Donor Spotlight
Rick and Patti McKinney

Longtime Decatur residents fondly remember The Blue Mill restaurant owned by Don and Loretta McKinney. And while the restaurant is now part of our community nostalgia, Rick and Patti McKinney chose to create an endowed fund in honor of Loretta, Rick’s mother who passed in 2009.

Not only did Loretta run a restaurant with her husband, but she graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in business and had a deep-rooted love for the arts.

The Loretta McKinney endowed fund for the Decatur Area Arts Council was established with a $25,000 IRS required minimum distribution. In just 15 years, the fund is projected to grow to $39,065.29 and grant $26,369.07 to the Arts Council. When you think about how to honor a loved one who has passed away, consider that endowment funds are easy to establish and they last indefinitely. In that way, your loved ones will always be with you.

Rick and Patti are pictured with DAAC executive director Jerry Johnson and administrative director Kim Fouse.