Check out what’s happening at the foundation!

Janet Hinen, a well-known, much loved, local educator recently created an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Whitley County to share her love of teaching. The Giving a Helping Hand Fund was entirely her idea and for generations to come, it will benefit k-5th elementary school teachers new to Whitley County Consolidated Schools.

A graduate of Columbia City High School and Ball State University, Janet spent her entire career teaching at Whitley County Consolidated Schools before retiring in 2016 due to illness. Known for inviting entire classrooms of students to her home for end-of-year water fights, hosting Tickled Pink fundraisers where kids could tell a joke for a quarter, and bringing in treats for no reason, Janet’s most important gift has been showing those around her the true meaning of kindness. Her endowment fund will provide grants to help each teacher make their classroom a special place. The money can be used for decorations, snacks or supplies for a unique classroom project; the choice is theirs. Grants will be made to teachers in both traditional and special needs classrooms during their first year of employment at WCCS.

Janet’s hope is that her love of teaching will be carried forward. You’ll know that is occurring when you come across a teacher who is a shelter for the quirky kids, allowing them to be who they are and celebrating their differences; a teacher who tells jokes and laughs at theirs; who sings, dances or does jumping jacks to start the day; and a teacher who, at some point during the school year, makes each student feel as though they are a favorite. Janet urged each student to be their best self, but the most important lesson she taught was how to be a good person.

“Miss Hinen’s classroom was more than a classroom. She showed me how to love learning. I had fun, I was challenged, welcomed, encouraged and appreciated. Looking back, it’s hard to remember a classroom that was filled with as much love as Miss Hinen put into hers,” said former student Brooks Walker, now a sophomore at Huntington University and an intern for the Community Foundation this summer.
Anyone can make a tax-deductible contribution to The Giving a Helping Hand Fund. Gifts can be sent to the Community Foundation at 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City, IN or on-line via Paypal at www.cfwhitley.org.

Ty Murphy’s dream of erecting a memorial  to Viet Nam veterans on Whitley County’s Courthouse Square is inching closer to reality thanks to recent donations fro…m a grateful community. The employees of Reelcraft, several of them veterans themselves, raised $2,000 toward the cause. Earlier this month Max Busz presented Murphy with a $500 contribution on behalf of Star Tire and Automotive. Murphy hopes to unveil the memorial on Veteran’s Day of 2017 but still needs $5,000 before the monument can be ordered The Foundation is honored to be holding funds for the project.Tax deductible contributions can be made on-line at www.cfwhitley.org or by mailing checks to CFWC, 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City, IN 46725.

2016 Scholarships Awarded

The Community Foundation was also able to award over $100,000 in scholarships to deserving students from throughout the County who will be continuing their post- secondary educations at trade schools, colleges or universities.  Below are the 2016 scholarship recipients:

Churubusco High School

• Ben Konger Memorial Scholarship, Kari Riehle
• Buesching-Tucker Memorial Scholarship, ​Leah Miller
• Churubusco HS Fine Arts/Thespian Scholarship, Donovan Geiger​
• H.A.N.D.S. Scholarship, Reed Geiger
• Jakes Scholarship, Davis Sturgis
• Andrea Norman Henry & John Anthony Norman Theater Scholarship, Donovan Geiger
• Paul Schmidt Football Scholarship, Donovan Geiger and Landon Harris
• Scientific & Regulatory Consultants Scholarship, Alec Nash and Mariah Nondorf
• Andy Spencer Memorial Scholarship, Donovan Geiger
• ​Ashley Morgan Storm Memorial Scholarship, Caitlyn Young
• Turtletown Players Scholarship, ​Donovan Geiger and Noah Stucker
• Charles White Nursing Scholarship, Alec Nash
• Megan Christine Young Memorial Scholarship, Audra Gierscher

