2022 Summer/Fall Newsletter

O W E N C O U N T Y C F. O R G • S U M M E R / FA L L 2 0 2 2

District-wide Pre-K for Owen County

COMMUNITY PROJECTS Page 2

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Page 4

EDUCATION Page 6

SCHOLARSHIPS Page 8

MEMORIAL & HONOR GIFTS Page 10

MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR The Owen County Fair always provides your Owen County Community Foundation directors with the opportunity to meet people in the community. This year I had the honor of meeting many of you while manning our booth. As a retired school librarian, it’s always fun to see and visit with many of my former students and their parents. One of my favorite visitors this year was school superintendent Andy Cline who stopped by to tell me that he was in possession of a library book from a former student that was 25 years overdue! I hope that many of you were able to stop by our booth and visit with our staff and board members.

Last year when we were conducting community focus groups to help us develop a new strategic plan, we discovered that many of them didn’t really know what the OCCF does. In preparation for working at the fair, we spent some time working on what we call our “elevator speech” about the Foundation. An elevator speech is a brief way of getting across a key point or two. It’s called an elevator speech because it takes roughly the amount of time you’d spend riding an elevator with someone. I was able to practice my elevator speech with a few of you who stopped by the booth, but I can always use more practice. If you have questions about what your Owen County Community Foundation does or you would like to hear my “elevator speech”, feel free to stop me any time!

Myrna Fields

OCCF Chairperson

VISION

MISSION To enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County, now and for generations to come.

To be the trustworthy resource for philanthropy by building permanent endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership resources to serve our community.

VALUES PHILANTHROPY: We will promote community involvement and charitable spirit.

STEWARDSHIP: We will support and preserve donor intent across generations.

LEADERSHIP: We will act as a catalyst and collaborate with others to build a better tomorrow.

INTEGRITY: We will act ethically in every relationship.

EXCELLENCE: We will meet or exceed expectations in all we do.

RESPECT: We will honor the dignity and worth of all.

New Board Members Ed Staubach Ed resides in Poland with his wife, Joani, and their many pets. Ed is a retired music teacher who moved to Owen County in 2005. Ed is currently an active volunteer with the OCCF’s scholarship committee, Spencer Pride, and a community orchestra. Ed’s many years of experience in education and community leadership make him an invaluable asset to the Foundation.

Ronda Stogsdill Ronda is a lifelong resident of Spencer and currently works for Indiana University as a Project Manager. Ronda has been an active member of the Spencer community for many years and she currently serves as a director for BBP Water Corporation, Spencer Main Street, and a member of the Tivoli’s Events Committee. We are thankful for the talent and expertise that Ronda brings to our organization.

Summer Interns The OCCF was able to add not one but two internship positions this summer thanks to a generous grant made by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and funding from the state’s EARN Indiana program.

Grace Pendleton filled one of these internship roles, shadowing the work at the Community Foundation for the remainder of the summer. Grace hopes to establish a nonprofit organization of her own one day, and greatly values the knowledge and experience she is able to obtain while working at the Foundation.

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Abby Warthan is the Community Foundation’s MYPath intern. She hopes to one day teach in Owen County, utilizing her experiences with MYPath in her classroom.

As an intern, Abby’s main job was to help organize the New Meadow Project with project manager Kyle Hannon, overseeing the transformation of a large meadow into a pollinator garden and recreational spot along the MYPath Trail.

Grace and Abby both graduated from Owen Valley High School in 2021 and are currently sophomores pursuing degrees from Indiana University - Bloomington. Both Grace and Abby became extensions of our staff and their work this summer has been invaluable.

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Meet your Board & Staff Myrna Fields - Chair Tom Wallace - Vice Chair Amber Mullin - Secretary Kaye Erney - Treasurer Rob Babbs Barbara Bonness Susan Coulter David Friedel Marilyn Hart Heather Light Grant Minnemeyer Ed Staubach Ronda Stogsdill Dale Walker

Janet Rummel President & CEO ceo@owencountycf.org Maria O’Connor Senior Director of Programs and Administration maria@owencountycf.org Karah Bobeck Director of Development & Communications karah@owencountycf.org

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS Owen County Veterans Park Flag Display In time for Memorial Day, the Owen County Veterans Memorial Park set their sights on a new flag display to honor each branch of the service. This display proudly sits on the 68-acre tract of land that was developed into the Veterans Park through the work of many members of the local community. The Foundation provided a $5,055 grant towards the purchase of the new flags and bases. We encourage our community to take advantage of Veterans Park’s offerings: a shelter house, playground, and a beautiful nature trail, named after veteran Barry O. Gatzke.

