SPRING 2020
JCCF NEWS Jennings County Community Foundation Newsletter
Board Members Linda Erler- President Kathy Dove- Vice President Bill Dillon- Treasurer Darlene Bradshaw- Secretary Greg Hicks Teri Doran Dixie Tempest Judith Smith Alisa Gasper Ellie Bright Gene Rudicel Jessi Hill Yarbrough Steve Elsner Adam Davis Trent Wisner
Staff Joanie Van Horn- Exec. Director Stevi Wilson- Office Manager Lexi Kipper- Intern
IN THIS ISSUE: Wildey Family Sch. COVID-19 Fund Gala Update Essay Contest Memorials/Tributes
ANNOUNCEMENTS 6/11/2020 JCCF Annual Meeting
9/26/2020 Glow Run
JCCF Honors a Family Dedicated to Education A scholarship to honor the family of Morris J, Wildey (18771946) and Lona Stephenson Wildey (1885-1972) has been established at the Jennings County Community Foundation. Morris and Lona Wildey reared 5 children: Flora Wildey Brooks, Earl Wildey, Hellen Wildey Ochs, Roy Wildey (who passed away at the age of 1) and Murrel Wildey. Morris and Lona loved and cared for their 10 grandchildren Rosabell Brooks, Jay Brooks, Diana Brooks, Carolyn Wildey, Morris Wildey, Carl Wildey, Albert Ochs, Charlona Ochs, Sharon Wildey and Judith Wildey. The scholarship will go to a JCHS graduating senior going into the education field and will be awarded again this year to a 2020 senior. "I thought it was time to honor our grandparents in some way," said Sharon Wildey. My grandfather was a firm believer in education and saw to it that his own children received special job training. Hellen, Flora, Murrell and Earl, each of whom were successful in their own right, thanks to their parents' insistence in furthering their education for a career. Hellen was a nurse; Flora a bookkeeper; Earl a barber; and Murrell a mechanic. Morris remembered his grandparents vividly. Both were active in the community. Morrus, served as a township trustee and was an active Democrat who held several jobs in local government. Lona served as a volunteer in her community. They lived on Irish Hill in North Vernon along with many families whose names remain known in that area. Sharon, whose father was Murrell, first suggested the scholarship "I think it is important to honor the people who lived the history of the county and a scholarship to a young student is the avenue to do that" Sharon recently contributed additional dollars to help continue to build the fund.
COVID-19 Relief Fund The Jennings County Community Foundation has launched the COVID-19 Jennings County Relief Fund, which intends to lead a collaborative, community response to deploy resources to local nonprofit organization throughout the county. This fund will provide flexible resources to organizations in the Jennings County area working with the community who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak. The first phase of this work is intended to be a rapid response to immediate needs. After speaking with other community leaders we are aware that with school closings, many young people could be missing out on their one meal for the day but the Jennings County School Corporation has acted quickly to address that issue by providing their meal pickup services at each school. Low wage and/or hourly workers may further struggle with access to food as well and we wanted to help bridge that gap to make sure no Jennings County resident is without food. With this in mind we were able to quickly provide a grant to the Jennings County Coordinating Council to help provide enough food boxes for those needing assistance over the next three months. Currently the JCCC is handing out a seven day box which includes three meals a day for a family of six. Any Jennings County resident can receive a box. For more information you may contact Bee Murphy at 812 346-5183. Joanie Van Horn, JCCF Executive Director and Kathy Dove, JCCF Vice President, present a check to Bee Murphy at JCCC. As we learn more about our local needs and the changing nature of this unprecedented situation, we will adapt our process and maintain focus where it is needed most. If you are interested in making a donation to the COVID-19 Fund you may visit us online at www.jenningsfoundation.net or mail payments to JCCF 111 N. State Street North Vernon, IN 47265
Gala Update
Our community’s health and welfare is our greatest concern. Given the latest guidelines about slowing the spread of Covid-19, limiting large gatherings is the responsible thing to do. We have therefore made the decision to postpone the 2020 Diamonds & Ice Gala, originally scheduled for Saturday April 18, 2020. If you purchased a gala ticket or table package, your tickets will be honored for a new date to be announced. We will be working closely with Anna from Willow Lake Event Center and want to thank her for working with us and supporting the postponement the best they can. There are many great items donated by local businesses and our members, and many of the items do not have to be used right away but some do. We will be doing an inventory of packages and determining the best route for those items that have an expiration date effected by Covid-19. The Jennings County Community Foundation is always more than just a fundraiser; it’s a crucial time for us to come together, strengthen our sense of community, and honor our donors, who have made such a difference in Jennings County. We can’t wait to make that happen so stay tuned for additional information about a new date.
Please contact us if you have any questions, would like to donate to a fund, or open a new fund. Phone Number: 812-346-5553 Email: jccf@jenningsfoundation.net Website:www.jenningsfoundation.net
Also you can add us on Facebook and Instagram by searching for JC Community Foundation! Memorials and Tributes Heirloom Fund/Past B o a r d M e mb e r Larry Cunningham
Josiah Yeager Scholarship Fund Michael Gerth
Ethan J. Reynolds M e mo r i a l Scholarship Kendra Haessly Shirley Baker Margaret Hendricks Wilma Binford
Congratulations to our 2020 6th Grade Essay Contest Winners! Molly Wathen- Hayden Elementary School Riley Byford- Scipio Elementary School Brady Sentz- St Mary Elementary School Madison Stater- Brush Creek Elementary School Gabrielle Morin- North Vernon Elementary Emmaleigh Jones- Graham Creek Elementary School
Benjamin & Carmen Lawler
Morgan Rhea Gibson M e mo r i a l Scholarship Rita Rork Sherri Wager
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid North Vernon, IN Permit No. 9
111 N. State St. North Vernon, IN 47265
Address Service Requested
Your gift can TRIPLE your impact in Jennings County!! Because of the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Challenge Match JCCF will be adding a 200% match for all donations made to our Community Undesignated Fund until 12/31/2020 or until Match Funds are depleted. All designated funds will be matched 50% until December 31st or until Match Funds are depleted.
Triple your Donations!! $5 becomes $15 $50 becomes $150 $100 becomes $300 $500 becomes $1500