Foundation, Kiwanis Partner on Ramp for Local Veteran

Several members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club and staff of the Porter County Community Foundation met on June 28th at the Portage home of Emil Cripe and Mary Ann Lonergan for the installation of an access ramp for Emil, a U.S. Navy veteran. Emil served aboard various ships from 1967 – 1971 as a Gun Line Radarman.

Members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis club installed a ramp at the home of U.S. Navy Veteran Emil Cripe.

Back Row, Left to right: Bill Higbie, Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO; Valparaiso Kiwanis Club members Steve Stackert & Larry Fikes; Mary Anne Lonergan, ramp recipient; Emil Cripe, U.S. Navy Veteran and ramp recipient, Kiwanis Club members John Moulton & Bob Westfall. Front Row, Left to right: Kiwanis Club members Jan Dick, Kali Rasala, Mike Moorehead & Bob Gallowitch.

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club has a long history of building ramps at the homes of Porter County residents whose mobility has become compromised. For many, these ramps are the difference between being homebound and having the ability to get out into the community for appointments, shopping or lunch with friends.

“This ramp is life-changing. I can now get in and out of the house safely, without the pain and fear that the steps create” said Emil Cripe. “We are so grateful.”

“Of the 47 ramps currently in place, 17 are at the homes of veterans,” said Kiwanis Club member Bob Westfall. “These ramps are high quality, very sturdy and reusable; when the individual no longer needs it, we disassemble it and store the components to be used again,” he added.

Funding for this ramp came from the George and Judith Urban Fund for Porter County Veterans at the Porter County Community Foundation. It was established in 2018 with a gift from the estate of Judith Urban.

“It was Mrs. Urban’s desire that her generosity be used to create an endowment fund that would exist forever to support programs and projects that benefit Porter County veterans,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “It is a tremendous honor for the Foundation to steward the Urbans’ legacy for the benefit of those in our community who have served in the military,” he added.

First Things First Porter County Executive Director Graduates from Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute

Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer, Executive Director of the newly established First Things First Porter County, graduated as an inaugural member of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute in October of this year.

In 2021, the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance launched the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute which provides leadership training experience to skill-up professionals serving in board and executive roles at foundations, corporations and social impact organizations across Indiana.

“The Mutz Institute will serve as a pipeline for the transformational philanthropic leaders Indiana needs now and in coming times,” said Jamie Merisotis, CEO of Lumina Foundation, one of the program supporters.

Through a competitive application process, Mary Jane was selected as one of only 24 members to participate in the institute program the first year. The Mutz Institute is named for former Indiana Lieutenant Governor, past Lilly Endowment Inc. president, IPA founder, corporate CEO and Indiana visionary, John M. Mutz.

“Participating in the inaugural class of the Mutz Institute was professionally and personally rewarding and changed the course of my career,” said Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer. “Working with passionate leaders and learning from great thinkers helped me to understand the critical role of philanthropy in our communities. The lessons from Mutz have been instrumental in shaping First Things First Porter County.”

Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer has served young children & families for over 25 years as a kindergarten teacher, researcher, policy consultant and teacher educator. Eisenhauer was Interim Associate Director for the School of Education and Counseling at Purdue University Northwest and continues to work with national, state and local leaders to promote high-quality early childhood development.

In June, she began as Founding Executive Director of First Things First Porter County - a collective impact initiative committed to an expanded deployment and coordination of the unique resources in the areas of healthy beginnings, family support and building capacity for early care.

“We are fortunate to have Mary Jane heading up this exceedingly important endeavor,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “With her expertise and drive, First Things First will become an integral part of how our community prioritizes caring for our infants and toddlers.”

Inspired by compelling evidence that supports the broad value of significant investment in early childhood development and learning, the Porter County Community Foundation has leveraged funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to catalyze community partners and to create a healthy ecosystem of care, support and services to ensure that every baby born in Porter County is prepared for a strong start to life, resulting in the establishment of First Things First Porter County.

4th Street Theater receives grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a $4,000 grant to 4th Street Theater to purchase surge protection for their building.

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The Porter County Community Foundation awards a Community Fund Grant to 4th Street Theater. (Pictured left to right: David Pifko, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Denise Barkow, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Kent Mishler, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; and Linda Pauli, 4th Street Theater Board Member.)