New Flags at the Owen County Veterans Memorial Park

Owen County Public Library Pavilion When out and about downtown Spencer, you may have noticed the on-going construction taking place in the Owen County Public Library’s parking lot. As time has progressed, the Owen County Public Library’s new pavilion has begun to take shape - fully equipped with a poured concrete floor and stage, and eventually, WiFi, security cameras, and lighting. The pavilion will be utilized for a variety of public events, and individuals and organizations may contact the library for reservations. The Foundation contributed $25,000 to this community project, which has been entirely funded through donations from the public.

Public Fireworks Display

This year, when $10,000 was needed for the community fireworks display, the Owen County Chamber of Commerce reached out to your OCCF to take advantage of our new fundraising offering - crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is when large groups of people pool together small individual investments to provide the capital needed to get a project off the ground. Utilizing the Foundation to assist with an organization’s fundraising allows for easy and convenient giving options, access to a wide network of a community-minded audience, and the ability to keep all donations local. In the end, the full amount was funded, and our Sweet Owen community got to enjoy another patriotic, firework-filled, Independence Day!

We hope to work with other nonprofit organizations in the future to help them reach their fundraising goals!

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Judge Kelsey Hanlon Receives Lilly Scholars Network Lead Forward Grant for MYPath The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) and partner, 2003 Owen County Lilly Scholar Kelsey Hanlon, are thrilled to receive a Lilly Scholars Network Lead Forward Community Grant of $2,500 to develop the MYPath Pollinator Garden.

Lead Forward Community Grants, available to current and alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, are rooted in one of the fundamental reasons for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program - to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

People walking on MYPath will be able to enjoy beautiful native flowers and the sights and sounds of bees, butterflies, and birds, and the pollinator garden will provide an outstanding living laboratory for learning and exploring.

MYPath Awarded Highly Competitive Grant

On April 20th, Governor Holcomb announced that the Department of Natural Resources awarded the MYPath Trail System a Next Level Trails Grant of nearly $640,000 to complete a key section of the trail. MYPath was one of 38 selected out of 61 applications.

Integral to the Town of Spencer and Owen County’s economic development and quality of place initiatives, the MYPath Trail System connects residents and visitors to the county’s natural landscapes, including streams, wetlands, floodplains, and forests.

With this grant, MYPath will upgrade the surface of the Riverfront Trail, making it bicycle and wheelchair accessible. A nod to Owen County’s history, the project will reclaim the abandoned Hancock School Road bridge to extend the trail over Elliston Creek. From there, the trail will connect with a newly established trailhead and pavilion at the DNR White River Access Site. The community gains ADA-access to scenic White River vistas, a reforestation project, a wetlands area, the New Meadow prairie reclamation project, and a noted eBird Hotspot.

Efforts are currently in place to extend the trail to McCormick’s Creek State Park, McCormick’s Creek Elementary School, and eventually to the Ellettsville Heritage Trail System, another Next Level Trails recipient.

The Next Level Trails Grant program is designed to incentivize collaborative efforts to accelerate trail connections. The grant provides $639,483 in state funding and is matched by $301,317 in local contributions.

Matching funds include the value of the property, volunteer work, the value of the abandoned bridge, and monetary contributions from the Owen County Community Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, and Smithville Charitable Foundation.

Originally conceived in 2016, the vision is to connect the Owen County Family YMCA to McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Community members interested in participating in volunteer work days should visit the MYPath Facebook page for details or contact Kyle Hanlon at mypath@owencountycf.org.

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GRANTS Bringing a Big Impact to Owen County

So far, in 2022, your OCCF has administered more than $739,000 in grants and scholarships. Our core programs and community impact initiatives are designed to support students, strengthen nonprofits and solve community problems while delivering solid results and leveraging relationships.

