Four inducted to Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society
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Shown are the newest members of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society. Shown in front ae William Salin IV and Sloane Salin. Seated are Peggy Salin, Melanie Lawwill, Holly McCormick, Monica Weigand and Pam Palmer. Standing in back are Bill Salin, Tim Lawwill, Larry Weigand and Larry Palmer.
Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — Four families were inducted into the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society on Friday, Aug. 23.
Honored were: Vance Lopp, for his legacy gift; Larry and Pam Palmer, for their contribution to help create a kayak/canoe launch at Between the Lakes; Bill and Peggy Salin’s gift in honor of William M. Salin and his children, Sophia and Sam Salin, to continue the legacy of the lake for future generations; and Larry and Monica Weigand for their support in building the lakeside gazebo.
Each family received a memento of the occasion.
More information about each new member being honored was presented at an induction dinner following the ceremony.
This was the 10th event of WACF’s Eli Lilly Founders wall.
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Bob Fanning, former WACF board chairman, talks about philanthropy and philanthropist during the induction ceremony.
Bob Fanning, former board member, highlighted the purpose of the wall. He talked about philanthropy stating it is “the love of mankind especially as shown in practical efforts to promote well being by donating to needing causes, such benevolent activity or a particular instance of it. So we’re here to celebrate philanthropy tonight and particularly the people on the wall and coming on the wall who have been so generous to WACF.”
He spoke of philanthropist Eli Lilly and Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone who were great friends.
Fanning also referenced a description of Lilly written by Bill Spurgeon. “Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed a wide acquaintanceship with neighbors, Syracuse residents, Wawasee Yacht club members, even youngsters who lived nearby whom Eli Lilly would entertain in the early 70s on the porch of Cedar beach, the official name of his cottage, with Coca Cola and stories of lake lore. Of course his legacy in Indiana is an immense one and his legacy of love for Lake Wawasee is the collection of stories in ‘Early Wawasee Days.’ So he’s probably a pretty nice guy too.”
Fanning stated with their wealth, Ford and Lilly started the Ford Foundation and the Lilly Endowment, which started in 1936 and 1937. The Lilly Endowment was the largest private charity in the world in 1998. Today, it is number 4, behind the Ford Foundation.
“So it’s amazing what their gifts and their generosity has meant to the state of Indiana and the people of our state,” said Fanning.
He then explained who Eli Lilly is, noting it is confusing as there is a lot of Lilly’s. Pointing to the image on the wall of Eli Lilly, Fanning stated the image was that of “Mr. Eli Lilly known as Mr. Eli. His father was Josiah K. Lilly Sr. and his grandfather was Col. Eli Lilly. His brother was JK Lilly Jr. and it was JK Sr. and Mr. Eli and JK Jr. who started the Lilly Endowment. “
It was noted both the Ford Endowment and the Lilly Endowment give away between $500 and $600 million a year each.
Fanning stated it was “pretty amazing how just a little money here and a little money there soon adds up. And that’s how we feel here at WACF. We work very hard at development and we know that these people like Ford loved Fort Myers, Mr. Eli loved Lake Wawasee. His first visit here was in 1888 when he was 3 years old and the house on Cedar Beach had been built the year before. His last visit here was the summer of 1976 just before his death in 1977. A lot of people here could say the same thing … lots of us have grown up here.
“WACF is honored to have the permission of the Lilly family to recognize the four new members of the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society. I want to ensure you you are in good company with Mr. Eli and the other people on this wall Your commitment to WACF is every bit as important to us, as Mr. Ford and Mr. Eli made and continue to make to the endeavors that they cherish also.”
Bill McCully, board member, recognized those present whose names are on the wall stating they were all driven by the common thing — the love of the lake. He noted the presence of the Salin grandchildren as a reminder of what drives “all of us to do this, the love of this lake is not just for ourselves but for our kids, our grandkids and their kids.”
- Past inductees of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society, gather near the wall to meet the new inductees and past inductees.
- Enjoying a friendly conversation before the induction ceremony are, from left Larry Weigand, Patty Kelly, Monica Wegand, Jay Jorgensen and Tom Kelly.
- Pam and Larry Palmer accept a memento of their induction into the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society from Heather Harwood, WACF executive director. The Palmers contributed to help create a kayak/canoe launch at Between the Lakes.
- Larry and Monica Wegand accept a memento of their induction into the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society from Heather Harwood, WACF executive director. The Wegands supported the building of the lakeside gazebo.
- Tim Lawwill and Holly McCormick accept a memento of their stepfather Vance Lopp’s induction into the Lilly Lifetime Founder Society from Heather Harwood, WACF executive director. Lopp left a legacy gift to the WACF.
- The Bill Salin family gather for a photo after receiving a memento of Bill and Peggy Salin’s induction to the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society. The Salins’ gift is in honor of William M. Salin and his children, Sophia and Sam Salin, to continue the legacy of the lake for future generations. Shown in front, from left are Sloane Salin and William Salin IV. In back are Julie Salin, Bill Salin II, Sam Salin, Pippi Dober, Bill Salin III, Peggy Salin and Heather Harwood, WACF executive director.
- Following the induction of four new members of the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society, all current society members present gathered for a group photo. Shown in front are William Salin IV and Sloane Salin. Seated from left are Peggy Salin, Melanie Lawwill, Holly McCormick, Monica Weigand, Pam Palmer, Joan Marcuccilli, Susie Brandes, Jan Hackleman. Second row standing. Linda Baird, Laura Freihofer, Sally Reel, Bill Salin, Tim Lawwill, Larry Weigand, Larry Palmer, Tom Marcuccilli, David Brandes, Becky Levinson, Jay Jorgensen and Chris Herdrich. Back Row are Donn Baird, Walter Freihofer, Brad Quinn, Debbie Herdrich, Tammy Herdrich, Cindy Quinn, Bob Herdrich, Bill Herdrich, Russell Anderson Mary Anderson and Jeff Herdrich.