Muellers to be honored with Spirit of Humanity Award
Arkansas City/Winfield, KS: Bill and Belinda Mueller will be honored with
a reception given by the Legacy Foundation on November 9, 2022.
The Muellers are the
sixth recipients of the “Spirit of Humanity” Award. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to
recognize Bill and Belinda’s generosity in our community,” stated Yazmin Wood,
Executive Director of Legacy Foundation, “Their philanthropic work, civic
leadership and volunteerism truly inspire the vision of Legacy Foundation in
action.” The come-and-go reception will
be held from 4 pm to 6 pm at Legacy Foundation 1216 Main, in Winfield.
Everyone is invited to
attend.
When people speak of
Bill and Belinda Mueller several adjectives are often in use - approachable,
unpretentious, down-to-earth, servant leaders. These are just a few of the characteristics that moved the Legacy
Foundation Board of Directors to select them to receive the 2021 Spirit of
Humanity Award.
The Mueller’s story is
the thing about which movies are made. City girl meets farm boy. Introduced through mutual friends in Washington DC, and once she
(Belinda) gets over the fact that he (Bill) wore cowboy boots, they realize it
is a match made in heaven.
Bill grew up the son of
the Sheriff with a strong connection to the land. He followed his father into law, going to
Washburn University, studying Law, History and Political Science. He joined the Air Force and served a year in
Vietnam. While in the Air Force Bill
was part of the Office of Special Investigations. His service led to the post-military position
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and took him to Houston. Returning to Kansas he served with the Kansas
Bureau of Investigation for twenty-five years, eventually moving home to Cowley
County where he has been able help with family and the farm.
Belinda grew up a city
kid, oldest of three. She attended five
elementary schools and three high schools. The constants in her life were family, church, and Girl Scouts where she
learned what it is to be a part of something larger than her. She got a taste of rural life on her
grandparent’s dairy farm in upstate New York. The farm is where her connection to the land and her work ethic were
formed. Some of her fondest memories are
being there with her extended family. Playing with cousins. Tending the
big garden. Gathering the cattle. Peaches. Though Belinda studied Education at the University of Maryland it was her
administrative career in government agencies – Food & Drug Administration,
Customs/Homeland Security, Soil Conservation/Natural Resources, and at the
Wichita Veterans Administration Hospital – that shaped her world view.
Together, Bill and
Belinda continue their lives of service improving this place they call
home. From the Presbyterian Church to
the Cowley County Historical Society to Cowley County Extension Council and the
Winfield Saddle Club, you will find the fingerprints of the Muellers. Whether its serving on the Ark City
Presbyterian Manor’s Mission Committee, filling the role of P.E.O. Chapter CU
President, raising funds for Alzheimer’s, or holding wildflower tours on the
farm, their generosity of time, leadership and resources is graciously shared.
“The Muellers are very
approachable and enjoy visiting with all citizens of Cowley County. I am amazed at the number of people they know
and call by name when I see the Muellers in a crowd,” the nominator said, “Bill
and Belinda make their contributions, both service and financial, in a very
quiet, unassuming, and understated way.”
When asked his advice
to grow philanthropy in our community, Bill offered these three ideas, “put
down roots, keep connected, and get involved”.
The Legacy Foundation board of directors established the
“Spirit of Humanity” award in October 2016 when celebrating the Foundation’s 20th
Anniversary. It is the desire of the
board of directors to recognize community members that inspire by their action
the vision of Legacy Foundation that creates a stronger future for our area by
building endowments, instilling informed leadership and connecting donors to
the critical needs of the region. The first Spirit of Humanity was awarded to Sid Regnier. Subsequent awardees include Tom & Mari Wallrabenstein
(2017), Phil & Mary Jarvis (2018), Glen & Louise Stevenson (2019) and
Karen Zeller (2020).
Nelson Mandela is credited
with saying, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the
lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” The Muellers are a stellar example of
Mandela’s ideal.
Nominations
for the 2022 Spirit of Humanity will be accepted through December 12,
2022. Community
members are encouraged to nominate individuals or groups that embody the Spirit
of Humanity. You will find the
application and guidelines at www.legacyregionalfoundation.org or contact the Foundation for more information by calling 620-221-7224 or email yazmin.legacy@yahoo.com.
