Ripley County Community Foundation continues to make progress

 The Ripley County Community Foundation is growing, according to the report given by George Junker II, finance committee chair for the organization. He noted that 2008 was a difficult year, but “we had a good bounce back in 2009,” he told those gathered at the RCCF annual dinner meeting held June 23 in Napoleon.

In 2009, 12 families started named operating funds with five new memorial funds begun.

RCCF President Deb Locke thanked those with the foresight to help build endowments and noted one can begin a fund for as little as $1000.

Jenny Darnold, who serves as the volunteer task force committee chair encouraged people to make a commitment to help with the volunteer corps.

Luke Shaw, Batesville High School graduate and Trisha Lecher, an East Central High School graduate, both received full tuition, four-year scholarships along with a yearly stipend of $800 for books and equipment. Both were recognized at the meeting as being the 2010 Lilly Scholars.

Recipients of the 2009 Lilly Scholar awards were present at the meeting and told how the gift impacted their lives. Gerald Hardesty said because of the Lilly Scholarship he enjoyed his first year at Purdue University and didn’t have to worry about having a job to pay for tuition.

Valorie Wagner attended the University of Indianapolis on a Lilly Scholar and said it was a great honor. She said it helped relieve the burden of college debt. Both Hardesty and Wagner are graduates of Jac-Cen-Del High School.

Sally Morris, executive director of the foundation, presented the Executive Director’s Award to Amy Wonnell.

In doing so, Morris noted that Wonnell has been helping the RCCF since 1998 with the design of the annual report. She has created numerous items for the foundation including flyers and invitations.

Others recognized at the meeting included The Friendship State Bank who was named the recipient of the President’s Award for their outstanding support of the foundation. Bill Van Hook, retiring board member was recognized as “an incredible person and asset to the foundation.” Also recognized, but not in attendance, was Ron Knueven, who is retiring as a board member.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the foundation and in return make your community a better place to live, you can call 812-933-1098, visit the foundation office at 132 South Main Street, Batesville, or go online: www.rccfonline.org.
LINDA CHANDLER PHOTOS
Pictured above RCCF Executive Director Sally Morris, left, presents the Executive Directors Award to Amy Wonnell at the annual dinner meeting. Pictured below are scholarship winners for 2010: Brittany Brewer, Batesville High School; Kelly Borter, South Ripley High School; Luke Shaw, Batesville High School (Lilly Scholar); Trisha Lecher, East CentralHigh School (Lilly Scholar) and Alex Walter, Milan High School.