Don and Evelyn Amend
As lifelong supporters of local charities, founding donors Don and Evelyn Amend were proud to be some of the foundation's first fundholders.
"We saw the foundation as a way to benefit the community and ourselves. We realized that it would benefit lots of nonprofit organizations that we believe in," the Amends said in June 1999. "And if something were to happen to us, we felt confident our requests would be handles by someone who knew exactly how we wanted things handled."
Before the Amends passed away, they set up a permanent fund at the foundation to forever support three causes close to their heart- First United Methodist Church, Salina Area United Way, and the Fund for Greater Salina.
Don passed away in 2008 at age 86, and Evelyn passed away in 2020 at age 97, but their names will always live on through the Don and Evelyn Amend Fund.
This is their story.
Evelyn was born in Parker, Kansas, in 1922. Her family moved to Salina in 1925, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1940. In 1944, she received her bacteriology degree from the University of Kansas, and went on to become a registered laboratory and radiology technician, working in the lab at Asbury Hospital in Salina.
She later was a founding member of the Asbury Hospital Auxiliary, writing the original bylaws and serving as a two-term president. In 1995, she was honored for her 40 years of service to the auxiliary by the Asbury-Salina Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
Don was born in Cummings, Kansas, in 1921 and gradated from Atchison County Community High School. He attended the University of Kansas in 1941 and 1942, but after his sophomore year of college, he enlisted in the United States Air Corps Reserve and was called to active duty during World War II. During his services as a plane radio operator in the U.S> Transport Command , he attained the rank of Sergeant and survived a plan crash in China.
When Don returned after the war, he married Evelyn on April 7, 1946, at First Christian Church in Salina. They spent a few years in Kansas City, where Don completed a degree in economics and accounting before entering the UMKC School of Dentistry. After a year in New Orleans for Don's dental internship, the Amends moved to Salina in 1952, where Don opened his private dental practice.
Don had a special interest in children's dentistry and helped found the Kansas Chapter of the American Society of Dentistry for Children. He served as president of the Salina Dental Society and in 1991 he was named Kansas State Dental Association Man of the year.
Making a home and impact in Salina
The Amends were married for 62 years and raised their three children in Salina- Janet, Nancy and Doug. They were people of faith and served in many capacities at First Christian Church and First United Methodist Church. They also believed in giving back to their community.
Evelyn's passion for volunteering was recognized in 1982 with the YWCA Outstanding Service award in in 1992 as a Untied Way Hometown Hero. She was a founding member of several organizations and served as president on numerous boards. In addition to her church and the hospital auxiliary, she was involved with at least 18 different organizations, some of which included the DL of P.E.O., Salina Community Theatre Guild, Charities League, American Red Cross, United Way, YWCA, Salina Public Library, League of Women Voters, Kansas Wesleyan University, Meals on Wheels, KU Alumni Association and Downtown Lioness.
Don was a proud member of Salina Downtown Lions Club for over 50 years and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. He served on the American Red Cross board, was a Salina Area Chamber of Commerce member and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He served on the advisory board of the Salina Area Technical School, and the staff of the Asbury Regional Medical Center, and St. John's Regional Health Center. In addition, he was a Scottish and York Rite Mason, a member of the Isis Shrine Temple and Patrol, Red Cross of Constantine and Royal Order of Jesters.
When Don and Evelyn weren't volunteering their time to help others, they enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and over 100 countries on six continents. Evelyn was a lifelong bridge player, and Don enjoyed golf outings with his close friends.
Their zest for life and helping others will always be remembered through the Don and Evelyn Amend Fund.
