Recognizing Our Named Gifts and Donors

Hellen and John M. Jacobs Independence Plaza

The plaza is named in honor of Helen and John M. Jacobs as a tribute to their legacy of community service and philanthropy, values they instilled in their family. Their daughter, Jeanne Jones, has been a dedicated Benevilla volunteer and advocate since 1987 and played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s intergenerational programs. Her personal commitment, combined with her parents’ philosophy of giving back to Arizona—a state they deeply valued—makes the naming a meaningful recognition of a family’s multigenerational service to the community.

As Jeanne herself said:
“Putting old and younger generations together is a marvelous concept. Benevilla hit home with this project, and my mother and dad would have been proud to have their name on it.”

Mary F. Bovard Center

Mary F. Bovard was a passionate volunteer and lifelong philanthropist whose generosity and dedication to serving others left an enduring legacy. After moving to Sun City, Mary became deeply involved with Benevilla, formerly Interfaith Community Care, where she served on the Board of Directors and championed caregiver respite and adult day health services. Her leadership and generous support led to the founding of Mary’s Place, one of Benevilla’s adult day programs, in 1998. Mary also volunteered with Sun Health Hospice, held leadership roles in numerous community organizations, and received the Hon Kachina Award in 2001 as one of Arizona’s Outstanding Volunteers. Her spirit of compassion and service continues to inspire the work of Benevilla today.

Wirtzie’s Childcare and Preschool

Dick and Eileen Bloechl have always been dedicated to supporting their community, from their hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to their retirement in Arizona. Honored with the Interfaith Community Care (Benevilla) Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2007, their commitment to giving back has left a lasting impact.

​Dick spent 31 years in National Finance at UPS, serving across the Midwest while actively supporting nonprofit organizations through board service and fundraising. Eileen, a social worker in Green Bay, dedicated her life to fostering a loving and enriching environment for children while raising their five children.

​Their vision was to create a nurturing space for future generations, inspiring the founding of Wirtzie’s Preschool & Child Care. The name “Wirtzie” comes from Eileen’s college nickname, a tribute to her lifelong passion for caring for children.

Lucy Anne’s Place

Hal and Lucy Anne met while working together at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta and married in 1953. They raised four wonderful daughters together – Sally, Carol, Lynn and Laura.

One of the things that both Hal and Lucy Anne loved to do together was fly an airplane. While Hal was flying their private plane for leisure and business, Lucy Anne decided that she too wanted to learn how to be a pilot and started taking flying lessons. Once Lucy Anne learned how to land the plane, they flew all over the US and Canada.

Hal and Lucy Anne moved to Arizona in 1993 to be close with their daughters and grandchildren. Once they decided it was time to permanently “land their plane,” they enjoyed motor homing.

Years later, Lucy Anne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In honor of his wife, Hal named the day center program on the Benevilla main campus after her.

Birt Kellam

L. Birt Kellam and his wife, Louisa, were passionate supporters of Benevilla’s mission to foster compassionate care and intergenerational connection in the West Valley. After relocating to Sun City West, Birt became an active member of the Benevilla Board of Directors, offering his time, leadership, and advocacy to help advance the organization’s programs and services.

In recognition of his exceptional dedication, Benevilla honored Birt by naming its on-campus restaurant Birt’s Bistro. While the bistro is no longer in operation, the space now houses Benefitness, Benevilla’s adaptive gym focused on health and wellness for older adults. Additional naming opportunities to honor Birt’s legacy are being developed.

Birt and Louisa’s outstanding commitment was also recognized with the 2019 Bill Wolfrey Community Service Award, celebrating their unwavering support of Benevilla’s vision and programs.

Birt Kellam’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the community he helped strengthen, exemplifying a deep commitment to service and compassion.

Alice’s Wonderland

Ken and Alice Meade always lived by the Golden Rule – it’s important to help take care of the community where you live and work. They were long-time supporters of Benevilla, making sure that the services Benevilla provides continued to be available. Ken served on many boards with other nonprofits and used his skills to help raise money for the community. Ken was honored with the Benevilla Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2008.

Both Ken and Alice were born in New York City and moved to Phoenix with their three children in 1958. They eventually opened Ken Meade Realty in 1983. Alice’s Wonderland is a testament to their commitment to all generations having the best quality of life possible.

Alice’s Wonderland consists of a trike track, splash pad, treehouse slide, play equipment, and sand/grass play areas.

“I’m naming this playground after Alice because I love her, and she deserves this.” ~Ken Meade

Ken and Alice have since entered their eternal home, but their commitment to the youngest generation continues to live on.

Art’s Center for All Ages

After coming to Sun City West as Michigan snowbirds, Art and Helen Nickless deeply appreciated the way Benevilla provided respite care for spouses who were faithfully caring for their beloved mates.

Art and Helen were devoted to their family and took a “family first” attitude that extended to helping under-served children of the next generation and generations to come.

Part of the commitment was Art’s support in opening Art’s Center for All Ages, a dedicated space between Lucy Anne’s Place and Wirtzie’s Preschool and Childcare, which allows children and older adults to come together to learn and grow and enjoy relationships with each other that are life-giving to all.

The impact of the Nickless’ gift is still felt long past their deaths and reflected in the smiles of the children and seniors participating in Benevilla’s Intergenerational Program at Art’s Center for All Ages.

Learn more about how you can create a lasting legacy through a named gift.

Contact our Development Team or visit our Support Benevilla page.