Donor Story: John Hallett, Westside Foundation’s First Executive Director
Donor Story: John Hallett, Westside Foundation’s First Executive Director
John Hallett’s connection, along with his wife Vicki, to the Westside District is rooted in family, education, and community. In 1974, they moved to the district, marking the beginning of a relationship that would span the next 50 years. Though the family had multi-generational roots as Nebraskans, it wasn’t until their children began attending Oakdale Elementary and, eventually, Rockbrook, that the Hallett family experienced the Westside District firsthand.
A Dedication to District 66
John’s involvement with the Westside District began informally, in coaching his children’s athletic teams. However, in the late 1990s, a more direct connection was cemented when he was invited to become the Executive Director of the Westside Foundation. At that time, the Foundation focused primarily on early childhood development. But John, alongside Superintendent Ken Bird, began expanding the Foundation’s reach and finding innovative ways to generate philanthropic revenue to support the work being done by the district’s faculty and administration.
Over the next decade and a half, with the leadership of Jeff Sharp, former chair of the Foundation Board, and Superintendent Bird, the Westside Foundation launched a series of major fundraising initiatives. These fundraising efforts mirrored those of small colleges, raising funds for critical infrastructure projects like artificial turf and remodel for the stadium, a new baseball/practice complex, a new softball stadium, a tennis complex, and even the construction of a theater at the middle school.
Belief in Westside’s Impact
For the Hallett family, Westside is more than just a school district – it was a place where their (and other) children thrived, and people believe deeply in the power of education. As John’s son, Randall, reflects, “Dad always talked about, in concert with Mom, that education was an opportunity for growth and achievement. One of the reasons I believe Dad was successful is that he believed deeply in the values and outcomes of the district for which he was raising money. He wasn’t selling; he was telling stories about what good comes from philanthropically investing in a public school district to make the experience richer for all students. It happened that the Hallett children were beneficiaries of this education.”
John and Vicki’s philosophy on philanthropy and volunteerism was simple yet profound. According to Randall, it centered around “Do the work, never talk about it, and don’t be seen doing it.” For them, giving back was never about recognition but the joy of helping others and sharing blessings.
Committed to Family
Beyond his work with Westside, John had many personal interests. He was an amateur historian, avidly reading and studying various aspects of history. Later in life, John enjoyed playing golf and counting the offerings each week at church. John also had a passion for family genealogy, tracing the Hallett family line back to 1623 when Andrew Hallett first came to America. But above all else, John cherished his family – nothing was more important than spending time with Vicki, their children, and later their grandchildren.
For the Hallett children, memories of their parents’ unwavering support are valued. “Dad, alongside Mom, loved to watch their kids participate in a myriad of activities, from games on Friday nights to hiding behind trees at golf courses around the metro to sitting in auditoriums watching stages filled with show choir performers, Dad and Mom simply wanted to sit in the corner unnoticed and enjoy their kids’ successes. Even with a vibrant business to be responsible for, Dad never missed anything we did. Mom was always seated at his side. And as kids, we knew that, and it still means a great deal to us today.”
The legacy of John Hallett and Vicki lives on in the Westside District, where their philanthropy, volunteerism, and unwavering support of education continue to inspire future generations. This includes a named scholarship fund that supports multiple students going to college each year. Their dedication to making the Westside experience richer for all students is a small example of what can happen when the community values public education, its students, and the uplifting power education provides to people.