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Twenty years ago, 4th Street Theater opened with only eight theater lights as well as a makeshift light board. “Over the years, the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded grants that have brought us into the 21st century,” said Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member. “This most recent grant gives us the surge/electrical equipment to protect our very expensive lighting and sound equipment as well as all other electrical devices in the theater."

“The arts are an integral part of our community,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We appreciate the commitment of all those involved in 4th Street Theater to bring high-quality community theatre to Duneland.”

4th Street Theater was originally founded in 1990 as the North Coast Cultural Association. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization produces award-winning theater productions in Northwest Indiana for our community to enjoy.

HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE TAKING A STROLL AROUND THE BLOCK

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Hilltop Neighborhood House. The funds helped purchase three Gaggle Buggie Strollers for the childcare facility.

Kids from the KR3 Classroom at Hilltop Neighborhood House try out one of the new Gaggle Buggie strollers which were purchased thanks to a grant from the Porter County Community Foundation..

“The Gaggle Buggies have been on our wish list for a while,” said Amy Osburn, Vice President & Director at Hilltop Neighborhood House. “The grant allowed us to purchase the strollers which provides a safe, unique way for our kids and teachers to get some fresh air and see the world from a new perspective.”

These special strollers allow the children and staff to safely take walks together and, with tiered seating, everyone has a good view. The buggies are easy to push, have a safe braking system, and allow for up to 6 children to ride together on one stroller. They are equipped with safety harnesses and have sunroofs for UV protection. The seats can be converted to accommodate carriers so the younger infants can go for a ride too.

“Community Fund grants are all about our neighbors helping the community they live in,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “When you donate to the Community Fund, you make grants – and smiles - like this possible.”

The Porter County Community Foundation was founded in 1996 and since then has awarded over $34 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in our community. If you would like to make a difference in Porter County through the Community Fund, click here.  

PCCF Welcomes New Board of Director Members

The Porter County Community Foundation has announced the addition of six new members to its Board of Directors. “Each of these individuals has been a long-time resident of Porter County,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “They all believe in the power of generosity as a means of improving our community. They are committed to the role the Foundation plays in building permanent endowment funds, creating family legacies and collaborating on important issues.”

The Porter County Community Foundation welcomes six new members to their Board of Directors (Top Row, Left to Right: Saradha De Jesus, Julie Elisha, Dr. Arjun Gupta. Bottom Row, Left to Right: Jeff Lewis, Amy Parker, Jenn Shikany).

Saradha De Jesus is a Senior System Analyst & Project Manager with Panduit; Julie Elisha is a Broker with McColly Real Estate in Portage; Dr. Arjun Gupta has been a physician in Porter County for nearly 40 years where he recently completed his directorship of the Wound Care Center and is currently serving as a Medical Consultant with the Horton VNA Hospice Center; Jeff Lewis is the Vice President & Office Director of Shive-Hattery; Amy Parker is Executive Director of the Portage Economic Development Corporation; and Jenn Shikany is the State Finance and Business Support Services Director with NIPSCO.

“These six new directors bring unique perspectives and a range of skills to the Community Foundation Board,” said Stephanie Jones, Board Chair. “We are grateful that they have chosen to serve our community in this capacity and we look forward to their leadership.”

Over $300,000 Awarded to Nonprofits In Porter County In 2019

This year, the Porter County Community Foundation awarded over $339,000 in grants from its Community Fund to nonprofit organizations serving Porter County.

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True North Training Stables in Chesterton received a grant for new outdoor stalls for their horses.

Grants from the Community Fund support a wide range of programs and projects in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, education, youth, environment and parks, and animal welfare.

“Starting at the launch of the Foundation in 1996, the Community Fund continues to grow thanks to the generosity of countless donors who love where they live and want to make a gift that will last and benefit our community forever,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “The Community Fund is a valuable resource that provides the flexibility to address needs and opportunities as they change over time.”

Pines Village Retirement Communities received a grant to provide meals to seniors in Valparaiso.