Columbia City High School

• Tyler Andreas Memorial Football Scholarship, ​Dylan Reed
• Kenney Beck Changes in Lattitude Memorial Scholarship, Autumn Stine
• Randy Bills Memorial Scholarship, Ryan Mosher and Trevor Scharpenberg
• Bob Brittain/CCHS Alumni Scholarship, Taylor Daniel, Bridget Hinen, Macenzie Lane, Natalie Roberts, and Katie Wieigel
• Lawrence & Freida Bunnell Memorial Scholarship, Athena Arnold, Taylor Duncan, Rylee Hackworth, Macenzie Lane, and Kendall Stiverson
• Class of 1963 Scholarship, Alyssa Collins
• Demoney Grimes Life Science Scholarship,Javier Perez
• Joey Devito Memorial Scholarship, Jonathon Fix
• Distinguised Young Women of Whitley County Scholarships, Taylor Duncan,Avery Hile, Natalia Johnson
• Russ Fahl Family Athletic Scholarship, Spencer Klimek and Hannah Wappes
• French Club Scholarship, Desiree Fey, Aaron Franks, and Macenzie Lane 
• Betsy Jayne Gates Memorial Scholarship, Natalia Johnson
• James E. & Janice M. Hammer Academic Team Scholarship, Gason Feist, Aaron Franks, Heather Fritz, and Katelyn Johnson
• H.A.N.D.S. Scholarship, Natalia Johnson
• Tim Hearld Memorial Scholarship, Leah Mills
• Ernest Heinbach Scholarship, Gavin LaRue
• Robert Hood Memorial Scholarship, Chase Emmert
• Tammy Horne CCHS Soccer Scholarship, Lauren Cooper
• Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, Lauren Rainey
• Todd Jagger Memorial Scholarship, Hunter Langeloh and Cody McClure
• Jakes Scholarship, Hunter Langeloh
• Lady Eagles Basketball Dime at a Time Awards, Reagan Decker and Natalia Johnson
• Margo Langohr Art Scholarship, ​Jessica Shelby
• Dan Mullett For the Love of a Child Scholarship, Hannah Wappes
• Natalie Mason Mullins Scholarship, Hannah Bridegam, Lauren Cooper, Avery Hile, Bridget Hinen, Macenzie Lane, Gavin LaRue, Jacob Melvin, Ryan Mosher, Kendall Stiverson, and Daniel Weber
• Tom Ness Award, ​Hannah Wappes
• Ohki Scholarship, Heather Fritz
• Tiffany Parker Scholarship, Rylee Hackworth
• Tina Parker Tray Memorial Award, Hannah Wappes
• Steven K. Raypole Art Award, ​Taylor Daniel
• Richard “Kit” Redman Memorial Scholarship, Trevor Scharpenberg
• Eric Reed Memorial Scholarship, ​Rylee Hackworth
• Daniel Rock Memorial Scholarship, Taylor Duncan, Rylee Hackworth, and Jacob Melvin
• Joseph & Irene Shull Scholarship, ​Bridget Hinen and Dylan Reed
• Kenny Simon Award, ​Hannah Wappes
• Spanish Club Award, Brea Fisher
• Jacob Tarleton Memorial Scholarship, Meghann Hill
• James E. Thompson Memorial Scholarship, Bridget Hinen
• Alan Tio Manufacturing Scholarship, Christian Lacy
• Howard & Mimi Wherry Scholarship, Taylor Duncan, Rylee Hackworth, Macenzie Lane, Dakota Shilling, and Bethany Yoder
• Charles White Nursing Scholarship, ​Avery Hile
• Whitley County Builders Association Scholarship, Heather Fritz and Kassandra Rawleigh
• Whitley County Korean War Veterans Memorial Scholarship, Cody McClure
• Whitley County Retired Teachers Scholarship, Bridget Hinen and Hannah Wappes
• Rely & Izora Zumbrun Scholarship, Jennifer Deathe, Molly Green and Spencer Klimek

Whitko High School

• Daniel E. Bolinger Memorial Scholarship, Garrett Cokl
• Bernice Carver Scholarship of Hope, Alyssa Hurd
• Gene C. Carter Memorial Scholarship, Emily Hughes
• Demoney Grimes Life Science Scholarship,Emily Hughes
• Distinguised Young Women of Whitley County Scholarships, ​Mikala Findley and Veronica Palmer
• Ann Hamilton Whitley County Art Guild Scholarship, Alexis Fortman
• ​Robert & Grace Karst Nursing Scholarship, ​Elizabeth Reeser

