But one new project in particular is helping Deenie define her legacy: involvement in the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)’s therapeutic program “Horses for Heroes.”
“One morning in 2006 was life-changing. I wasn’t really watching the TV when suddenly there was this story—it still gives me chills—about wounded veterans regaining mobility and confidence through equine therapy. Able-bodied soldiers and the horses who normally pull funeral caissons at Arlington Cemetery were welcoming amputees from Walter Reed hospital.”
“It was the converging of three passions of mine: our American soldiers, an appreciation for programs that empower people and my love of horses. My dad pioneered the prosthetics industry to assist people (originally WWII soldiers) who had lost limbs, so I’ve always had a place in my heart for amputees. I knew immediately that I wanted to promote Horses for Heroes, so I turned to The Community Foundation for a crash course in nonprofit basics.”
“If I’m passionate about something, I talk to people. The Community Foundation gave me a broader understanding of how to connect with groups whose support I needed. It’s not enough to go in and just be excited! The Community Foundation was great about saying, ‘Here’s what a company would want to know to participate in this program.’ They counseled me on what I needed to have in place to make the connections work.”
“The Community Foundation provides a fantastic network of advisors, researchers and strategists who help identify charitable programs that are run in ethical, effective ways. Thanks to this savvy, I never have to wonder if a charity I support is solid and sustainable. That really matters to me, because my dad taught me to be a shrewd steward.”
Her trust in The Community Foundation is now leading McKeever to participate in planned giving. “I need to know that, long after my death, a portion of my finances will continue to support the work that matters to me. The Community Foundation is ideally suited to undertake this responsibility, so that my children and grandchildren can concentrate on their own pursuits and philanthropic outreach without having to second guess what I would want.”
Building connections between her family’s interests and the community’s needs is important to McKeever. She recalls when her grandchildren, “wanted to donate a pool table to a community center. The Community Foundation identified five places, letting my grandsons and me choose one together. What I wanted the children to hear was, ‘Start now; you don’t have to wait until you’ve got some big amount. Right now, you can see where your talents and time and treasure can be put to use.’ I am thankful that The Community Foundation helped make these ventures possible, and I am grateful to know that my philanthropy will outlive me.”
“It’s one thing to ink a check—and, of course, money gets things done—but to get your heart into something is different. For me, it’s a dream come true that, as of this September, Chastain Horse Park is now offering veterans a Horses for Heroes program. One thing that gives me hope that my children and grandchildren will practice philanthropy after I’m gone is that we have shared the joy of partnering in community outreach through the help of The Community Foundation.”