Organizations that received a Community Fund grant in 2019 are:

• Art Barn School of Art for a new roof;

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County to repair the South Haven Club parking lot;

• Call-A-Ride for fuel to transport clients;

• Dressed for School for the renovation of their “store”;

• Duneland Family YMCA for professional development and accreditation for their new early education program;

• Dunes Learning Center for new computers for their education team;

• Exceptional Equestrians for well equipment replacement;

• Family House for renovations for client safety and security;

• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for their Mobile Marketplace;

• Gabriel’s Horn for a new van;

• Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana for their team to attend the national summit;

• Hilltop Neighborhood House for Gaggle Buggy strollers;

• Housing Opportunities for wi-fi at the shelter;

• Independent Cat Society for the trap, neuter and return program;

• Intrepid Phoenix for a recovery exercise program in Porter County;

• Jacob’s Ladder for computers and tablets;

• NeighborLink Porter County for HVAC equipment;

• Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities for a technology upgrade;

• Opportunity Enterprises for a new generator at their apartments;

• Our Greater Good for the Growing Great Kids Development guide to be printed in Spanish;

• Pines Village Retirement Communities for their senior congregate nutrition program;

• Pink Ribbon Society for wigs for breast cancer patients;

• Portage Township Live Entertainment Association for student music workshops;

• Portage Township YMCA for middle school program activities and meals;

• Porter County PACT for Recovery Connection program activities;

• Porter-Starke Services for the expansion of their recovery center;

• Rebuilding Together-Duneland for the 2019 Rebuilding Day;

• Salvation Army for their food pantry;

• St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center for the remodeling of their bathroom;

• True North Training Stables for new outdoor sheds;

• Valparaiso Family YMCA for blood pressure cuffs; and

• VNA of Northwest Indiana for their strategic planning process.

Since 1996, the Porter County Community Fund has awarded grants to more than 175 different nonprofit organizations. If you would like to contribute to the Community Fund or start your own named fund for the community, please contact the Foundation at 219.465.0294.  

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The Pink Ribbon Society received a grant to help provide wigs to breast cancer patients in Porter County.

Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities in Portage received a grant for upgrades to their Career Pathways Program technology.

The Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant To Rebuilding Together Duneland

Rebuilding Together Duneland was awarded a 2019 Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation for their 2019 Rebuilding Day.

The funds were used to support the important work that the Rebuilding Together team of volunteers completes every year including various home & community improvement projects for financially-burdened individuals and families.    

This year in particular, Rebuilding Together Duneland saw an increase in applications from people in need of services. Multiple families received help including the Lenburg’s, a family of four with a son with special needs.  The volunteers were able to add a stair railing, fix the garage steps, clean up the landscaping and rebuild the back deck at the Lenburg home.

“We were so honored to have the Lenburg’s home as one of our site projects this year,” said Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteer Jim Thorstad. “Even with the rain and snow, our crew worked extremely hard to help finish the tasks at hand. It’s more than just a railing or fixing steps, its peace of mind for these parents knowing that their house is as safe as it can be for their son. It’s more than just landscaping and a deck, it’s about spending more time together as a family and less time worrying about the yard work that needs to be done. That is what really matters.”

The Lenburg family along with Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteers on their new deck. (left to right) Jim Thorstad (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer), Desila Rosetti (Porter County Community Foundation Board Member), Patty, Jim, Dylan & Hannah Lenburg, and Cliff Zosso (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer).

New Girls’ Giving Fund Awards Grant to Local Nonprofit

On Thursday, October 18, over 20 girls and their families gathered at the Porter County Community Foundation for the inaugural Girls’ Giving Fund Grant Celebration to award their first-ever grant to a local nonprofit.

Members of the Girls’ Giving Fund awarded their first-ever grant to the Porter County Parks Department at their inaugural grant celebration event.

The Girls’ Giving Fund is a newly established giving circle with the Porter County Community Foundation, made up of 7 to 13 year old girls from all over Porter County. The circle was launched in the spring of 2018 to empower young givers with the knowledge that they can make a difference in our community and allow this new generation to experience the joy of giving.

Twenty-six girls each raised at least $100, collectively bringing in $3,000. Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, $1,000 was added to their total, allowing the girls to award a $4,000 grant that evening.

The first-ever Girls’ Giving Fund grant was awarded to the Porter County Parks Department. The other finalists, Memorial Opera House and Our Greater Good, each received a $500 grant.

In addition, two local donors each gave $1,000 to start the Girls’ Giving Fund Endowment, ensuring the girls can continue to make a difference in Porter County forever.

“It’s really encouraging to see kids get excited about giving and the impact it has on our community,” said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “Each one of these 26 girls did something creative to raise $100. Collectively, they were able to make a significant gift to the Porter County Parks which benefits countless people from all over our community”.

If you know of a young woman who is interested in participating in the Girls’ Giving Fund, please click here for more information.

