Despite some of the toughest economic times in years, it appears that philanthropy and volunteerism are recession-proof, at least in Kosciusko County.
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation held its annual meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Ramada Hotel in Warsaw.
First Source Bank's John Elliott and attorney Max Reed, representing Bill and Dolores Pittenger, announced the establishment of a memorial fund in the Pittengers' names.
Elliott and Reed presented a $170,000 check that will go to fund programs like Baker Youth Club, Animal Welfare League, Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Scouts of America.
Elliott noted that both were very active in service organizations while they lived in Warsaw.
At the end of the meeting, KCCF Executive Director Suzie Light announced that $50,000 would be donated to a task force to keep high schoolers from dropping out.
Light noted that in Kosciusko County, the non-graduation rate is as high as 20 percent in some schools.
Ott Schroeder, State Farm and facilitator of the task force, accepted the check along with Warsaw Community High School Principal Troy Akers, Wawasee High School Principal Ellen Stevens and Dr. Thomas Edington, Wawasee Schools superintendent.
Outgoing board member the Rev. Jerry Yoder began the meeting with the invocation and was recognized later in the meeting by Light for his eight years of service.
Light recognized Greg Sasso for his 10 years of service on the board.
KCCF President Brad Bishop talked about the theme of this year's meeting, "Times Like These".
"We want to highlight some of the donor-driven activities," Bishop said.
He noted that more than $1.7 million was given in the form of grants while $424,000 was given to more than 220 students in the form of scholarships.
Also of note, 24 new funds were establish during the 2009 fiscal year and 200 volunteers were recognized, including 69 at the annual Heart Of Gold event.
Bishop also gave a presentation on the recently formed OrthoWorx business league.
The formation of OrthoWorx is a result of a $7 million grant awarded to the KCCF by the Lily Endowment.
"When somebody comes to you with $7 million, that's a pretty good year," quipped Bishop.
The Orthopedics Capital Foundation also was created because of the grant.
Bishop went over what the money will go to and attempted to clear up the intent of the money.
"There is some misconception that it is solely to help orthopedic companies," said Bishop. "It's much more than that. It would be hard to find anything in there that wouldn't help the community as a whole."
Bishop talked about what a BioCrossroads report released this summer suggested Warsaw and Kosciusko County could do to, among other things, build a stronger brand.
"This was probably one of the most exciting things I've experienced in my 16 years at the foundation," said Light of the grant.
Light also reiterated Bishop's point that the grant was a way to build the community as a whole and not just the orthopedics sector.
The board of directors for OrthoWorx held its first meeting last week, according to Light.Board member Jim McFadden presented and the group voted unanimously to retain Bishop as president; Craig Tidball as vice president; Mindy Truex as secretary; Jerry Yeager as treasurer; and Light as the executive director.
Rod Parker also was recognized as the newest board member.
