MORIT Announces Major Estate Gift in support of the Rock Island Trail | MoRIT

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

The Missouri Rock Island Trail board of directors has announced that a Kansas City man has bequeathed approximately $100,000 for development of the trail corridor.

The donor, Roger Gaunt, a hiking enthusiast, has earmarked the generous gift in his will. Gaunt has asked that the money be used to benefit hikers, such as for benches near trail heads and bells for bicyclists. Gaunt believes the handicapped-accessible trail will be ideal for older hikers due to its relatively flat, wide surface.

Gaunt’s bequest is focused on the 17.7 mile section currently being developed by Jackson County, the short so-called “Greenwood Gap” between Pleasant Hill and Lee’s Summit and the 144-mile section east of Windsor, with emphasis on the Eldon-to-Windsor corridor.

While his own passing is not imminent, Gaunt feels that it is important for MoRIT to publicize his gift as a way to help MoRIT raise additional funds to support its mission.

MORIT is a statewide non-profit organization working toward development of the Rock Island right of way into a recreational trail. The line runs across the state south of the Missouri River from near St. Louis to Kansas City. A 47.5-mile stretch between Windsor and Pleasant Hill opened in late 2016, connecting the 240 mile Katy Trail to suburban Kansas City.

Link: 

MORIT Announces Major Estate Gift in support of the Rock Island Trail | MoRIT

MoBikeFed comment: Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc., has created a number of ways that you can donate to support our new statewide trail, including donating stock, property, or through your estate. You can find out more at

http://rockislandtrail.org/donate/

Or contact info@rockislandtrail.org

And . . . this may be a good opportunity to mention that MoBikeFed also accepts bequest, estate, and in-kind gifts. In addition, we have established an endowment fund, so that your estate or other gift can support our statewide bicycle, pedestrian, and trails advocacy work in perpetuity. If you are interested in finding out more, contact director@mobikefed.org or 816-336-2550.