Community Investment Grants

Owen County Extension Homemakers - $1,000 - Used to purchase and screen print totes and books for the Homemakers’ Ready Reader Program.

This program has been active for six years and provides between 170 - 200 kindergarten students at Owen County schools with books and bags to promote their education.

Owen County Fair Association - $4,800 - Funding used to preserve and protect the Open Class Building from flooding during periods of heavy rain. This was accomplished by correcting the slope of the ground, allowing the water to drain property, protecting the building and its contents.

Owen County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development - $5,000 - Used to launch an initiative to identify best practices, align funding opportunities and create a final broadband recommendation to help provide affordable, high-speed internet to the town of Spencer and surrounding communities.

Spencer Elementary School’s Ms. Grandi and her kindergarten students.

Rapid Response Grants

Rapid Response Grants are another new addition to the OCCF’s menu of grant offerings. The intended purpose of Rapid Response Grants is to provide immediate support of up to $1,000 for operations, emergency equipment purchases, and funds for completing a project. As of September 13, nine Rapid Response Grants have been awarded:

• Coal City Volunteer Fire Department - $1,000 - New Generator Purchase • Crossroads Ranch - $1,000 - Bunkhouse Capital Purchase • Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park - $1,000 - Equipment Purchase • Owen County Preservations, Inc./Tivoli Theater - $1,000 - Wi-Fi Upgrades • Owen County Sheriff - $1,000 - Owen County Jail Adult Education Program • Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest - $1,000 - Nonprofit Startup • Purdue Extension for Owen County - $650 - Amish & Plain Community Training • Spencer First Church of the Nazarene - $1,000 - Inventory & Supplies for the Community Garden • Spencer Lions Club - $600 - Upgraded Electricity

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The OCCF presents a check for $65,000 for Owen Valley Middle School’s new Young Entrepreneur Shop

Providing Educational Opportunities in Owen County for All Ages

District Wide Pre-K - In March, the OCCF provided S-OCS with a grant for $35,479 to purchase a new bus for Pre-K students, which the district needed to move forward for the implementation of district-wide Pre-K. Additionally, the OCCF entered an agreement to pledge up to $24,000 for Owen County families, who meet certain criteria, to receive funds to offset costs related to pre-school. Since April, the Foundation has provided nearly $111,000 in Pre-K scholarships to S-OCS and Cloverdale Community Schools.

OVMS Maker Space - The Maker Space project at Owen Valley Middle School kicked off in 2021 when local teachers presented a proposal to give the Little Shoppe of Books, a student-run business, a facelift. After interviewing each OVMS student, it was clear that the students yearned for more hands-on projects. The result of this school-wide need was the idea for a Young Entrepreneur Shop, a maker space for students, which would provide resources and opportunities for students to design and build their ideas through the use of electronics, 3D printing, and other material crafts. The OCCF funded the project’s start-up costs, including teacher training and space renovation. Over $79,000 in grant funding was provided from our Foundation to bring this project closer to completion.

OVHS Patriot Manufacturing - Established in 2020, Owen Valley High School’s Patriot Manufacturing is a student-run, self-sustaining business where students learn real, hands-on, life skills while designing, processing, and selling quality merchandise. On a daily basis, students create invoices, work with customers, trouble-shoot machinery, make quality products, and maintain financial records. This program finished their first year with a total of over $25,000 in sales. The OCCF has awarded over $4,000 to students and teachers to help them continue this valuable work.

Owen County Adult Education ELL Program - This successful English Language Learners (ELL) program, which began in 2021 and continues to operate, helps adults from all backgrounds become more proficient in speaking and writing in English. Owen County Adult Education has received $16,500 in funding to jumpstart and continue serving Owen County residents through this beneficial program.

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SCHOLARSHIPS Your OCCF proudly presented 73 scholarship awards to high school seniors and post-secondary students during the April 24th, 2022 Scholarship Celebration. This year, over $127,000 in scholarships was awarded, $54,000 more than awarded in 2021. $108,071 was awarded to 32 Owen Valley, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and White River Valley High School seniors, and $19,800 was awarded to 10 postsecondary students who are currently attending college and technical schools.

