Kosciusko Community Foundation Recognizes Heart Of Gold Recipients
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Kosciusko County Community Foundation held its annual Heart of Gold awards reception Tuesday night to honor those who have served Kosciusko County.
The ceremony was at Center Lake Pavilion.
There were 45 Heart of Gold recipients recognized and the top 10 received plaques. The Heart Of Gold program recognizes ordinary people who perform extraordinary acts of kindness to others.
All nominees had the opportunity to designate a KCCF grant in their name to the charity of their choice.
Recipients are recommended by community members who nominate them. There are 10 nominees who were selected by Kosciusko County Community Foundation volunteers to have their stories highlighted during the reception.
Recipients were selected based on their service to others, identifying a need and fulfilling it, working to create positive change and inspiring others to volunteer.
John Bonner was recognized for his contributions to women and children in need in addition to his service to his church community.
Bonner transports area children to the Shrine Hospital in Chicago for orthopedic medical treatment and to a Cincinnati Hospital for burn patients.
Daphne Duncan was recognized for her commitment to bringing hope to children in need.
Now, as a college student, Duncan is the founder and president of Grace College's chapter of College Mentor for Kids. The group brings 40 children in the Winona Lake area to the Grace College campus. Those kids, many from poverty situations, learn about the possibilities of college someday and are mentored by caring young adults.
Pam Thornburgh was recognized for her dedication and commitment to children and people with disabilities.
Thornburgh volunteers with Cardinal Services at their North Webster Head Start classroom.
Every Thursday afternoon, she works with the children, ranging in ages from 3 to 5, often bringing with her puzzles, books or stickers, which she purchases with her own money or any other item that she notices the classroom needs.
Veronica Helser was recognized for her care and concern for others and for her ability to develop compassion in the young people she works with.
Helser has worked for several years with an orphanage and church in Haiti to bring food, supplies and hope to the country. After the earthquake, she led Warsaw Community Schools in meeting some of Haiti's needs.
Mackenzie Cloutier was recognized for creating positive change through her work with Latino youth in the Warsaw, Wawasee and Tippecanoe Valley school systems.
She has worked with Sus Amigos and DePuy's HOLA program to provide opportunities for young Latinos in business and leadership. She also helped organize an after school club, Building our Language Leaders of Tomorrow.
Barb Lehman was recognized for helping those most vulnerable in the community.
Lehman was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2002. Since then, she has advocated for 50 abused and neglected children.
Jeff Smith has used his personal journey from addiction to sobriety to help others in their journeys. The men at Serenity House know him as a caring, compassionate champion of the sober life, all wrapped up in a tough, no-nonsense exterior.
His service to the community extends beyond the walls of Serenity House through his volunteerism with K-Code, United Way, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Kosciusko County Probation Department.
BK Turner was recognized for all of her service to those in need. She raised a child as a single mother and is now a grandmother. Her experiences put her in a position to understand the challenges that teen parents are facing. After retiring from teaching in Florida, she moved to Indiana and immediately involved herself in the community.
For his commitment to serving others, Collin Abbott was recognized.
Looking for volunteer opportunities for the Honor Society, Abbot invited Cardinal Services to make a presentation to the incoming senior class at Warsaw Community High School about their volunteer needs.
Scott Bauer was recognized for his dedication to helping school children.
Bauer was recognized for being a mental health therapist with Warsaw Community Schools since 1994. There, he assists students overcome emotional problems, learn coping techniques and function in a regular educational setting.
