Footprints of Kindness
- Kevin C. Wells
- Oct 8
- 5 min read
Philanthropy woven through the woods
by Kevin C. Wells
[Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Mount Gretna Magazine. View the full issue to see this story in its designed layout, complete with additional images.]
Nestled among the trees of Central Pennsylvania, Mount Gretna is a community defined as much by its generosity as by its winding paths, the Pennsylvania Chautauqua roots, and artistic spirit. From its earliest days, the people of Gretna have poured time, talent, and treasure into shaping a community where tradition and progress intersect.
In this premiere issue of Mount Gretna Magazine, we begin a series exploring community-wide themes through diverse voices and lived experiences. There’s no subject better to start with than philanthropy.
Defining philanthropy in Gretna
What does philanthropy look like in Gretna? How do personal values and community traditions shape the ways people choose to give? The answers vary depending on whom you ask.
“One of the things I most appreciate about Mount Gretna Campmeeting is that all of our concerts are offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis,” says Larry McKenna, administrative director of Mount Gretna Summer Concerts.
“When I think about philanthropy in Mount Gretna, I’m grateful for those who support our nonprofit organizations — whether it’s Summer Concerts, the annual Mount Gretna Campmeeting Heritage Music Festival, or the Mount Gretna Bible Festival,” he says. “I’m equally thankful to the individuals who place a $20 bill in the free-will offering to help offset costs for those who may only be able to give a dollar, or nothing at all. Volunteerism across all these organizations is another vital form of philanthropy.”
Gretna cottage owner Faye Maulfair echoes this sentiment. “I’m reminded of all those who go above and beyond to support the many performances at the Tabernacle, ensuring they can be enjoyed by all. But philanthropy also includes the generous offering of time and talent, such as volunteering or contributing to the preservation of the charm and character of our unique community, so that visitors may continue to be captivated by Mount Gretna’s beauty.”
This ethos of contribution is palpable throughout the distinct neighborhoods that comprise the broader Gretna community. From Mount Gretna Campmeeting cottages to the Mount Gretna Heights and Timber Hills, residents offer what they can — be it dollars, elbow grease, or creative vision.
Take the Mount Gretna United Methodist Church (MGUMC) Drendall Endowment, for example. This philanthropic fund has quietly underwritten a variety of projects that have made a lasting impact: improved accessibility to the Tabernacle, enhancements to the MGUMC community, support for programming, and funding for this magazine.
These values often center on preservation, creativity, inclusivity, and spiritual connection, which are principles passed down through generations and expressed in formal and informal giving.
Some Gretna visitors describe an inherited ethic when it comes to stewardship.
“My grandparents had a cottage here, and I remember tagging along with them to paint walls or helping at special events,” says William Anderson of Huntington, New York. “They didn’t call it philanthropy. It was just what you did if you loved this place.”
Cultivating a culture of philanthropy
Yet philanthropy in Gretna is not without complexity. While giving unites people, it can also raise questions about access, influence, and visibility. Who gets to decide where the money goes? Who feels empowered to apply for a grant or serve on a board?
These questions are not rhetorical. They point to the generational, economic, and cultural shifts taking place in small communities across the country, including Gretna. Younger residents may engage differently, often favoring collaborative projects over institutional affiliations and contributing their skills instead of financial resources. Seasonal renters may be less connected to legacy giving efforts, but they generally express strong passion for sustainability, social equity, and public arts.
“I think we’re redefining what giving looks like,” says a graphic designer and Gretna resident who moved to the area during the COVID-19 pandemic and wishes to remain anonymous. “When I volunteer for an event in Gretna, that’s my contribution. It might not be a $5,000 donation, but it’s still meaningful.”
This spirit of broadening the definition of philanthropy is evident in the quiet, often unsung initiatives that may not make headlines but shape the culture of Gretna.
It resides with the caregiver who checks in on older neighbors during the winter and with the art teacher who generously donates time each summer to lead children’s programming at the Mount Gretna Community Library. It’s found in the simple but thoughtful act of a neighbor walking deliberate paths through the snow around vacant cottages, creating the impression of an active presence to deter unwanted attention. These everyday gestures of care and vigilance speak volumes about the kind of community Gretna strives to be.
“One of the things I most appreciate about Mount Gretna is that giving here is not transactional,” says Carrie Munson, a frequent visitor from Erie, Pennsylvania, who returns year after year for the community’s tranquility and hospitality. “It’s relational. You see a need, and you respond. You witness beauty, and you honor it. Generosity here is woven into the rhythm of daily life.”
This relational giving has also shaped the physical landscape of Gretna. The historic Tabernacle, lovingly maintained through volunteer efforts and donations, remains a sacred and civic centerpiece. The Mount Gretna Playhouse, which was rebuilt after a devastating roof collapse, has been upheld by widespread community fundraising. It now thrives as the home of Gretna Theatre and other cultural events.
And yet, the question remains: How do we sustain this spirit of giving into the future?
Maintaining a culture of philanthropy requires openness in practical and philosophical terms. It involves creating accessible pathways for participation and recognizing that meaningful contributions come in many forms. Philanthropy is not limited to large financial gifts. People can express it through mentoring a young person, restoring a public bench, or serving on a committee tasked with thoughtful decision-making. At its core, sustaining generosity begins with a willingness to engage.
This article invites you to do just that: Engage. Reflect on the ways philanthropy has shaped your experience in Gretna. Consider how your gifts — whether they are financial, artistic, practical, or relational — might align with the needs of the community. Have you been part of a tradition of giving here? Do you have a vision for what stewardship could look like in the years to come?
As we continue this series in future issues, we hope to highlight more stories of community care, challenge assumptions about giving, and celebrate the generosity that threads through Gretna’s past, present, and future. Each story will serve as a reminder that philanthropy is not reserved for a few — it is a shared practice that strengthens the bonds among us. By lifting up diverse voices and everyday acts of stewardship, we aim to inspire deeper reflection, greater connection, and continued engagement across the extended Gretna community.
Kevin C. Wells is a writer, community volunteer, and proud Mount Gretna resident. Serving on the Mount Gretna Campmeeting Association Board of Managers and as chair of its communications committee, he also works in education administration. Kevin treasures Gretna’s close-knit spirit and delights in sharing stories that spark connection and a sense of belonging.