Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A donation of $1 million to the Carl Wendel Scholarship Fund was a representation of the theme "Where Donor Dreams Shine" at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation annual meeting Tuesday at the Ramada Plaza.
Wendel, owner of W&W Trucking, created the scholarship fund through a bequest in 2005. His intention was to help people who, first, want to be diesel mechanics, and second, others who want to attend school for skilled trades, like auto mechanics, etc. John Elliott, 1st Source Bank, presented the check from Wendel's estate for $1 million, and said additional funds will be added following complete settlement of the estate.
Bob Condon, board president, presented the annual report and the theme "Where Donor Dreams Shine." He said, "Our function is to make your dreams shine. We're starting our 38th year, and we're one of the older of the 92 foundations in the state. We were number 12 when we started in 1968."
Highlights of the annual report were:
• Reached $30 million in Foundation funds.
• 11 new funds established.
• $240,000 in scholarships awarded to almost 300 students.
• Received a Lilly Endowment of $250,000.
• Donations in the past year increased by 150 percent.
• Since 1992, the Foundation has granted more than $8 million.
• Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services, which includes 20 students in eighth grade through high school at Tippecanoe Valley, Wawasee, Warsaw and Lakeland Christian Academy, awarded $30,000 in educational grants.
• 43 people were recognized in the "Heart of Gold" program.
• The Good Samaritan Fund, established by Ethel Vandermark to help families in medical crisis, receives support of K-21 Foundation.
Condon said, "Only through your support and continued confidence are we able to continue and grow. More than 100 volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. All of this wouldn't have happened without our staff."
He introduced Suzie Light, executive director of the Foundation, who last week received the Susie Hazelett Award for leadership in grantmaking from the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance at their annual meeting in Indianapolis.
Light thanked "all of the donors present today." She recognized the three retiring board members: Carolyn Anderson, Dick Green and Al Wuthrich. The four new board members are Vern Landis, Jerry Yeager, Cindy Zehr and Jack Birch.
Board member Tony Garza conducted the election of officers. Elected were Bob Condon, president; Craig Tidball, vice president; Mindy Truex, secretary; Brad Bishop, treasurer; and Suzie Light, executive director.
Speakers on "Dreams" were: Joel Hogle, a junior at Wawasee, and Alex Hall, a senior at Warsaw Community High School, who spoke on what KEYS means to them; Roz Morgan, with Our Father's House; and Henry Zehr.
Morgan said, "Our Father's House would not be here today without Suzie Light and Jerry Krailis. When we needed a new stove, I didn't know anything about the grant-writing process. Stephanie Overbey came to us, sat down with us, wrote down all the information, and I signed it." As a result, Our Father's House received a commercial range and oven purchased through a Kosciusko REMC Operation Round-Up Fund grant. Morgan said, "I owe Jean Northenor, I owe Stephanie, and I owe KCCF heartfelt thanks for things that you do to make dreams come true."
Zehr spoke on the support he and his family received while his daughter, Kailey, was treated for congenital arteriovenus malformation. Special treatments for the disease were available only at two hospitals in the United States. As a result, the family made 17 trips to the Swedish Medical Hospital, in Denver, Colo. The Foundation's Good Samaritan Fund, established by Ethel Vandermark, provided assistance with the cost of the trips.
Zehr told how his family was impacted by donor Ethel (and Everett) Vandermark and the Good Samaritan committee. He said, "Mrs. Vandermark was the office manager at REMC until she retired at age 72. While she was at REMC, she established the Good Samaritan Fund to 'reach her dream.'" The Vandermarks had no children, but the purpose of the fund was to help families in medical crisis.
Zehr also cited Bible passages and his faith as sources of support during Kailey's illness. After 18 days at Riley Hospital for Children, Kailey died Oct. 3, 2005, at age 15. A scholarship fund at the Foundation was established in her memory by Edgewood Middle School.
For more information on KCCF, call 574-267-1901.
