Twelve Kosciusko County residents were honored Wednesday night for their selflessness and their service to others.

The second annual Heart of Gold Awards competition sought to recognize people for doing things to "brighten others' lives," said Kosciusko County Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light.

The winners were chosen by a committee that used a blind selection process - names, addresses and other identifying information were left off the nomination forms as the committee considered the entries. The selection process was so blind, in fact, that some committee members were considered and not recognized.

Winners of the Heart of Gold Award received plaques and monetary awards in varying amounts. The funds were then used by the winner to donate to a charity of their choice.

Winners were:

• $1,000 grants - Pam Kolter, Warsaw, for her involvement in many community and national organizations during "a lifelong habit of volunteering." A few of her projects include the Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko County, Literacy Volunteers of America, and the Breast Cancer Coalition and "Just Peachey Cookbook."

Roslynn "Roz" Morgan, who was recognized for "Our Father's House," a unique organization that serves hundreds of families and individuals in need. Our Father's House also employs Cardinal Center clients who make purses from donated clothing.

• $500 winners - John Teevan was called a person who "truly makes a difference in our community," with his involvement in the Cardinal Center, Faity & Families, Chamber Community Care Network, Kosciusko Leadership Academy, devotional leader at Combined Community Services and an active Optimist.

Mary Titus "is a woman whose focus in life is to serve others," which she does by working with kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs and at her church, volunteering with the PTO and 4-H, and working on philanthropic projects to provide children with emergency dental care.

Mazie Alexander is a 30-year volunteer at the Salvation Army, serving in several capacities there, and was described as "one of the best this county has to offer."

Gus Sideris, "a dynamo of energy," was instrumental in launching several community services, including Teens and Tots, Faith & Families, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Kosciusko County and Peabody Retirement Center.

• $250 grants - Vivian Eidemiller was called "the family angel" by a local family for helping provide a "loving, stable home life for their three young children" since the mother was severely injured in a car accident.

Karen Lowry, county Extension youth educator, was recognized for the time, money and love she gives to the 4-H program and Boys & Girls Club.

Todd Davis was told in 1992 that he had three months to live, and increased his volunteer activities. He was instrumental in starting the KCH Founders' Fund to help cancer victims' families with financial aid.

Dennis Hively, Steve Dodds and Dan Arthur share one grant and recognition for helping the family of a young local man hurt in a serious motorcycle accident. They helped the father stay with his son in the hospital, organized a fund-raiser, arranged for a wheelchair accessible van and are working on a handicap accessible home for the young man. [[In-content Ad]]