Ellis Foundation brings much support to community

On Friday, Oct. 5, on the Fort Scott Community College campus, golden spades were used to turn over soil -- to break ground -- for the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. The act of breaking ground is a symbolic act that is repeated with nearly every new structure. But Friday's groundbreaking means so much more than simply the beginning of a fine structure. As Danny Ellis said to me recently, "it's about so much more than bricks and mortar."

The new arts center will do far more than house "the arts" in Fort Scott. In fact, according to a 2002 study by the National Endowment for the Arts, the arts brings with it community activism and social mobilization.

The study documents that individuals involved in reading, painting, poetry and even those that just watch live musical and theatrical performances are much more likely to contribute to his or her community than individuals that pay the arts no attention.

When Danny and Willa Ellis stepped forward to solidify a struggling fine arts center campaign, I doubt they knew the true impact this fine center will have on Fort Scott. Danny and Willa Ellis knew it was the right thing to do for the community; and they knew it was one more way to honor a beloved daughter they lost to breast cancer 10 years ago.

Kathy Ellis was a teacher and, according to her father, "the mother of all mothers." Kathy's kind heart, willing spirit and aptitude to teach had a lasting impact on hundreds of students. It is this enduring spirit that I believe continues to thrive within Danny and Willa. Their $1 million donation is about so much more than just the money. It is about stepping up to the plate for a community that has served them well and it is about setting a standard for others to follow. It goes without saying that Fort Scott needs more people like the Ellises.

But just for the record let me say it now -- thank you, Danny and Willa Ellis. Your contribution to this community will touch so many more lives than we can begin to count. Thank you for honoring Kathy. And thank you for your many contributions to this community.