This year, OCCF presented three new scholarships: the Geraldine & Wilma Bucklew Educational Scholarship, Morgan L. Drescher Family Scholarship, and the William Truax Family Scholarship. Many scholarships have different eligibility requirements; however, one element remains the same – they make higher education more accessible and affordable for Owen County students. The complete list of scholarships awarded this year is listed below.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Dev Patel NEW Geraldine & Wilma Bucklew Educational Scholarship Mackenzie Carver NEW Morgan L. Drescher Family Scholarship Logan Bridges NEW William Truax Family Scholarship Marina Knieriem Babbs Supermarket Scholarship Marissa Taylor Bennie J & Joan R Woodruff Scholarship Lucas Hendershot Braysville Homemakers Scholarship Ethan Fulk Charles T Cooper Scholarship Haley Frank Charles W. Edwards Scholarship Maleah Kristoff Clinton & Louise Abrell Scholarship Breanna Davis Coyne Family Scholarship Kenzington Brown David Campbell Gray Scholarship James Truax Dick (Mr. Dyar) & Sue Dyar Scholarship - Part 1 Cloe Sharpee Dick (Mr. Dyar) & Sue Dyar Scholarship - Part 2 Norah Beeman 2021 Dick (Mr. Dyar) & Sue Dyar Scholarship - Renewed Julianna Hartman Educators Philanthropic Investment Chapter (EPIC) Scholarship Marissa Taylor 6

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Elliott Hickam Memorial Scholarship Marissa Taylor

Lyle & Marion Brighton Scholarship Alexandra Sartelle

Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship Breanna Davis

MacMorran Family Scholarship – Part 1 Victoria Hey

Freedom Alumni Scholarship Zackary Hamilton

MacMorran Family Scholarship – Part 2 Phillip Meek

Gary McCarter Scholarship Nathan Goss

MacMorran Family Scholarship – Part 3 Grace Pendleton

George & Nancy Thurston Scholarship Grace Coryea

MacMorran Family Scholarship – Part 4 Emily Stierwalt

Gosport Alumni Scholarship Olivia Wainscott

2021 MacMorran Family Scholarship – Renewed Abigail Herrington

Gosport Lions Club Scholarship Emily Wright Ione W. Fulk Scholarship Abigail Herrington James P. Root Scholarship Bethlee Von Bokern Jefferson Twp/Coal City Alumni Scholarship Haley Frank Jeffrey Wayne Johnson Scholarship Victoria Hey Jim & Wilma Fulford Scholarship Kyndall Drake John Moore Scholarship Zackary Hamilton Josephine Brown Owens Scholarship Haley Frank Judy Hamilton Education Scholarship Victoria Hey Lloyd H & Rosalie E Lucas Agri-Science Scholarship - 4H David Stone Lloyd H & Rosalie E Lucas Agri-Science Scholarship - FFA David Stone Loretta Heidrick Memorial Scholarship Kayla Kyle

2021 MacMorran Family Scholarship – Renewed Maleah Kristoff Margaret Marley Pinkston Scholarship Waid Stormes Mearl & LaVerne Brown Scholarship McCartney Wright Melvin R. & Margaret A. Hall Nursing Scholarship Emily Stierwalt Michael Job Vocational Scholarship Emily Stierwalt Mildred E Harbison Scholarship Brock Rosenberger Monroe, Long & Butts Vocational Scholarship Ethan Fulk Myrtle S. Marshall Business Scholarship Nathan Goss Our Community Bank Scholarship Andrea Wood Owen County Farm Bureau Scholarship – Part 1 David Stone Owen County Farm Bureau Scholarship – Part 2 Victoria Worland

Owen County I.U. Varsity Club Scholarship Cloe Sharpee Owen Valley FFA Scholarship Brock Rosenberger Patricksburg Alumni Scholarship Matthew Crum PFC Brett Wood Memorial Scholarship Brock Rosenberger Quincy Alumni Scholarship – Part 1 Zackary Hamilton Quincy Alumni Scholarship – Part 2 Lily Wallace Quincy Alumni Scholarship – Part 3 Emily Wright Quincy Alumni Scholarship – Part 4 McCartney Wright Rebecca & William Applegate Scholarship Elizabeth Johnson

