A warm crowd gathered Tuesday evening in Arkansas City to celebrate someone who seems to lift the community wherever she goes. Friends, supporters, and local leaders turned out at the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce to honor Jill Hunter, the 2025 recipient of Legacy Regional Community Foundation’s Spirit of Humanity Award.
Hunter becomes the award’s 10th honoree, recognized for her years of work that stretch across nonprofits, civic efforts, and community-building projects. Legacy Foundation CEO Yazmin Wood said Hunter is known for her ability to be “everywhere” and to get things done, all in service of Arkansas City and the surrounding area. Wood praised her as a champion for local identity and a driving force for positive momentum.
Reflecting on her approach to service, Hunter said she is mindful of life’s pivotal moments and the way past actions can follow us. Her focus, she said, is on choosing positivity and encouraging others to work together while respecting different perspectives. It’s a mindset that has shaped her work and the way she moves through the community.
A strong influence in that philosophy was her father, whom she credits with setting an example of looking out for others. Hunter said she hopes he would be proud of the foundation he laid, one she continues to build on today.
Her service began early. A kid who loved to ride her bike, Hunter started working to help children experience that same joy — first with The Salvation Army and now through Angels in the Attic. Her efforts eventually led to the founding of the Bobby Estes Bike Ride, a tradition that blends health, unity, and remembrance.
Whether through her work with Visit Ark City, her leadership in Soroptimist International of Arkansas City, or her role in helping kids get bikes, Hunter’s impact touches nearly every corner of the community. One nominator described her as “a catalyst for hope, a steward of legacy, and a true Spirit of Humanity.”
Hunter’s advice to others is simple but urgent: “Keep your eyes open. Be watchful of what you can do to help or improve, then act.”
The Spirit of Humanity Award was created in 2016 as Legacy Regional Community Foundation marked its 20th anniversary. Past recipients include Sid Regnier, Tom and Mari Wallrabenstein, Phil and Mary Jarvis, Glen and Louise Stevenson, Karen Zeller, Bill and Belinda Mueller, Wayne Hamilton, Lynne Hunter, and Carlla Pike. Community members may submit future nominations through the foundation’s website.
