Foundation reports major gifts for community’s benefit

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 16 November 2010 16:51

Kathy Decker: part-time HCF executive director. Leaders of the Hillsboro Community Foundation led a celebration of past, present and anticipated activity during a community-wide appreciation dinner Tues­day, Nov. 9, at the Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church Activity Center.

Key announcements included receipt of a bequest exceeding $350,000 from the estate of Hills­boro resident Marga Ebel, a matching-fund grant of up to $300,000 from the Kansas Health Foundation and the appointment of HFC’s first staff person.

The financial developments, which included a fundraising campaign to take full advantage of the KHF matching grant, could push the combined assets of HCF to well over $1 million within six years, according to Keith Harder, chairman of the HCF board.

“We had about...

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Local benefactor lived modestly

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 16 November 2010 16:45

Marga Ebel in her later years as a resident of Salem Home in Hillsboro. Relatively few people knew Marga Ebel during the years she lived in the community, but her estate gift of $350,000 to the Hillsboro Com­munity Founda­tion will do a lot of good for local children in the years to come.

Delores Dalke, mayor of Hills­boro and Ebel’s friend and power of attorney in her later years, said her story is a classic example of surprising charitable impact: An elderly person with a spartan lifestyle and low profile who leaves behind a sizeable financial gift to benefit a good cause.

“A lot of people didn’t even know her,” Dalke said of Ebel. “I had no idea, when her life was all over, that she would make such a splash here in the community.”

Ebel’s posthumous impact would have been hard to...

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Toy Run delivers gifts for the kids

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 09 November 2010 15:27

After dropping off their gifts at Hillsboro State Bank participants in the 17th annual Marion County Toy Run head down Main Street in Hillsboro on their way to American Legion Post 366 for the chili feed and auction.  



Hundreds of leather-clad motorcyclists carrying stuffed animals, games and other toys were greeted with smiles and waves from Hillsboro bystanders during the 17th annual Marion County Toy Run Saturday.

About 120 motorcycles roared down Main Street, stopping first at Hillsboro State Bank to drop off toys before heading on to the annual auction and chili feed at American Legion Post 366.

“We had a wonderful turnout (at the bank),” said Shelley Rooker, who coordinated the drive at HSB and served as clerk at the auction.

Organizers said they were also pleased with the number of supporters attending the auction.

“The riders spend their own money to buy the toys,” Rooker said.

The toys will stay at HSB until before...

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Election draws voters across county

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 09 November 2010 15:27

Marion County voters were out in full force for last Tuesday’s general election with 60 percent of residents casting ballots in either Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody, Goessel, Burns, Tampa, Florence or Lincolnville.

Of the 7,658 registered voters, 4,512 ballots were counted.

“It was a very good turnout for a gubernatorial year,” said Carol Maggard, county clerk.

Election officer Rhonda Toal agreed, adding that the only higher percentage in recent years was in 2008 with 76 percent of voters going to the polls in the presidential election.

The high number of voters also left little doubt as to who and what political party they wanted in the various offices.

One of the most watched races in Marion County was for state senator in...

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