Roma Wilson Scholarship Victoria Hey

Tri Kappa Cochrane Royer Scholarship Norah Beeman

Ronald E. & Carol L. Patterson Dillingham Scholarship – Part 1 Andrea Wood

Tri Kappa Continuing Education Scholarship Allison Staples

Ronald E. & Carol L. Patterson Dillingham Scholarship – Part 2 Ryan Woodward

Tri Kappa Lillian Dyar Music Scholarship Norah Beeman

Sons of American Legion Joe Carmichael Memorial Scholarship – Part 1 Zackary Hamilton

Tri Kappa Vocational Scholarship Katelyn Collier

Sons of American Legion Joe Carmichael Memorial Scholarship – Part 2 Jaden Padgett

West & Parrish & Pedigo Scholarship Matthew Crum

Spencer Alumni Scholarship – Part 1 Matthew Crum

Vada Baker Scholarship James Truax

Woody & Barry Franklin Scholarship Jerry McBee

Spencer Alumni Scholarship – Part 2 Haley Frank

Dev Patel, 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar Dev is a graduate of Owen Valley High School and received the 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship award through your OCCF. In high school, Dev was very active as the Treasurer of the Class of 2022, a 4-year OVHS tennis player, and manager of the girls tennis team during the 2021-22 season. He earned the added honor of graduating Valedictorian of his class. Outside of school, Dev served as a dedicated volunteer on the MYPath Trail System and participated in the Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. He will be attending Purdue University studying this fall to study engineering.

“It is a great honor to receive the Lilly Scholarship,” Dev says. “I would like to thank the Owen County Community Foundation for believing in me and giving me this honor. This small and amazing community has given me many opportunities, including this scholarship, and I am grateful for them. The Owen County community has made me who I am today. I am now going to Purdue University for engineering and excited to see what new opportunities wait for me there.”

The Patel Family

To be considered for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, students must be a resident of Owen County County, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 on a 4.00 scale and have an SAT/ACT score of 1100 or above, or the ACT equivalent (21).

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MEMORIALS The individuals listed here have been honored by a contribution to one of the permanent endowed funds within the Owen County Community Foundation. Memorial gifts provide a way for families and friends to remember their loved ones. Honor gifts recognize friends or family on occasions of a birth, anniversary, birthday, holiday, or any special celebration. Tributes are another way to make a lasting impact in the community with a contribution to your OCCF. We received the following Memorial and Honor gifts from January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022. The name of the person being memorialized or honored is in bold.

Mary Ackerman Patty Ackerman Mace & Ellen Clark Doug & Susan Cull Paul & Dana Cummings Steve & Jeanne Custer Richard & Myrna Fields Craig & Mary Haverfield George & Carol Hill IU Alumni Association Don & Marilyn Jackson Jennifer Jackson Vic & Shirley Kinney Jane Mellenthin Eric Newsom Lori Quillen Donald & Ann Reighard Mary Gates Rice Thomas & Lynn Robbin Tom & Becky Wallace

Max Anderson Babbs Supermarket

Bruce Corpe Vicki Basman

Richard “Dick” Dyar Anonymous The Allison Family Jerry & Colleen Blair Robert & Sandy Burns Ron & Barbara Carter Dan & Wendy Colglazier Steve & Peggy Cradick 8

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Wally & Kathy DeFord Bonnie J. Dyar John & Sylvia Dyar Barbara Engle Tammy Ewbank Tom & Karen Fulk Joe Ed Greene John & Cindy Hackworthy Hal & Sue Hanes Robert & Mary Hawkins Tina Hayden John & Deanna Heckman Insurance Services, Inc. Don, Marilyn, & Jennifer Jackson Judy Jenkins Sean & Meredith Jenkins Buck & Nan Johnson Alvin & Mariellen Katzman Kathy & Dennis Keyes Joe & Brenda King Vic, Shirley, & Jason Kinney The Lindman Family Charles & Bonnie Macy Kevin & Jill McKay Jane Mellenthin Greg & Anita Murray Robert & Nancy Oberholtzer The O’Connor Family Directors, Officers & Staff of Owen County State Bank Steve & Becky Pedigo Lori & Gary Quillen and Family Mary Gates Rice Debbie Sheppard Jack & Linda Simmerman Sons of American Legion Post 285 Curtis & Benita Thacker Linda, David, & Kristi Thomas Kim Tucker Tom & Becky Wallace Gordon & Diane Wells Aeriel White Tad Wilson Phillip & Suzanne Zook

