South Central Community Foundation: Donor Stories

At SCCF the story of the donor is very important and because of that importance we would like to include a couple of donor stories.

Mr. Lesh

Picture of Mr. Lesh

Mr. Lesh, a Pratt automobile dealer from 1965 – 2000, is recognized as a community booster for the value that Pratt Community College brings to the economic growth of the area. Consequently, when he retired from the automobile business, he gave half of the business to South Central Community Foundation to establish an endowment from which the earnings will benefit the College. After his retirement, Dennis volunteered to head up fundraising efforts at the College and now serves as the Executive Director of the Pratt Community College Foundation.

Mr. and Mrs. L.V. Knight

Picture of Mr. and Mrs. L.V. Knight

L.V. and Ora Knight, long-time residents of Pratt, donated Terrace Courts to South Central Community Foundation to establish an endowment fund that provides scholarships for students at Pratt Community College. Knight Construction built the five one-bedroom brick homes located in the 100 block of Champa, in 1938. Each home shows exquisite craftsmanship with small stained-glass windows in the entryway and different mortar finishes on the brick of each home.

James Knight, L.V.’s father, began Knight construction in Pratt in 1918. L.V. spent his youth working with his dad. After graduating from Chicago Technical College and working for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, L.V. returned to Pratt to join his father in the business.

L.V. and Ora met while she was working at the Barron Theater as the personal secretary for Mrs. Barron. Ora was in the office when L.V. went to inquire about constructing the theater for the Barrons in Anthony. He said, “I didn’t get the job, but I got the secretary.”

In regards to their gift to the community foundation, L.V. and Ora said, “We wanted to donate something to the college, and if we sold [the Courts], Uncle Sam would take a big share of it, and this way, the college gets the good out of them, and we get the tax advantages.”

Executive Director, Denise Unruh said, “The Knights are a tremendous example of giving to the future of your community through endowment funds, and an added benefit to the Knight gift is a 50% matching gift from the Kansas Health Foundation to an endowment fund for children.”