2009 Dan West Fellow Award Winner Announced
Throughout his life and as Heifer International’s founder, Dan West maintained a deep commitment to helping the poor, hungry and those in the margin of the world. His vision guides Heifer Foundation and speaks to the simplest and most basic principle of charity – helping people to help themselves.
In his honor, Heifer Foundation established the Dan West Fellow Award to honor those who have given of themselves to help the less fortunate of the world. Each year, the foundation’s Trustee Emeritus Club chooses one outstanding leader to be recognized with this prestigious award. This year’s recipients, Richard and Susan Eyre, have devoted their lives to ensure that they “witness” for Heifer to anyone that they come in contact with.
Their Foxwillow Pines Nursery in Woodstock, Illinois, which has one of the largest selections in the world of rare trees and dwarf conifers, could be known as the Heifer fundraising center of the greater Chicago area. Their selfless gifts to Heifer have included starting many country endowments as well as a family endowment to support the continued work of Heifer around the world. Each year, Richard’s mother, Margaret, sells thousands of Hostas for Heifer. Richard and Susan use their flower shows to spread the good news of Heifer’s work around the world.
Richard and Susan served six years on the Board of Trustees of Heifer International Foundation. In addition, Susan served as chair of the board, which allowed her to serve on the Heifer International Board of Directors.
in honor of their tireless service to Heifer and a world in need, a $1,000 will be added to the Dan West Education Endowment, which is used to educate the public about the root causes of hunger and poverty. The Foundation is making plans to host an award presentation in the Fall of 2010.
The Eyre's join with others who have given exceptionally distinguished service or leadership on behalf of the Foundation and Heifer Project International. The winners are as follows:
- Bill Appelgate—2002
- Urusla and Willard Bartel—2003
- Marvel Lund—2004
- Marion Hammarlund—2005
- Gary Cooper—2006
- Barrie O'Bannon—2007
- Miller Davis—2008
- Richard and Susan Eyre—2009
Dan West, 1960
View Previous Year Winners:
2002 William "Bill" Appelgate
2003 Willard and Ursula Bartel
2004 Marvel Lund
2005 Dr. Marion Hammarlund
2006 Gary Cooper
2007 Barrie O'Bannon
2008 Miller Davis