Dave & Doris Scully Jack & Linda Simmerman

Rev. Samuel Freeman

Richard & Myrna Fields

Ronda Stogsdill

James “Jr” Harkrider

Hunter Houck The Houck Family

Jason Hinkle Myrna Fields

Phoebe Kay Dixie Richardson

John King Cassie (King) Derck Brad & Robin King Cameron King Nolan King Alyssa Rice

Richard Lancaster Rob & Cassie Babbs

Brady Lenning Spencer High School: Class of ‘70

Kelly McGullis Mary Ellen C. Smith

Harley Melton Owen Circuit Court Judge Lori Quillen and her staff Lori & Gary Quillen and Family

Mary Ann Miller Bruce & Mary Hamlin

Lew Moke Raymond Parks Patricia Morton

Dave & Doris Scully

Robert “Bob” Hancock Cloverdale Agri Center, Inc. Louis & Norma Crouch The Fuller Family Shirley Kinney Nancy Knapp Tom & Alyssa Rice

Every effort is made to ensure your name and your Memorial and/or Tribute is written as you wish. If your name or recipient is incorrect, or you wish you be listed differently, please contact the OCCF.

Kirby Stogsdill

Rosella Parks Tim & Judy Bullock Dona Duncan William & Susan Friday Jason Megenhardt Nancy Megenhardt Tonya & JR Prentice James & Trella Schepper Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church Gerald Wells Jon & Jill Youngblood

Kay Pendleton Spencer High School: Class of ‘70

Jane Poole Martha Jean Buis

Oren Rubeck Gosport VFW 7850 Auxiliary

Leonard Smith Spencer High School Class of 1959

Phillip Snodgrass Mary Lou Carter Bobby & Mary Jo Hall Viola Hall Loretta Johnson Grace & Howard Langley Janet Poff Marilyn Truesdel

Anita Stines Spencer High School: Class of ‘70

Tom & Jennifer Abrell George Allison Tennille, Ben, Elora, & Calvin Andrade Anonymous Anonymous Rob & Cassie Babbs Michael & Judith Boyd Dean & Marcia Bruce Carol S. Byerly-Arnold Pamela Campbell Chris & Danielle Conner Dana & Paul Cummings Wally & Kathy DeFord John & Sylvia Dyar Frank Eberle Tracy Eccles First Insurance Group Franklin Insurance Agency Stuart Sherfick & Irma Jean Franklin David Friedel & Ann Mahrdt John & Nancy Fuhs Steve & Barb Goddard Charlie & Pat Hamilton Bruce & Mary Hamlin John & Deanna Heckman Roger & Cindy Herrington Dick & Vicki Hogan Insurance Services, Inc. Mark Kerns & Debbie Holcomb Brad & Robin King Bob & Carolyn Livingston Wilma Livingston Scott Loman Mallor Grodner LLP Nicholas & Makayla McCollum Evan McKalip & Shelley Harriman Jane Mellenthin Ken & Dianne Miller Grant & Colleen Minnemeyer The Nieto-Phillips/Namorato Family Maria O’Connor Mark & Julie Parmenter Steve & Becky Pedigo William Phillips & Rebecca Freeman Gary, Lori, & Jordan Quillen Elaina Ranard Leland & Emma Rentschler Tom & Alyssa Rice Tim & Connie Rice and Family Marcus Robinson Dave & Doris Scully Mark & Nancy Snapp Spencer Exchange Club Ronda Stogsdill Denise Sudol Damon & Suzi Summerlot Kayla, Brandt, & Elodie Tackett

Joshua & Shannon Temples Travelers Insurance Judy Tucker Gordon & Diane Wells West & Company Realtors Deborah Westerfield Deborah Winders Thomas Winders Steve Withem Steve & Nancy Wooden Jack Woodruff

