Ken Lyerla, owner of Ken’s Printing and Copying and longtime Derby resident, received the 2019 Derby Community Foundation Generosity Award. Lyerla was recognized at the annual DCF Christmas Party in December along with 2 other nominees. Each year the DCF recognizes an individual, business or group for generosity in the Derby area by awarding the Generosity Award. This is the sixth year for the awards program; the past recipients serve as the Award Selection Committee. As the award recipient, Lyerla received a personalized prize package and the opportunity to award a $500 grant to the local charity of his choice. Lyerla chose to award his grant to the Derby Giving Circle to support the project which provides a take-home book to every Derby area second grade student every month of the school year. Ken Lyerla commits uncommon acts of generosity and kindness nearly every day. He donates time, funds and printing services to countless organizations, including Derby Community Foundation, St. Mary’s Church, Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Rotary Club of Derby, Knights of Columbus, Derby Recreation

Commission—to name a few. Customers who are conducting a job search find that Lyerla doesn’t charge for making copies of resumes—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. Nancy Berry, Lyerla’s nominator and longtime employee, related a story about Lyerla standing in a grocery store checkout line when the woman in front of him, who had a young child with her, was unable to pay her entire bill. Lyerla immediately responded by insisting on paying the balance of the bill, while also adding a little extra “goodie” for the young child. About a week after this encounter, Lyerla returned to the grocery store and was stopped by the young cashier who witnessed the act of generosity. The cashier told Lyerla that he was so impressed by the kind act that the cashier decided to mow the lawn for his elderly neighbor. Lyerla asked the cashier how he felt after mowing the lawn and the response was: “GREAT!” Lyerla breaks into a smile when he relays this story. Berry goes on to say that she could write volumes about Lyerla’s acts of

kindness and good deeds which may not seem “earth shattering,” but make a great difference to those who are on the receiving end. “We are very pleased to honor Ken Lyerla with this award,” said Ken Mulanax, 2019 DCF Board of Directors Chair. “He has done a tremendous amount of wonderful work for our community and he is truly deserving of the Generosity Award."

(continued on page 2)

PH (316) 788-9815WEB www.derbycf.org EMAIL admin@derbycf.org

Derby Community FoundationPO Box 372Derby, KS 67037

PRST STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDDERBY KS

PERMIT NO. 1207

Endowment Fund PartnersThe individuals and businesses listed below have pledged to assist with the continued work of the Foundation through generous gifts to the Operating Endowment and Grant Endowment Funds.

Legacy PartnersRay and Virginia Warren

Leading PartnersJohn and Linda Bode, BRG Precision ProductsThe Decarsky FoundationRick and Barbara Hemphill

Guiding PartnersBill and Nancy LuskBill and Reba Smith

Building PartnersBill and Reba Smith Tomp and Vicki DecarskyEmprise BankDan and Jan StrunkCitizens Bank of Kansas/Verus Bank

Founding PartnersMarsha and Bob AllenGeorge and Marion ArnoldCheryl and Larry BannonJames and Laura BranstetterDamm PharmacyDavid & Krista DrakeAnn and Pat EganEmprise BankEric and Kathy SextonJustin and Deyna SmithDan and Jan StrunkVerus BankKeith and Marsha VolzBetty and Fred Wilken

Board of DirectorsDion Avello, Retired Owner, Acme Litho & Envelope Co., Inc.Heather Bohaty, Superintendent, Derby USD 260David Drake, Veterinarian, Rainbow Valley Veterinary ClinicMargaret Fritzler, Consumer Loan Specialist, INTRUST BankKeith Humphrey, President/CEO, Jet AirwerksKen Mulanax, Retired, Sales and Marketing ManagerJulie Olmsted, Agent, Olmsted Insurance AgencyReba Smith, Co-Owner, Smith Family MortuariesElizabeth Stanton, REALTOR, Keller Williams Hometown Partners, LLCSusan Thompson, Chief Operations Officer, Citizens Bank of KansasChuck Warren, Partner, Warren Family LLCBob Wellemeyer, Retired Engineer, Cessna AircraftBetty Wilken, Community Volunteer StaffTheresa A. Hearn, Executive DirectorLindsi Berry, Assistant to the Executive Director

Ken Lyerla Named 2019 Generosity Award Recipient

Ken Lyerla designated his 2019 Generosity Award grant to the Derby Giving Circle Fund to provide books for Derby area 2nd graders.

