The founder of the Chesney Park NIA passed away this past week. His visitation is tonight (July 7, 2008) at 6 pm (Bowser Johnson Funeral Chapel where the family will receive family and friends from 6-8 p.m. Service) and the funeral is tomorrow (7/8/08) at 10 am (Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 2420 SE Bellview, Topeka, Kansas).You may remember that the first panel of the Great Mural Wall of Topeka was dedicated to him (Grant Cushinberry). I for one am glad, that we were able to get this tribute to him before he passed away. May he rest in peace. Now below is the text of the excellent write up, that the Topeka Capital-Journal did on his life, after learning of his death.
Topeka philanthropist more than paid his dues to this community, and all have benefited
Grant Cushinberry said that if people put God first, others second and themselves third, the world would be a much better place.
In practicing what he preached, the Topeka humanitarian proved his point.
Cushinberry, who died Tuesday, brightened his community during his 86 years by providing food, clothing and other necessities to countless people.
His name was synonymous with the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and God's Little Half Acre, the garden and donations clearinghouse he operated at 1835 S.W. Fillmore not far from his home. When he wasn't operating his trash-hauling business or performing his duties as an employee of the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center, Cushinberry spent much of his time producing garden items for the needy or collecting and redistributing food and other items.
"If I see something that needs to be done, I just work at it until it gets done," he once said.
Cushinberry said that when he saw people eating from garbage cans as he was running his trash route, he became impassioned about the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. He solicited food for the event and helped organize the event for nearly three decades.
In response to other needs, Cushinberry gave away everything from fresh rhubarb and donated cole slaw to live chickens and ducks from God's Little Half Acre. He also offered free clothing, furniture and other items for people of all ages, from toys to crutches and wheelchairs. Cushinberry ran the grass-roots site for nearly 30 years.
In the process, he became a role model and a community treasure, not only for his philanthropy but through his ability to reach across racial lines. Cushinberry was black, but he provided for people regardless of their ethnicity.
"He used to always tell me we're all one race, and that's the human race," said Cushinberry's son, Garry, a member of The Capital-Journal editorial board.
As Mayor Bill Bunten put it: "He cared about people. It didn't make any difference whether they were white or black."
Cushinberry's giving stretched beyond Topeka's city limits, as he sent aid to storm victims and others in need in the U.S. and abroad. His efforts prompted letters from presidents and notice in Newsweek, among other publications.
But it's Topeka that benefited the most from Cushinberry's work and from his words of wisdom, which appeared in essays and letters to the editor of this publication and in a 1991 booklet produced by a local publishing firm.
For all those who were inspired by his writing or through discussions with him, for all the hungry people who received food from his garden, for all the underprivileged children he took to circuses and ballgames, for all of us, we say thank you.
Cushinberry used to say that in doing his good work, he was "just paying rent for being down here on Earth."
Mr. Cushinberry, you paid well more than your share. And we're all the better for it.
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