and individuals to help make our community better.

Erin currently lives in Hillsboro with her husband and two daughters.  She enjoys attending the various activities that her children are involved in, and in her spare time, enjoys gardening and being outside.

Cal Pendergrass

Associate Director, Florence CF

Cal grew up in the small village of Mohawk NY and Graduated from Gregory B Jarvis Jr/Sr high school. Upon graduating High School Cal enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Fort Knox Kentucky for One Station Unit Training to become an M1 Armor Crewmember. Cal deployed to Kosovo KFOR 4B for peacekeeping operation in 2004-2005, and again to Iraq in 2005-2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. After returning to Germany Cal returned to Fort Knox KY to serve as a Tank Commander/Instructor for basic training Soldiers. Cal’s next duty station was in Fort Hood Texas where he deployed to Iraq again for the troop surge in 2008-2009. Cal was sent to Fort Carson Colorado in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-2011 in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Cal’s next duty station was Fort Polk Louisiana where he served as the Brigade Deployment Non-Commissioned Officer in the 162 nd Infantry Brigade (Tiger land). Cal moved to Fort Riley KS in 2014 and served as a Tank Commander with another rotation to the middle east. While at FT Riley he also served as a Platoon Sergeant, Protocol Events Coordinator, and capped off his time in the military as the 1st Infantry Division Barracks Program NCIOC.

Cal’s awards include:
Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, 7 Army Commendation Medals, 6 Army Achievement Medals, Valorous Unit Award, 5 Army good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal with 2 campaign Stars, Iraq Medal with Campaign Star, 2 NCOES Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, 5 Overseas Service Ribbons, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze service star, 2 NATO medals.

Cal also received the Honorable order of Saint George Medallion for demonstrating outstanding leadership, and exceptional teamwork while serving in Armor and Cavalry units.

Cal is currently serving on the Florence Kansas City Council, and is a member of the Marion VFW, and Florence American Legion.