What's New at Uncorked 2020? Guests attending Uncorked 2020 will enjoy several new additions to the event. A chance to win a $1,000 vacation voucher from Dream Vacations is the prize for an interactive game at Uncorked 2020. Every Uncorked guest will have a chance to participate in the game which has a Wonderland theme and involves mingling with other guests, searching for Wonderland characters, learning about the work of the Derby Community Foundation and having fun! Two photo booths will be available to attendees this year—a “traditional” photo booth complete with props and an instantaneous strip of photos; and a “portrait” photo booth with professional photographers

Barney Tull and Bill Fales (these photos will be available on the DCF Facebook and Twitter accounts one week after Uncorked). In addition to the 3 bars providing complimentary wine and beer, this year Uncorked will also have a cash bar for attendees who prefer mixed drinks. Back this year at Uncorked will be delicious appetizers, the popular Mystery Boxes, Silent Auction, Blind Bid Items, and Fund the Future Auction. Attending Uncorked is your chance to have a positive impact on the future of the place that we all call home—Derby, KS—by financially supporting the future efforts of the Derby Community Foundation.

Thank you for your support.

Tickets available at the Derby Welcome Center or online at www.derbycf.org. ($30 of ticket price is a tax-deductible donation)

Tickets: $75.00

BeveragesComplimentary Wine & Beer

*Cash bar available for mixed drinks*

Entertainment

FoodAppetizers and Desserts prepared by:Olive Tree & Truly Amazing Catering

Mystery Boxes, Wine Pull, Super Silent Auction, Two Photo Booths

& an Interactive Game

Event proceeds benefit the Derby Community Foundation

saturday, february 29 • 7:00 pmThe Venue at Madison Avenue Central Park

uncorked 2020

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Help Fund the Future at Uncorked 2020! When you raise your bidder number during the Fund the Future Auction at Uncorked 2020, you support feeding hungry children, comforting victims of domestic violence, enhancing parks and beautifying the community,

providing opportunities for healthier living, helping high school students earn technical certifications or college degrees and so much more. The auctioneer will present levels of support ($500, $250, $100, $75)

and ask you to “bid” at the level you choose. No bid is denied — everyone is a winner! This is your chance to support the mission of the DCF to enrich the quality of life in the Derby area.

Women For Women Program received 3 grants from the DCF $1,000-Garinger Agency Fund; $1,000-Decarsky Foundation Fund; $1,000-Kansas Health Foundation Fund

A variety of grants and scholarships were awarded through the Derby Community Foundation in 2019 (not an all-inclusive list).

**Community Enrichment Grants:Derby Public Library – Christmas in the Park..................$2,000Derby High School – Reality 101.......................................$1,000School Marathon Foundation – Swaney Elementary.........$500Derby USD 260 – Sign Language Splash........................$1,000 Victory in the Valley – Stitches for Hope.............................$500Derby Historical Society – Restroom Renovations..........$2,500Derby Senior Center – Technology Lab...........................$2,500**Kansas Health Foundation Fund Grants:Derby Senior Celebration 2019............................................$500After Prom 2019.....................................................................$500LEAD Derby............................................................................$500Derby High School – Leadership Academy.........................$250City of Derby – Stone Creek Disc Golf Baskets..............$2,000St. Andrew's Episcopal Church – Women for Women....$1,000 Girls on the Run – Program Scholarships........................$1,000Derby Senior Center – Derby Dash Scholarship Fund......$500 Girl Scouts of the Kansas Heartland – CPR/First Aid Training...........................................................$500**Miscellaneous Grants:Wichita Children’s Theatre Performances for 1st Graders...................................................................$5,000**with support from 2 generous, anonymous donorsDerby High School Theatre Department –Children's Theatre/Puppet Tour............................................$400

**Arlo and Charlotte Lindsey Kidneys for Life Memorial Fund:Rankin Family Fund –Cross of Glory Lutheran Church...........................................$340**Patty Anthony Memorial Fund:Special Olympics – Kansas (Derby Free Spirits)................$250

**Mike Burr Memorial Scholarship:Kayli Marczynski.....................................................................$280**Braxton Kooser Memorial Scholarship:Jayden Stanley........................................................................$300**Kermit Daum Scholarship:Katrina Mason.........................................................................$500**Ada Thoma & Melva Owens Memorial Scholarship:Skylar Howell..........................................................................$850 **Rotary Club of Derby Scholarship:Taylor Bauman, Maci Meitler, Brianna Reeves, Crew Squires..............................................................$4,000 total**Derby High School Multifaceted Student Scholarship:Harli Lowmaster...................................................................$1,000**Diana Unkel Memorial Music Scholarship:Chad Crittenden....................................................................$1,000**Colleen Zirkle Memorial Scholarship:The Independent School.....................................................$1,000**Riley Hilt Memorial Dance Scholarship:Katrina Quinones....................................................................$650**Decarsky Foundation Scholarship:Juliana Karagianis, Shelby Foster, Kathryn Drake, Lauren Eichman, Meaghan Mizak, Ryan Palmer, Samantha Hill, Emily Hightower, Haley Smith, Holly Mills, Karis Brown, Averi Baker, Skylar Howell, Erin Kooser, Daniela Loera, Harli Lowmaster.................................................................$61,500 total

