Friends, family and colleagues of the late Jim Pickert gathered Thursday evening to remember, celebrate and in many ways embrace his memory during a special open house event.
The evening was organized by the Salvation Army of Emporia an organization Pickert supported as a member of its advisory board from 1960 until his death in 2022. Salvation Army Captain Mylie Hadden says it is important to their agency to recognize the service of those who give of their time and energy to help support its mission.
As part of Thursday’s event, several presentations were made including a certificate and crystal bell from the Salvation Army to Pickert’s wife Helen Pickert in honor of his dedication to both the Salvation Army and the Emporia community at large. Pickert was also a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Trussler Foundation fund through the Emporia Community Foundation which made another presentation from ECF Director Becky Nurnberg extra special.
Thursday, Nurnberg announced that the Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program would be receiving $25,000 from the Trussler fund after a recent grant application was approved. Nurnberg tells KVOE News this would have undoubtedly brought a smile to Pickert’s face.
Nurnberg says this is one way ECF is trying to “follow the example” Pickert set through his individual work in the community.
Helen Pickert says service to others was of the utmost importance to her late husband.
Pickert was a realtor for nearly 60 years and served as a member of the Lyon County Commission and Kansas Board of Regents. In addition to his time on the Salvation Army and Trussler Foundation advisory boards, Pickert was also involved with United Way of the Flint Hills, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and Lions clubs, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Pickert passed last October at the age of 87.