Betty Taylor Gosport Class of 1955

Margaret Truax Shultz Yvonne Fidler

Denise Wells First Farmers Bank & Trust

Erika Wells Nancy Deal Sandy King John & Sandra McKay Robert & Cindy White

Marjorie Wells Lori & Gary Quillen and Family Fred & Mary Jo Thatcher Kim Tucker and Family

Roma Wilson Steve & Alice Parrish

Shirley Wilson Marilyn Sheppard DeFord Charles & Bonnie Macy Steve & Alice Parrish

Sandy Walker Alan & Donna McElroy

Max Wood Babbs Supermarket Sandra Wood

PFC Brett E. Wood Jack Laymon & Doris Miller

Gib Tucker Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Zach Tucker Dirk & Sherry Tucker Phyllis Tucker

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TRIBUTE GIFTS The 2021 Annual Report

Todd Handy

John & Marilyn Bain

Babbs Supermarket

Margaret & KT Abrell

Nancy Lorenz

Jennifer Abrell

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Monica & Olivia Abrell

Janet, Maria & Karah

Jennifer Abrell

Myrna Fields

Mandy, Sarah, and Jessica Abrell

Ed O’Brien

Jennifer Abrell

Kathy Abrell Jennifer Abrell

Nina Abrell Jennifer Abrell

Karah Bobeck Wally & Kathy DeFord Don & Marilyn Jackson

Annie Bright Anonymous David & Ann Henk Thomas & Sarah Holicky Maria O’Connor

Donnie Campbell Ronda Stogsdill

Judi Epp Anonymous

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Janet Rummel & Thomasina Marsili

Maria O’Connor Rob & Cassie Babbs Wally & Kathy DeFord Don & Marilyn Jackson Kappa Kapp Kappa, Inc. Alpha Delta Chapter Gail O’Connor Suzi Summerlot

Shawn Parrish Alice Parrish

Steve Parrish Alice Parrish

Spencer Pride Marissa Mallo

Thank you to all of the individuals who made Mark Rogers’ retirement party a success!

Mark Rogers George Allison Charles & Marge Neumeyer Steve & Alice Parrish Steve & Becky Pedigo Lori & Gary Quillen Dave & Doris Scully Ronan & Ale Young

Janet Rummel Wally & Kathy DeFord Don & Marilyn Jackson

Julia Sieradzan Steve & Alice

Diane Wells Anonymous Scott & Beth Carpenter Laura Cummings Larry & Bonnie Frank Marsha Nickless Franklin Tom & Karen Fulk Mari Beth Jones Nancy Sparks Curtis & Benita Thacker Lyndall Matherly

Remembering Two Community Pillars

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da & Kirby Stogsdill

This winter, Owen County lost two very important community members: Dick Dyar and Kirby Stogsdill. Before Dick’s passing, the Dick (Mr. Dyar) & Sue Dyar Scholarship was established to honor his and wife Sue’s many years of dedicated service to the education and medical communities. This scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2021, and it was awe-inspiring to have Mr. Dyar present to meet the first recipient: another generation of students positively impacted.

In the wake of Kirby’s passing, the Kirby Stogsdill Memorial Fund was immediately established to carry on Kirby’s eternal legacy. Kirby was a lifelong resident of Owen County, attending Owen Valley High School and Indiana University before settling in Spencer, beginning a successful career in insurance and raising a family.

Kirby’s passion for the community was apparent in everything he did in life and he volunteered his time at many local organizations. Kirby’s adoring wife, Ronda, is currently serving on the OCCF’s Board of Directors and is continuing her family’s tradition of giving back to her and Kirby’s home community.

Dick and Kirby will forever be remembered and engrained in the rich spirit of Owen County through the many lives that these two exceptional beings touched. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Dyar and Stogsdill families as they continue to heal.

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Nonprofit Spotlight: Owen County Art Guild The Owen County Art Guild (OCAG) is a longstanding nonprofit organization that has served Owen County artists and helped non-artists discover their talents for several decades. For over 30 years, the OCAG has been housed in a former canoe rental and bait shop located near the White River on the south side of downtown Spencer. The building flooded due to high water levels, which left the building with mold issues and a great deal of damage. During the OCAG students show off their artwork recent flood’s cleanup, the building’s art display wall was hit by a motorized vehicle, causing additional internal and external damage. To make matters worse, in 2020, the organization was forced to close down due to COVID-19, and the building was left with little funding or upkeep.