New Program Receives Boost from DCF Grants

When Cheri Gage created the Women For Women organization through St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Derby in 2019, she turned to the Derby Community Foundation for assistance. Grants from three DCF funds combined to support this new initiative and provided the opportunity for Gage to apply (and receive) a matching grant from the Episcopal Diocese. Women For Women is an organization which provides direction and support for women seeking to obtain employment or change their current employment status. Through personalized coaching, the six-week program strives to ensure that each woman improves her

odds of getting a good job. There is no fee to participate in this program. Supporting Women For Women was a natural fit for the Decarsky Foundation Fund and the Garinger Agency Fund. Vicki Decarsky and Jean Garinger, administrators of these 2 funds, are passionate about community efforts to encourage and assist working women. Each fund contributed a $1,000 grant to Women For Women. A third grant of $1,000 was awarded from the DCF’s Kansas Health Foundation Fund, for a total of $3,000. Call 316-788-2595 or email saintandrewsderby@gmail.com for more information about Women For Women.

Ken Lyerla named 2019 Generosity Award Recipient (continued from page 1)

Derby Giving Circle is Collective Philanthropy What happens when a small group of like-minded, generous people decide to take on the role of “Derby’s Fairy Godmothers/fathers?” The answer is nothing short of magic. It all began in early August 2019 when local resident Cheryl Bannon started a group chat about pooling resources to benefit worthy causes. She introduced the idea of sponsoring elementary classes at Derby schools to provide books for students. A comment was shared in the group chat from a teacher who noted that some children come to school on book fair days and are visibly upset because they can’t participate, either because their parents aren’t readers or there is not extra money for books. Teachers also shared that having a home library expands vocabulary and reading skills—both important to the development of young children. Almost instantly, the positive responses came pouring in: “definitely yes to sponsor reading” “I’ll sponsor reading,” “I’ll sponsor a class,” “We want to contribute to the pot with others,” “We’ll sponsor a class.” With the overwhelming positive response, the idea snowballed into raising funds to provide one book a month throughout the school year for ALL local second graders. Each month of the school year, Scholastic Inc. makes available a $1.00 book to classroom teachers. The total number of second graders in Derby is 553 (USD 260-507; St. Mary School-40; Faith Lutheran School-6). To fund a book a month for the remaining 8 months of the school year, $4,424 needed to be raised. The Derby Community Foundation stepped in to suggest that what was happening was the formation of a Giving Circle. The definition of a Giving Circle is a form of participatory philanthropy where groups of individuals donate their own money to a pooled fund; decide together where to give – to what charity or project. In five short days, the Derby Giving Circle Fund was established with the Derby Community Foundation and with the help of a matching grant from the Decarsky Foundation Fund; the group raised the needed funds for this project. The group of givers wants to be anonymous. One of the donors

explained, “I’d like for kids to know that it doesn’t matter if we know the people who help us out in life…just that there are kind people left in this world who want to make others happy…even if they are total strangers.” The response from area second graders receiving their first book in September was delightful. Exclamations of “Wow!” and “That’s cool!” could be heard throughout area second grade classrooms as September’s book, “Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners” by Laurie Keller, was distributed to students. And what an appropriate first book for this initiative. The book synopsis reads: Mr. Rabbit's new neighbors are Otters. OTTERS! But he doesn't know anything about Otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends? Just treat otters the same way you'd like them to treat you, advises wise Mr. Owl. The Derby Giving Circle is a shining example of “treating others the same way you’d like them to treat you.” With the mission of “Find a Need: Fund a Need,” the Derby Giving Circle will continue to explore ways to collectively benefit the Derby area.

Second grade students at Pleasantview Elementary School received a new book in September from the Derby Giving Circle.

Also nominated for the 2019 Generosity Award were: Derby High School Football Team for their community service efforts; and Dixie Wachholtz for her active volunteerism at church, Swaney Elementary School, Derby Senior Center, Westview Manor, and the Derby Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Do you know someone who makes a difference in the Derby area? Nominate them for the 2020 Generosity Award. The nomination form may be found on the DCF website, www.derbycf.org.

**Decarsky Foundation Fund GrantsSt. Andrew's Episcopal Church – Women for Women....$1,000 Derby Giving Circle.............................................................$2,500 Career Technical Education Assistance Fund.................$5,000 **Garinger Agency Fund GrantsSt. Andrew's Episcopal Church – Women for Women....$1,000 Community Enrichment Grant Program Fund..................$1,000

Derby area second grade students are excited to receive a new book every month through the Derby Giving Circle.