EMS board members presented a donation check in the amount of $750,000 to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to establish the Kosciusko Civil Services Fund. Pictured in front, from left, are: Kim Finch, EMS Board Secretary; Gary Sponseller, EMS President; Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation Executive Director; and Jerry Kammerer, EMS board member.
In back are, Scott Sigerfoos, EMS Director; Tony Doyle, EMS Operations Manager; Ron Robinson, EMS board member. (Photo provided)

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A $750,000 donation from Multi-Township EMS to Kosciusko County Community Foundation establishes a new endowment, the Kosciusko Civil Services Fund to benefit the Kosciusko County community.

The purpose of the new fund is to provide charitable support and assistance to area fire departments, law enforcement, emergency services and projects or programs related to emergency response. Examples of grants that could be made from the fund include: funding for civil services education or training, emergency response equipment, defibrillators, police or fire protective gear, emergency shelters, and severe weather alert systems.

The sizeable donation was made possible through the acquisition of Multi-Township EMS by Lutheran Health Network in August 2015.

“The Community Foundation regularly receives grant requests from fire and police departments and municipalities for projects or purchases related to emergency response. This fund will generate grant dollars every year to help us respond to those requests,” said Kosciusko Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light.

“For 38 years, representatives of Multi-Township EMS and now Lutheran EMS Kosciusko have been committed to delivering quality emergency medical service coverage to the Kosciusko County community. This endowment will allow their good works to continue locally for many years to come,” said Scott Sigerfoos, director of Lutheran EMS Kosciusko.

The Kosciusko Civil Services Fund is endowed, which means the original gift is not spent. Rather, it is invested and the earnings made available for grant making, forever. One hundred years from now, this fund will still be providing support to our local communities to meet the emergency needs of its residents.

Nonprofit organizations and communities located within Kosciusko County may apply for grants from the Community Foundation online. Grant application deadlines throughout the year are Jan. 15, May 15 and Sept.15.