VALENTINE, Neb. - We like to think we know our neighbors, and in a small town, you might think you know everyone in your community. But do you really?

“He was an introvert who tended to live life in the shadows,” said Sandhills Area Foundation President Kim Marlatt after visiting with Davenport's friend Anne Quigley.

This might sound like the start of a true crime story, but instead it’s about a truly generous gift.

“Many of you might ask, ‘Who was Michael Davenport,'" said Marlatt.

At this weekend’s Sandhills Area Foundation fundraiser in Valentine, the nonprofit awarded $93,000 in grants, much of it thanks to a nearly $500,000 donation from the estate of the late Michael Davenport—a man few in the area truly knew.

“We put a lot of that money into our endowment, so that we could use the interest for the future of Cherry County, but we wanted to give a large amount to the community because it was a totally unexpected gift,” said Sandhills Area Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Moore.

The largest grant—$50,000—went to the group working to transform a building on Valentine’s Main Street into a movie theater.

“My two boys haven’t been to a movie in their hometown. We have to travel to a movie theater—one to two hours possibly. It’s nice that they’ll soon be able to do that,” said Heart City Theater Corporation President Danielle Arganbright.

Other grants included more than $15,000 for a playground at Cody-Kilgore's new elementary school and over $14,000 to Valentine’s Wrestling Club.

“That matched what they had raised over the last probably ten years or longer. That’s going to enable them to get new wrestling mats,” said Moore.

Additional money is going to projects supporting childcare, medical services, and a cemetery.

“The sense of giving that’s here tonight makes us thrilled to be a part of the Cherry County area,” said Moore.

A spirit of giving, sometimes from familiar faces, and sometimes from neighbors we may never know.

“The best way to honor Michael’s memory is for people to see those who are invisible, to engage those who may seem alone or quiet or introverted. You never know what treasures are hidden in their minds, the experiences they can share, or the joys they can bring to your life, ” said Marlatt after visiting with Davenport's friend Anne Quigley.