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.

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.

Bill McCully introduces the four newest members of the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founder Society.

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.”