Strengthening Our Communities
Celebrating the Love We All Have For Our Hometowns
A legacy gift to the Lennox Area Community Fund, an affiliate of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, is "a gift that keeps on giving."
Those who knew her remember Annabeth Arne as a quiet person who loved her family and treasured her favorite hobbies, including reading, gardening and canning.
Born in Lennox in 1943, Annabeth attended rural schools in Turner County and worked as an elementary school teacher before starting a family with her husband, Donald. Throughout their married life they made their home in Clark and rural Carpenter.
Although she hadn’t lived in Lennox since she was a child, it was clear Annabeth’s hometown held a special place in her heart.
After her recent passing at age 76, a portion of Annabeth’s estate was directed to the Lennox Area Community Fund.
The five-figure gift was one of the largest in Lennox’s history — an act of generosity and love that will help ensure this cherished hometown will continue to thrive — for good, forever.
The Lennox Area Community Fund is an affiliate of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. It was established in 2004 to help improve the quality of life for those who call the communities of Lennox, Chancellor and Worthing home.
Gifts to the Lennox Area Community Fund have grown over time thanks to the benefit of a pooled investment that generates long-term asset growth. Through the power of endowment, more than $100,000 has been granted to nonprofits and causes throughout Lennox, Chancellor and Worthing — enhancing the vibrancy of these quaint, tightly-knit communities.
Jonathan Hagena serves as president for the Lennox Area Community Fund’s Board of Directors. He called the estate gift “a gift that keeps on giving.”
A legacy gift like this will benefit our community for a long time — this is a gift that keeps on giving. In a time when the economy is tough and people have less money for their own expenditures, it’s an especially meaningful boost. I think this also plants a seed for others who maybe wouldn’t have considered us for an estate gift.
Jonathan Hagena, president for the Lennox Area Community Fund’s Board of Directors
Like all legacy gifts, Annabeth’s gift is so much more than just a donation, it is a reflection of who she was and what was important to her, said Mary Kolsrud, vice president for philanthropy.
“When someone shares their legacy, they’re sharing their story, a reflection of who they are, the values that have shaped them and their hopes and dreams for the future,” Kolsrud said. “Planning today to give tomorrow through a bequest is more than just a transfer of wealth after your lifetime, it’s an opportunity to celebrate your passions and leave a lasting legacy of care that will help strengthen a community, a cause or a nonprofit you care deeply about.”
Alan Rops, a member of the Lennox Area Community Fund’s Board of Directors, agreed. “People feel connected to the place they were born. This gift tells us so much about who Annabeth was and what she felt about this place. It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, so to have a donation like this is a r eal boost for our community,” Rops said.
In addition to the Lennox Area Community Fund, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation oversees affiliate community funds in Brandon, Canton, Dell Rapids, Hartford and Tea. Learn more about how you can support your hometown through one of these affiliate funds.