Support of efforts such as 5th annual Kay’s Way Supply Drive reflect Krapohl legacy
An unassuming, yet powerhouse group of moms, business leaders and community volunteers is the driving force behind Kay’s Way. This year’s supply drive runs May 8 to May 23, benefitting local residents through the Isabella Child Development Center, which has delivered free preschool since 1969, and Foster Closet, which supports youth and teens in foster care.
The annual event generated more than $15,000 in cash and goods in 2024. It is organized by the roughly two dozen members of the Women’s Initiative Committee, which oversees an endowment fund of the same name at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.
Their inspiration comes from Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl and niece of his brother, Harold, who together launched Krapohl Ford in 1950. They instilled the trait of giving back in Kay, whose 2008 obituary listed more than 30 volunteer organizations she had served.
Today, her daughter-in-law, Shelly, follows suit, one of the quietly influential women who help bring high-impact, local projects to fruition.
Shelly Smith, a co-owner of Krapohl Ford, is a Women’s Initiative member. She gives credit for Kay’s Way to others, including co-chairs Leah Rau and Shannon Vautrin Brown. She also mentions local philanthropist Judy Smith (not related), who started the Women’s Initiative with Kay in 2003 by raising $80,000 in four weeks to fund the endowment.
While Shelly and her husband, Mark, a third-generation Krapohl owner, usually avoid the limelight, she addresses local commitment below in honor of the dealership’s 75th anniversary.
What was Kay Krapohl Smith like?
Kay was joyful and enthusiastic. She enjoyed all her volunteer efforts and loved the Community Foundation. Kay went out of her way to help people. I remember her hiring international CMU students who were young, sometimes married. They did odd jobs and she’d have them for dinner. Kay believed people shouldn’t suffer; that if we can give them a leg up, we should.
How did Kay inspire your volunteer efforts?
Early on, I joined the Greentree Cooperative Grocery board. I’d never been on a board, but Kay was really encouraging. She said I had to find my passions and serve to advance those. Later, with Kay’s experience as a Community Foundation trustee, we opened a pass-through fund at the Foundation to hold all of the donations for creating the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum.
What’s the significance of Kay’s Way, and what’s your role with it?
Kay’s Way supports the community. You can take supplies to Krapohl Ford or Weichert Realtors|Broadway Realty. You can donate to Isabella Child Development Center or Foster Closet through the Foundation. We’re so fortunate to have the Community Foundation — such a trusted organization — safeguarding local philanthropy.
As for my role, I help promote Kay’s Way, invite others to participate and have hung posters around town.
What’s Krapohl’s involvement in Kay’s Way?
Krapohl is a collection site for supplies, and the staff gets involved by contributing. Mark designates a day — May 21 this year — when 100% of oil change revenue from Quick Lane Tire and Auto is donated to the supply drive. Literally every penny someone pays for an oil change that day will go to Isabella Child Development Center and Foster Closet.
What are your thoughts on Krapohl’s 75th anniversary?
It’s amazing to think of Krapohl Ford as part of the community for 75 years. We’re thankful for how the community and dealership have provided not only for our family, but for the families of everyone who’s worked for Krapohl since 1950. Mark is deeply committed to the community. It means a lot to support organizations that were important to his mom, dad, grandparents and now to us, including the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum and Sleepy Dog Books Foundation.
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