Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc. recognized 47 Heart of Gold nominees Thursday at the awards reception.

The awards highlight ordinary citizens who commit extraordinary acts of kindness and service for their neighbors, friends and even strangers in the community. Each person nominated received a Heart of Gold pin, a certificate and the opportunity to award a grant from the Community Foundation, in his or her name, to the charity of their choice.

Ten Heart of Gold nomination stories were highlighted as part of the the celebration.

Carolyn Lindemuth, Warsaw, was recognized for fixing meals and visiting the ill, altering prom and wedding dresses, baking cookies for church visitors, reading to residents of Grace Village and organizing the Bethany Movers.

Audrey Fancil, Warsaw, was recognized for her contributions to the Kosciusko County Senior Center, where she volunteers all year. Fancil helps prepare food, cleans, sets up for bingo and helps plan special events for the center. In addition, she visits an area nursing home for several hours each week.

Traci Henn, Syracuse, was recognized for spearheading a two-year fund-raising project for two new playgrounds at Syracuse Elementary School.

Richard Mitchell, North Webster, was recognized for his many years of public service. Mitchell helped form the ambulance service in the North Webster area, implementing the EMS lane numbering system that is in place today on the Webster, Barbee and Tippecanoe Lakes. He helped found a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothes and other assistance to the needy in his community. He met with the Dekko Foundation for the donation of the school used for the North Webster Community Building. He takes pride in the restoration of an abandoned cemetery where many of the community's original settlers are buried. He served the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township Fire Department for 35 years and the EMS for more than 27 years.

Jane Eherenman, Warsaw, was recognized for her many contributions of time and effort on behalf of the elderly and the disabled. For more than 15 years, Eherenman has served on the Human Rights Committee at Cardinal Center. She provides a voice for families who are concerned about the services their loved ones receive. Eherenman has a long history of volunteerism with the Council on Aging. She coordinates Mobile Meals, securing volunteers to drive the meal delivery routes, and she drives a route.

Mary Jo Stapleton, Warsaw, has mentored five young women through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, making many meaningful investments in their lives. Stapleton helps BBBS with fund-raising and volunteer recruitment efforts as well. In addition, she has volunteered with the Bowen Center and CASA.

Jeanne McCormack, Warsaw, is the kind of teacher who makes a difference in the lives of her students. She created the Step One program to help students connect their educational experience with the real world of employment. Most of her students not only graduate from high school, but are on the honor roll.

After losing his wife to cancer, Paul Gadson decided to help others who were battling the disease. He regularly drives cancer patients as far as Fort Wayne and Indianapolis for their treatments. He makes trips to pharmacies, doctors' offices and grocery stores of behalf of many. Many of his neighbors call upon Gadson in times of crisis.

Jerome and Carol Kloser, Warsaw, were nominated as a couple for their many years of service to others. Between them, the Klosers have provided transportation for the elderly or those who are ill, visited the incarcerated and the lonely, taught English as a second language and created and taught a special class at Sacred Heart for adults with mental disabilities.

Ruth Griswold, Warsaw, was nominated for her service and kindness to residents of Grace Village and Mason Health Care, where she shares hugs, smiles and encouragement. She volunteered for more than 10 years at Cardinal Center in a classroom for adults with disabilities. On Tuesdays, she volunteers at Lincoln Elementary School, reading with children, preparing classroom materials and tying endless shoelaces. One day a week, she volunteers at a local oncology clinic, serving the patients there.

Others recognized included: Mary Alice Beezley, Esther Berkey, Donna Bower, Gary Bowers, Kenny Christner, Max Clingaman, Janet Coy, Peg Custer, Pastor Myron Drent, Sharon Forte, Merry Gaerte, David Halyaman, Estalena Hamilton, Barbara Hawn, Emma Lou Hiers, Jon Hoppus, Gene Hughes, Sandy Knauer, Sally Mahnken, Joey McGrath, Mildred Meadows, Walter Olszewski, Geneva Ousley, Penny Ramos, Terry and Karen Roberts, Dan and Diann Schwab, Peggy Shively, Isom Slone, Karen Smith, Carl Sowers, Gary Teel, Joni Truex, Marge Warren and Sally Wise.

For more information about the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, contact them at 267-1901, stop by their office at 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, or visit their Web site at www.kcfoundation.org [[In-content Ad]]