WARSAW — Utilizing a baseball theme, for the annual Kosciusko Community Foundation Celebration Luncheon, a home run was hit by the local foundation and announced. The luncheon was held Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Champagne Jam, Warsaw.

The home run was the foundation reaching its “Bring It Home” campaign of raising $1 million in community funds, to be matched by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The deadline wasn’t until March 31, 2016, but last week the foundation met and exceeded its goal raising $1,145,833. “We couldn’t have done it without incredible donors. This will add $80,000 in grant making,” said Brenda Rigdon, development director.

The event featured a celebration of what was accomplished and a glimpse of what is underway, the field of dreams — stories of three grantees, and the impact these donors are making, recognition of retiring board members, professional advisers and newly elected board officers.

A brief video reviwed the year: establishment of 19 new funds, granting of over $2.5 million in grants hosting an educational workshop for teachers, hosted and participated in an Ag/business breakfast, Ag Day and 4-H Auction; brought women together at The Power of the Purse, Women Building Legacies luncheon; and awarded over $457,000 in scholarships to nearly 200 area students.

Jerry Yeager, president, welcomes guests.

The youth philanthropy group Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services, with its 20 members, read to over 1,000 second graders to promote literacy. The foundation also recognized 36 members through the 2015 Heart of Golds and supported many more areas. There were over 250 people involved in the scholarship committees.

Light noted there were many donations received in memory of individuals as well as hundreds of individual and corporate donors.

Field Of Dreams

Throughout the event baseball terminology was used and following the seventh-inning stretch, at which time the Bring It Home campaign goal was announced, Light presented the Field of Dreams. She briefly recapped the popular 1989 movie but noted it was about more than baseball. “It was about restoring missed changes, healing a broken relationship, saving a child’s life …”

Light presented three stories of grantees to help understand the impact donors are making. “This year we wanted to feature three stories from donors, how people with caring hearts found their field to share their dreams.” Light stated.

The stories were about the late Carl Wendel, Betty Jane Clover and Mary Ellen Rudisel. Wendall created the Carl N. Wendal Scholarship. Clover established the Reuben F. and Betty Jane Clover Charitable Fund and Jordan and her husband Jim established the The Waymaker Endowment.

The Wendel Scholarship is awarded to a student going on to further education. He also established a community fund to help with changing needs and made a generous donation to the Good Samaritan Fund.

The Reuben F. and Betty Jane Clover Charitable Fund has helped fund Christmas decorations in Leesburg and the town’s candeleria. The fund has also helped causes such St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Animal Welfare League and the town of Leesburg.

The Way Maker Endowment helps churches and places of enrichment to be accessible to all people.

Recognitions

Jerry Clevenger recognized for 10 years of service by Suzie Light, executive director.

Katie Darr, Syracuse and Jefferson Hankins, Warsaw, were recognized as new board members, but were not present. Retiring board members Jerry Clevenger and Sharon Sommers were also recognized. A resolution of appreciation was read about Clevenger, who served on the board for 10 years, he served on the executive, grant and scholarship committees, chairing the finance and investment committee for four years. Sommers was not present.

Rex Reed and Dana Krull were added to the Philanthropy Round Table Hall of Fame in the presentation of the professional adviser recognition. These individuals help connect clients to the Community Foundation in order to realize charitable dreams. Each received a Philanthropy pin.

Elected officers presented included Jerry Yeager, president; Allison McSherry, vice president; Rob Parter, secretary and Steve Snyder, treasurer.

The evening ended with the annual Kiss Goodnight in which each person attending to choose an organization to receive grant money. The groups listed were those dealing with recreation.

Individuals can learn more about Kosciusko Community Foundation by visiting www.KFCFoundation.org. The organizations 2015 annual report is also available.