Crawford County, IN – The Community Foundation of Crawford County (CFCC)was pleased to honor seventeen community volunteers at its event held on June 14, 2024. As a philanthropic organization, the CFCC points out that philanthropy is about so much more than money. Sharing of one’s time and talents through volunteerism are significant parts of philanthropy and contribute greatly to the success of any community. To recognize volunteers who share their hearts by serving our community, the CFCC is proud to announce the honorees of the biennual Doris June Snider Kaiser Volunteer of the Year Award.
The Doris June Snider Kaiser Volunteer Award is aptly named due to support given from a fund by that same name to support the event. Ret. Col., Dr. Clarence James “Jim” Kaiser of Eckerty, IN, now deceased, established this fund at the time of his wife Doris’ passing as a way to honor all of her volunteer work in her surrounding community. Her volunteer efforts were extensive and the CFCC is humbled to be a part of such a legacy.
Duke Energy also sponsored the event again this year, which allowed everyone to attend free of charge. “We were honored to support Crawford County volunteers.” said Liz Cook Irwin, Government and Community Relations Manager for Duke Energy in southern Indiana. “We appreciate the vital role that volunteers play in strengthening a community!”
Nonprofits located in, or serving Crawford County were encouraged to submit the name of one adult or couple. This was NOT a competitive process, but one where each person, couple or pair who was submitted was honored.
The honorees and the people and organizations who submitted them are:
Dennis Belcher by Mary Chlipala of Giving Recovery A Chance Everyday
Sherri Bell by Monical Stephenson of Pinwheel Partners
George (Butch) Carley by Laura Zipp & Sara Combs of Crawford County United Ministries
Don & Betty Cook by Susan Mason of Community Presbyterian Church Leavenworth
John & Sherry Crawford by Bill Piper of Crawford County Historical and Genealogical Society
Mary Edwards by Donna Smith of the Crawford County Indiana Veterans Memorial
Angela Leonard by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Crawford County
Linda Mason by Louise Wright of the VFW Post 6160 Auxiliary
Shawn & Becky McClure by Megan Timberlake of Crawford County CASA
Jonathan & Angela Mitchell by Gail Peitzmeier of Purdue Extension Crawford County
Ronnie & Nikki Mitchell by Brenda Larud and Mary Crecelius of the Lincoln Hills Community Church Food Pantry
Eva Smith by Tami Redding of the English Civic Club
The volunteers were honored at an event on June 14, 2024 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the CFCC in Marengo, IN. The program was opened by Christine Harbeson, executive director for the CFCC, following by a prayer led by Pastor Kim Allen of Fairview Church and current CFCC board member. Honorees were featured in a visual presentation and celebrated through a reading about each volunteer by Irwin. The honorees received a special award of a cutting or display board with their name and award year wood burned into it, along with a commemorative booklet designed by the CFCC staff. Photographs were taken by Jadin Wolf of Dirt Road Designs and Photography in Marengo, IN. Those photos appear on the CFCC Facebook page at Facebook.com/CFCC4Ever. About 95 people attended the event. Honorees and guests all enjoyed a time of fellowship following the event that concluded after dinner and the program. The delicious dinner was prepared by Benny’s Off the Water of Crawford County.
To donate to this or other funds, establish a fund, discuss your charitable goals, or learn more about the Community Foundation of Crawford County opportunities, contact Christine Harbeson at charbeson@cf-cc.org or by calling 812.365.2900.
The Community Foundation of Crawford County was founded in April 1998 by a volunteer Board of Directors that represented a variety of interests in Crawford County. To date, the CFCC has awarded almost $10 million in grants for programs/projects supporting Crawford County children and youth, education, housing, health and human services, the environment, technology advancements, literacy and the arts, and has awarded more $3 million in scholarships benefiting Crawford County students. The CFCC currently manages more than 75 charitable endowment funds on behalf of families, individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.
Pictured:
2024 DJSK Volunteers of the Year Award Honorees
Seated Front Row L-R: Angela Mitchell, Betty Cook, Don Cook, Sherrie Bell, Linda Mason, Mary Edwards
Standing Back Row L-R Shawn McClure, Becky McClure, Jonathan Mitchell, Butch Carley, Eva Smith, Dennis Belcher, Nikki Mitchell, Ronnie Mitchell, Sherry Crawford, John Crawford, Angela Leonard