Porter County Farmers Gift of Grain Chili Day - October 19, 2018

Porter County Farmers are invited to attend the Gift of Grain Chili Day at the Co-Alliance Elevator in Malden on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Gift of Grain Committee Members (left to right) Tim Stoner, Brad Metzger, Jane Maxwell, and Joe Cannon.

A free homemade chili lunch and sweets will be served. Information about how farmers can support our community through the Gift of Grain program will also be available.

The Gift of Grain program was started in 2017 as a way for local farmers to use grain to help families in Porter County start saving for their kids’ college education. The program supports Promise Porter County, an initiative that helps families with first grade students invest in a CollegeChoice 529 savings account.

Gift of Grain is also investing in a permanently endowed fund. The Agricultural Community Initiative Fund, at the Porter County Community Foundation, will help ensure there will be resources available to meet future needs in our community.

Gift of Grain committee member and Porter County farmer, Tim Stoner, says “This program is unique in that it has a double benefit; it allows us to support Promise Porter County today and build an endowment to contribute to future projects as they develop.”

While chili will be available on October 19, gifts of grain can be made anytime. This is an ongoing project that encourages farmers to participate at the time of year that is best for them.

“The partnership between local farmers and the Porter County Community Foundation is really special,” said Foundation President & CEO, Bill Higbie. “It’s a great example of how investing today grows tomorrow.”

A gift of grain can be an easy, tax-efficient way to support local causes in our community. For more information about the Gift of Grain program, visit www.pccf.gives/giftofgrain.

In the event of rain, the Gift of Grain Chili Day will be on Friday, October 26.

18th Annual Women's Tea

The 18th Annual Women’s Tea took place on Friday, September 14. Over 200 women of all ages gathered together for lunch to support the Women’s Fund of Porter County. This year’s guest speaker was Sarah Harmeyer, Founder and Chief People Gatherer of Neighbor’s Table.

Sarah Harmeyer, Chief People Gatherer at Neighbor’s Table, was the guest speaker at the 18th Annual Women’s Tea to support the Women’s Fund of Porter County.

In 2010, Sarah asked her father to build her a big farm-house style table that she put in her backyard in Dallas, Texas. She hung chandeliers from the oak tree above and invited her neighbors to dinner. That first night, 91 people showed up.  The simple idea of inviting a neighbor to share a meal turned into something extraordinary. Sarah has now had over 3,000 people sit at the very table her father built for her years ago, joining together in laughter, conversation, connections and love. 

While Sarah continues to invite people to her table, her dad now builds tables for people all over the country. They have personally delivered tables to 29 states, with a goal of having a “Neighbor’s Table” in every state by 2020.

Sarah spoke about the importance of being intentional. She challenged the ladies in attendance to invite people to gather together. With a simple act of inviting strangers to gather around the table, you never know what might happen. “Community is important” said Sarah Harmeyer, “A community changes when we are intentional about what we do.” With her father serving as “Chairman of the Boards”, the official table-maker, and Sarah serving as Chief People Gatherer, they have created a movement of connecting people and communities.

The Women's Fund of Porter County offers an opportunity for women to collectively share in the joy of giving. Women from all backgrounds come together with one common goal in mind - improve the lives of women and children in our community. With the goal of raising $100,000 annually, $50,000 is awarded in two high-impact grants while the remainder is permanently endowed in the Women’s Fund at the Porter County Community Foundation.

Since 2007, The Women's Fund has awarded over $550,000 in grants and holds over $917,000 in the endowment fund, ensuring that the positive impact will continue on forever.

Foundation Awards 2018 Scholarships

As one chapter comes to a close, a new one is just beginning for the 27 talented high school seniors recognized at the Porter County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet. Since 1998, the Foundation has presented 356 scholarships to Porter County students.

The 2018 recipients are:

The Porter County Community Foundation has awarded 82 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to Porter County students since 1998. This scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana and $900 each year for books. The 2018 recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships are: (left to right) Alaynah Chatman (Portage High School), Robert Walker (Washington Township High School), and Abigail Koster (Chesterton High School).

Porter County is fortunate to have businesses and individuals who value the importance of education. Thanks to the generosity of NIPSCO, the Plesac Family Scholarship Fund, the Larry and Jerilyn Klemz Scholarship Fund, the Largura Family Scholarship Fund and the Tom and Alice Roberts Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to each of the following recipients: (left to right) Jayson Heinold (Kouts High School), Austyn Pryatel (Morgan Township High School), Natalie Dowdy (Andrean High School), Sam Klumpe (Valparaiso High School), Emily Horsley (LaCrosse High School), and Mickayla Edmaiston (Portage High School). Not pictured: Kayla Rivera (Wheeler High School) and Thomas Gotsch (Marquette High School).

