Circle of Life Hospice receives $3 million gift

by Kim Souza ([email protected]) 800 views 

Springdale-based nonprofit Circle of Life Hospice announced Wednesday (March 24) a $3 million gift from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation in memory of Willard and Pat Walker. The $3 million gift will provide $1 million towards completing a capital campaign and $2 million towards the Charity Care Endowment campaign.

The capital campaign, “Partners…In Expanding the Circle,” raised more than $15 million towards a building maintenance endowment, patient wing expansion at the Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale, and the new construction of the Bentonville hospice home. The Walker family chose to name the hospice home in honor of longtime friends Marie and John Carr.

“As a nurse, Marie would be so proud to have their names affiliated with such a caring organization,” said Johnny Mike Walker, chairman of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.

Nearly 2,000 families and friends contributed to the $15 million campaign. The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation also lent its support to the Charity Care Endowment with a gift.

“We want to ensure everyone in Northwest Arkansas has access to hospice care regardless of their financial situation,” said Mandy Macke, executive director and vice chairman of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.

To date, the Circle of Life Foundation has raised $2.4 million, almost 50% of its $5 million Charity Care Endowment goal. Other lead donors include Arvest Foundation, Jerry and Cherie Moye and David and Sue Van Bebber.