Legacy donors Georgia Bacui, Dorothy Hepp, Elizabeth Plunckett and Catherine Heckel were honored Oct. 24 at the Mullis Community Senior Center during National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

“Because of these legacy donors, we have been able to keep going all these years, which is pretty remarkable,” Mullis Senior Center President Patty Brightman told the Journal later.

Light refreshments, friendly conversation and a short presentation in recognition of these four women lasted from 4-5 p.m.

Bacui served on the Centers’ board for several years, was the volunteer center manager and was a tireless advocate for legacy giving.

“She inspired others to join her in leaving major gifts to the Mullis Center in their wills” the plaque in her honor stated.

The Senior Center’s roots began back in the 1970s, meeting in the basement of what was then the Royal Theater. Donald and June Mullis later donated their property. The property now houses not just the Mullis Center but the Food Bank and Family Resource Center as well. The couple was also honored at the event. Once the building was complete, the organization relied on volunteers. Volunteers stepped up to do groundskeeping, building repairs and maintenance. and kept the non-profit going. According to board member David Bayley, Bacui realized the center couldn’t continue without paid staff and dependable operating capital. She organized a professional presentation about estate giving thus influencing three other women to follow her lead.”

Those women were Hepp, Plunkett and Heckle. Each was a community-minded woman who frequented the center. Plunkett had worked at Boeing. Bayley pointed out that she worked in a mostly male-dominated field at the time and guessed she got into it during the War – Rosey the Riveter style.

The plaques will hang on the lobby walls to honor them.

The Mullis Center has come a long way, Brightman said, since those early days. The building has become a beloved community center, and services for island seniors have grown exponentially.

“It is really an impressive organization,” Bayley said. “It’s a community success story.”

After the tributes to legacy donors were finished, Brightman took a moment to thank Executive Director Anna Coffelt as well. “Without Anna, none of this would be possible,” Brightman said.

“Legacy giving is a great way to give to a charity you believe in. It is a gift that keeps on giving,” Bayley said. “It doesn’t have to be a dramatic six figures”

For those considering a legacy donation, contact Anna Coffelt at info@mulliscenter.org.