The Chesterton High School Class of 1958 established the Harlan A. Siegsmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholarship in honor of their longtime principal. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate of Chesterton High School with a preference given to residents of Liberty Township. This year’s recipient is Rigoberto Alvarez, Jr. (Chesterton High School) pictured here with Ed Seykowski, a member of the class, who was instrumental in creating this scholarship.

Each year, the Porter County Community Foundation provides $4,000 scholarships to Porter County students. The 2018 recipients are: (left to right) Madison Nondorf (Valparaiso High School) and Lexi Sroka (Hebron High School). Not pictured: Alex Reed (Boone Grove High School).

The Foundation and the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center have worked together since 2008 to award scholarships to their students. The recipients for 2018 are: (left to right) Joshua Chew, Cailee Hodges, Jacob Wells, Cameron Chapman and Abigail Vargas, with Jon Groth (Director of the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center). Not Pictured: Bridget McGrath and Tyler Smolar.

Georgia Bricker, whose husband, Tom, passed away in 2006, established a scholarship in memory of him. This year’s recipient is Kelsey Fleming (Washington Township High School).

Shawn Moyer was a 1999 recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. During his sophomore year at Taylor University, Shawn lost his battle with cancer. The remaining balance of his scholarship was endowed to create this award for Kouts High School graduates. This year’s recipient, Hannah Maier (Kouts High School), is pictured here with Nick and Bev Moyer, Shawn’s parents.

Porter County Chosen to Launch Promise Program

College may seem far away to first graders and their families, but this fall, Porter County will bring post-secondary education and careers front of mind through a collaborative effort called “The Promise.” The program makes educational savings a reality by helping families start a CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings account through their school, seeding the account with an initial investment from a local sponsor, and engaging the community to match deposits that the students, families, and champions all contribute to the account. Porter County is honored to be one of four new communities to launch the Promise program, with the support of Promise Indiana and the Indiana Education Savings Authority.  Bob Wanek, CEO of the Valparaiso Family YMCA, and Bill Higbie, CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation, have led the local effort to bring “The Promise” to Porter County.

During school registration, The Promise helps families take that first step to start saving, while also integrating college and career discovery activities in the classroom. Pilot counties select a cohort of students to participate, based on community size. The Promise Porter County Steering Committee consisting of local partners including school districts, the community foundation, local businesses and government, economic development groups, and nonprofits, has selected all first graders in the seven county school corporations for the launch.  The generous support of Urschel Laboratories will make it possible for every first grade student to begin the school year with their own college savings account.  There will also be an opportunity for those enrolled to invite champions—friends, family members, neighbors, coaches, and teachers—to invest in their college savings accounts.  A coalition of local partners, including 1st Source Bank, Stewart and Kathryn McMillan, Thorgren Tool and Molding, Porter Health Care System, and the Porter County Community Foundation, will provide a matching deposit to the student’s college savings account during a prescribed period of time.

Youth in the program not only build assets for post-secondary education and learn about college and careers, but they also visit a college campus for a day of interactive learning and dynamic hands-on experiences called “Walk Into My Future.” Valparaiso University will host the event this fall, with college students and faculty leading campus tours and activity stations for elementary-aged youth.

Research from the Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion at the University of Kansas shows that youth with a college savings account in their name are between three and four and half times more likely to go to college than those without an account. CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings accounts can be used at any eligible institution—2-year community colleges, 4-year colleges and universities, even trade and technical schools.

"It was evident that the team from Porter County had the drive and partnerships to make this a success for the students and families in their community,” said Phil Maurizi, VP of Operations for Promise Indiana. “We look forward to working with all the collaborators to achieve absolute success in their first year, but also to making the Promise program better and stronger with their innovation. Their work will impact not only local youth, but communities around the state of Indiana.”

To date, over 10,000 youth around the state have started a CollegeChoice 529 direct savings account through the Promise program. To learn more visit www.PromiseIndiana.org.  To get involved with Promise Porter County, contact Julie Giorgi at jgiorgi@valpoymca.org or 219-462-4185 ext. 267.