GIVING WHERE WE’RE LIVING

Whitley County Residents gift $200,000 through Community Foundation

Pictured: Tom LaRue, Chief, Columbia City Fire Department with Dr. Laura McDermott, Assistant Superintendent, and Dr. Patricia O’Connor, Superintendent, Whitley County Consolidated Schools

Whitley County residents, past and present, used their Community Foundation to donate over $200,000 in grants and scholarships to worthy causes for the first half of 2016. The Foundation announced its May grants totaling $98,562 which included a $39,210 award to help the Columbia City Fire Department launch a new training program at Columbia City High School. Next fall, students interested in pursuing a fire-fighting certification will be able to learn the skills as part of their elective high school curriculum. “This grant aligned with the Foundation’s focus on education as we work toward increasing the number of adults in our community holding certifications or degrees,” said September McConnell, executive director of the Community Foundation of Whitley County. “This funding will help to support a new program in which high school students may opt to receive training to prepare for their fire-fighting certification which can be earned when they turn 18. The Foundation’s Board and Grants Committee saw this as a great collaboration. We are able to help the school offer a wonderful new program that will result in career-ready young adults. At the same time we know our local fire departments will benefit from an increased pool of well trained volunteers. Ultimately, the whole community is made better by this project,” said McConnell.

Other grants for the spring funding session include:

• TROY Center School, $10,000 for scholarship assistance

• Indian Springs Middle School, $8,752.70 for Literacy intervention kits

• Whitley County 4-H Clubs, Inc., $8,000 toward an upgraded public address system and a sidewalk project

• Children First Center, $5,000 for Community Education Programming associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome and a Nurturing Parents training.

• Community Harvest Food Bank, $4,000 toward the cost of bringing fresh vegetables to Whitley County twice a month via the Farm Wagon service. Made possible in part by a grant from the Ferber Family Fund.

• Helpline, $3,500 to help provide furniture, bedding and emergency assistance to people in need.

• Camp Invention, $3,000 to help offset the costs of offering local students the opportunity to take part in a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education camp.

• One Community, $3,000 toward the costs of running the South Whitley Preschool Program. Made possible in part with a grant from the Dekko Childcare Endowment Fund.

• Whitley County Farmer’s Market, $3,000 toward the Double Bucks SNAP/WIC Program that allows participants to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market.

• Erin’s House, $3,000 to provide grief support services to children from Whitley County.

• Gradway, $2,000 to expand the program that targets at-risk students at Whitko Middle School.

• Churubusco Community Childcare Center, $2,500 toward the cost of upgrading their website. Made possible in part with a grant from the Dekko Childcare Endowment Fund.

• Fort Wayne Philharmonic, $1,200 toward the cost of bringing their Annual Holidays Pops Concert to Whitley County.

• Humane Society of Whitley County, $1,000 toward the cost of complying with a new state law mandating spay and neutering. 

•  South Whitley Public Library, $900 to help offset costs of a Bicentennial project that will bring a Hoosier Children’s author and illustrator to the Library for a visit.

• Difference Makers, Inc., $500 toward the purchase of a grocery cart and flatbed dolly for the food pantry.

How Donors from the Past Are Making Gifts Today

Janice Hammer                                            

Last autumn, long-time CCHS educator and beloved community advocate Jan Hammer passed away at the age of 92, but last week she helped send graduating members of the High School’s Academic Team off to college with scholarships. If you are wondering how that is possible, welcome to the world of endowments.