Amber Mullin, the OCCF’s Board Secretary and Grants Committee member, performed a pre-grant site visit to the OCAG. During her initial visit, her report claimed, “the repaired walls are unpainted and lacked shelving or display ability” and that the “restrooms and kitchen area contain mold.” She further explained that “the building was not usable for classes, art displays, or any programs that would provide funding for the OCAG.” Due to the OCAG’s apparent need for immediate support, the OCCF provided a $2,500 Community Investment grant to fund the OCAG’s cleanup. During a follow-up visit, the OCAG was proud to report that the grant assisted with repairs to all major damages of the building including leaks, cracks, and missing display units, as well as cleaning and restoration of the bathrooms, kitchen area, program/display space, and the office/store. A board member was happy to show a calendar of events with classes for adults and youth and a growing list of paying OCAG members.

We are happy to report that this has been a very successful Community Investment Grant, allowing the OCAG to resume its mission and programming. The nonprofit’s Facebook page shows the beaming faces of adults and children alike who are enjoying the creative offerings of this valuable organization.

A Site to Behold

The Foundation’s website received a much-needed update from Director of Development & Communications, Karah Bobeck. “Together as a team we have been hard at work bringing your OCCF to the next level. It was time that we had a website that offers our constituents a comprehensive, user-friendly experience that truly shows all that our organization has to offer.” Check out our website’s fresh new look at owencountycf.org.

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HOW THE OCCF WORKS It starts with YOU the donor An individual, family, business, or charitable organization makes a tax-deductible gift of cash, securities, real estate, or other property.

With a PASSION for your community Your gift creates or adds to a charitable fund to benefit causes important to you now or in the long term.

Human/animal welfare, education, human services, the environment, church of your choice or any cause important to you which betters our community

Whose GIFTS are used Gifts such as cash, securities, real assets, retirement funds, insurance, and bequests. No gift is too small.

To CREATE & BUILD funds for the community Funds are invested prudently for long term growth and overseen by an investment committee of local professionals.

DISTRIBUTIONS from the fund fulfills your charitable passions through grants to charitable organizations and/or scholarships The support your fund provides to nonprofit projects, organizations, and student scholarships strengthens our community while creating your lasting legacy of giving.

ALL FUNDS are governed by an agreement between OCCF and the donor.

— Unrestricted — Donor Advised — Designated — Agency — Field of Interest — Scholarships

The OCCF Team

• • • • • •

Meets with donors to determine which type of fund is right for their goals Assists donors with giving complex gifts Helps donors grow funds Offers expertise on community needs Preserves donors wishes in perpetuity Provides regular statements on fund activity

HOW TO GIVE SCAN TO GIVE! Open your smartphone camera and aim it at the code like you’re taking a picture. Then click on the popup!

Visit Our Website:

owencountycf.org Mail your donation to:

OCCF, P.O. Box 503 Spencer, IN 47460 The Legacy • Summer/Fall 2022

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OCCF

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Spencer, IN Permit No. 503

60 E. Market St. P.O. Box 503 Spencer, IN 47460

IMPORTANT DATES 2022

• November 11: Deadline to submit Community Investment Grant Application.

• November 12-18: Community Foundation Week recognizes the important work of community

foundations throughout America and their collaborative and innovative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sector.

• November 29: Giving Tuesday, often stylized at #GivingTuesday for purposes of hashtag activism, refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It is a movement to create a national day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.

• November 30: Recipients of Community Investment Grant Application notified.

• December 9: The online application process begins for all OCCF scholarships. For details visit owencountycf.org/students.

• December 15: Last day for scholarship recipients to request their spring semester checks.

• December 31: Last day to make year-end gifts for 2022 tax purposes. Start planning now!

2023

• January 19: Online Scholarship Application Closes at 11:59 p.m.

• February 1: Deadline to submit Community Investment Grant Application.

• February 28: Recipients of Community Investment Grant Application notified.

• April 23: Celebrate our #OCCFscholars by attending the OCCF’s Scholarship Awards program.

Contact Us info@owencountycf.org YourOCCF

812-829-1725 OwenCounty_CF

owencountycf.org owencountycf