Fund Vignettes

For decades, Eugene and Marcine Leighty were fixtures at Quincy University basketball games. Tucked into their floor seats, they cheered on the Hawks with the same devotion they poured into their lives together. Their love for QU basketball and the sport itself was also about the people, the community, and the moments that made it all unforgettable. Eugene, who grew up on a farm near Macomb, and Marcine, a Kahoka, Missouri native, met at Gem City Business College. It was in the study hall where Eugene first saw Marcine, sparking a conversation that would lead to a lifetime together. As much as they built a life together, they also built memories in the stands of Pepsi Arena. They traveled far and wide to support QU – even hopping on the QU fan bus all the way to Owensboro, Kentucky, for a triple-overtime thriller. They arrived back home at 4 a.m., but never regretted a second of it. Their dedication to the team didn’t go unnoticed. Identical twins Kate and Julia, standout QU players, always spotted the Leightys in the crowd and one day asked for their names. That simple exchange turned into something special. The Leighty’s took the twins out to dinner, eventually meeting their parents at a later date, forming a bond that lasted well beyond the final buzzer. So much so that when Marcine passed, the twins came to pay their respects, a testament to the deep connections the Leightys fostered through basketball. Eugene remains a devoted fan, continuing the tradition by attending games alongside the daughter he and Marcine shared. To honor their memories in a lasting way and to continue their impact and legacy, the Eugene and Marcine Leighty Fund supports QU men’s and women’s basketball. With their fund, the hope is that the program continues to flourish, just as they watched it do for so many years. The people, the friendships, and the community made every game feel like home. And thanks to their support, that spirit lives on.

For those who have built a life around farming, their land represents more than a job or a place. It’s a legacy, a source of pride, and a living symbol of their values. For Delford and Portia Richter, it also represents an opportunity to do good. With a goal to support future farmers and share their dedication to community, Delford and Portia Richter gifted a 234 acre farm to the Community Foundation in December of 2024 to establish an endowed scholarship fund. The Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship Fund ensures that students pursuing careers in agriculture have financial support to pursue their goals — and hopefully contribute their skills back to the community — for generations to come. Starting in the spring of 2025, this fund will plant seeds of opportunity for the future of farming, awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Pike and Calhoun Counties in Illinois. These students will have the chance to grow their skills at accredited institutions in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa. Preference will be given to students focusing on production agriculture — the lifeblood of rural communities. This scholarship honors those ready to carry forward the traditions, innovations, and hard work that keep our fields thriving and our communities strong. Farming wasn’t just work for Delford, it was a sunrise-to-sunset pursuit and passion. Now, the Richters’ values and legacy takes root in the next generation, cultivating dreams and sowing success through students in Pike and Calhoun Counties. Applications for the Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship, along with additional Community Foundation scholarships, are available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/scholarships.

Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore built a life grounded in hard work, unwavering faith, and a deep commitment to family. From humble beginnings, they created a legacy that now extends to future generations through the Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship Fund. Married for 71 years, Eldred and Evelyn’s story was one of grit and perseverance. Eldred learned the meaning of hard work early, guiding a one-horse plow at just eight years old. Together, the couple worked tirelessly on their family farm near Perry, Illinois, raising crops and livestock — hogs, pigs, cows, sheep, horses, and chickens. While their farm grew, so did their family, rooted in strong values. Evelyn was equally dedicated, spending countless hours tending to their large garden and nurturing their home with love. Their dedication paid off. Over the years, they accumulated land through steadfast effort. After Eldred and Evelyn’s passing, the family sold the farm. Choosing to honor Eldred and Evelyn’s legacy, their daughter Annelle Kirk and her husband, Don Kirk, established a scholarship to benefit students who too can create a legacy of hard work and family values. “When I’ve been blessed, I need to bless others," said Annelle Kirk. The scholarship supports a graduating senior from Griggsville-Perry High School, with preference given to those pursuing careers in agriculture, teaching, or technical trades. It can be applied toward tuition, room, board, fees, books, and related educational expenses. For Eldred and Evelyn’s daughter, Annelle, and her husband, Don, this fund represents more than financial assistance. It’s a tribute to a hardworking couple who believed in giving back. Through the Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship Fund, the Whitmore family's legacy of diligence, generosity, and faith will live on — one student, one opportunity, one future at a time.

Your generous gift will help us Celebrate, Commemorate and Educate our community with welcoming events and activities for everyone in Adams County.

Five years ago, I began my journey to the priesthood. During that time, I was blessed with the financial independence to move from my corporate career in the broadcast media industry and begin attending seminary full-time. Unfortunately, not all clergy are able to have that same experience.

Barb Drozdz fondly portrays her late husband, Jim, as an individual driven by a perpetual thirst for knowledge and personal growth. Describing him as an embodiment of passion, Barb emphasizes Jim's unwavering commitment to causes he held dear, going above and beyond to lend his support.

The Doc and Regina Preston Fund is dedicated to the goal of providing funds for purposes which promote the things Dwain and Regina dedicated their lives to: community, faith, the arts, learning, kindness, and generosity. It was their firm belief that humanity is not perfect, but we can always strive to be better and our goal with the Community Foundation is to foster those ideas that leave the world a better place than we found it.

Bill established several different funds with and for a variety of local, educational, and service organizations as a way to honor Peggy’s interests and the life he and Peggy built together. One of those funds was the William E. and Margaret E. Durall Family Endowment, an unrestricted endowment at the Community Foundation.

When reflecting back on the reason(s) why Bill and Lynda Keller decided to start a fund with the Community Foundation, the Quincy couple often referred to the proverb - ‘It’s better to give than to receive.’