Jan served on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation for over a decade and went on to volunteer for the organization for many years after her Board tenure expired. She was a tireless volunteer and a passionate champion for the public charitable organization, so when it came time for her to consider her legacy, she knew just what she wanted to do. Jan made a gift to the Foundation to create the James E. and Janice M. Hammer CCHS Academic Team Scholarships. Jan’s gift to the Foundation will never be spent. Ever.  Instead, her contribution is invested and earnings from her fund are used to award scholarships based upon the criteria that she determined. With far more reach than any monument set in stone, these awards are designed to last forever and are a lasting tribute to the value she placed on education.  Just as she did throughout her teaching career, Jan will continue to help Columbia City High School students go on to pursue their college careers, every spring, for generations to come.

If you would like more information on endowments, contact the Community Foundation of Whitley County at 260-244-5224 or visit our website at cfwhitley.org. Foundation staff are also available to give presentations to clubs and organizations interested in learning more about charitable giving and the great impact it can have on our community.

2016 Recipients of the James E. & Janice M. Hammer CCHS Academic Team Scholarships, Katelyn Johnson, Gason Feist, Aaron Franks & Heather Fritz

ISMS 8^th GRADERS EMPOWERED TO MAKE GRANTS

Charitable Champions Program Yields Real-life Results

One of the grants made was to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.

This year, things got real for 250 eight grade students at Indian Springs Middle School who took part in a unique hands-on learning journey called Charitable Champions. The year-long project was designed by members of H.A.N.D.S., the Community Foundation’s youth philanthropy program, with input from local educators. The goal was to introduce the middle school students to civics concepts such as non-profit organizations, community needs and charitable giving, in a meaningful way.

HANDS members produced the curriculum which launched through student workbooks and ten video lessons. The videos featured H.A.N.D.S. members covering topics such as philanthropy and grant making. Each week, enthusiastic educators guided mini-lessons and discussions on the material that mirrored state standard requirements.

In March, a non-profit fair was held at the middle school. About twenty local organizations were on hand to teach the 8^th graders about their missions and the roles their businesses have in our community. Afterwards, students divided into teams and spent the next few weeks doing research on a specific charity serving Whitley County. The students identified needs, determined budgets and ultimately wrote grant requests on behalf of their group’s non-profit. Each team presented their proposal to their classmates and teachers for a grade and a chance to advance. The top eight groups were selected to present their proposal to H.A.N.D.S. for real funding consideration.

ISMS Social Studies teacher Amy Shearer reflected on the value of Charitable Champions as it relates to project based learning which helps the students connect what they are learning with real life scenarios. She noted that Charitable Champions incorporates multiple subject areas: Social Studies (civics); Language Arts (writing); and Math (budget and finance). In addition the program was meant to empower students in their ability to make a difference by getting involved. “We want the students to learn how to identify what needs exist in their community and develop real-life problem solving skills. Here’s a need or problem; what can you do?” she said.

As it turns out, the students can do quite a lot. On Thursday morning, almost $7,000 in grants were awarded to six non-profit organizations . . . by eighth graders. Funded organizations included Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, The Center for Whitley County Youth, Giving Gardens of Indiana, the Columbia City United Methodist Church’s mid-week Meal, The Lighthouse and the Humane Society of Whitley County.

“I really loved the project and thought it was a great idea. We loved being able to interact with the students at their school during the Nonprofit Fair and see them take ownership over a need in our community.” Jeff Wike, Executive Director for The Center for Whitley County Youth, Inc. said. “It was a cool process to see them go to work on our behalf and having them follow up by stopping by the Center to ask questions, engage in the need and understand what the need was for our organization and what we are trying to do. I thought it was a great experience for us and the kids as well.” he added.

For over 20 years, H.A.N.D.S. has fulfilled the mission of empowering youth to be thoughtful grant makers while instilling skills they need to become successful community leaders. Since 1995, the students have recommended $200,000 in grants to education related projects in Whitley County. The students developed Charitable Champions as a result of a challenge offered by the Dekko Foundation, a longtime funding partner. Hoping to cast a broader net in terms of exposing students to philanthropy, H.A.N.D.S. members plan to continue the program at Indian Springs next year and expand into other school systems in the County.

Lauren Rainey, a senior at Columbia City High School, has been named the recipient of the Whitley County Community Foundation’s 2016 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. In addition to the four-year scholarship to an Indiana college of her choice, she will also receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.