LaGrange Lodge no. 144 creates permanent unrestricted endowment

As the Knights of Pythias LaGrange Lodge no. 144 closed the chapter on a 128-year-old history in 2018, the creation of a permanent endowment fund at the LaGrange County Community Foundation will allow their charitable legacy to live forever.

In December, the Knights donated $55,000 to create a permanent unrestricted endowment at the Community Foundation. While the fund will provide long-term support for community grantmaking, their gift also will be matched 2-for-1 through a matching grant from Lilly Endowment.

The Knight’s search for a meaningful gift came at an opportune time: it was a rare chance for the Knights to triple their gift and create a permanent charitable legacy. The Endowment is providing $2 for every $1 contributed to LaGrange County Community Foundation unrestricted endowments during the matching period, October 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020, up to $500,000. 

With the Lilly 2-for-1 match, the Knights’ gift now becomes $165,000. The income from the fund will support charitable projects in LaGrange County as determined by the LCCF Board of Directors.

“The members of our Lodge no. 144 feel very fortunate to have our donation grow and benefit several organizations thanks to the LaGrange County Community Foundation,” said Gordon Olds, a Knights of Pythias member.   

 “We are humbled by the generosity of the Knights of Pythias. Their gift establishes a permanent legacy and will provide long-term funding to nonprofits working to improve LaGrange County,” said Octavia Yoder, LaGrange County Community Foundation Associate Director. “We are thankful for their partnership and support in the Lilly Endowment matching grant.”

The Knights of Pythias

Chartered on October 16, 1890, the Knights of Pythias are one of the oldest fraternal organizations in LaGrange County.

In 1912, the group began meeting in the upstairs of what is today Foltz Bakery. In those early days, the meeting space contained ornate furniture, velvet robes, oil paintings and valuable memorabilia with gemstones. Those items were used during the Knights’ induction ceremonies. The Knights sold the building in 2008.  

Among their philanthropic interests, the Knights of Pythias count many as beneficiaries. They sponsored Little League Baseball teams, the LaGrange County Police Department, Special Olympics, ARC Opportunities, LaGrange County Council on Aging, LaGrange County 4-H, Clothes and Food Basket, Habitat for Humanity, Reason 4 Hope, LaGrange County Historical Society, United Fund of LaGrange County, ARK Animal Rescue, Youth for Christ, Relay for Life, Night to Shine and Agape Mission.

Their most popular fundraiser was selling Plyley’s caramel apples at Corn School.

While Knights of Pythias focused on supporting local needs, much of the draw for its members was the social aspect of the club. Being a part of the lodge was a tradition the members did not take lightly; many members today had grandfathers who were also a part of the lodge.

The Knights can count among their group eight 50-year members: Duane Billman, Allen Connelly, Gordon Frost, Richard Long, Jack Olds, Roger Olds, and the late Harvey Lambright and Duane Sams.

One member said as a young boy his father worked in the fields from dawn until dusk, but made the Knights meeting a priority. Even when the weather was impassible with blowing snow and ice, members trudged through knee-deep drifts of snow.

Before his passing, the late Duane Sams shared with the Community Foundation his proudest moment as a 50-year member: pinning a 50-year pin on his grandfather. Not many members had Sam’s privilege.

With the Knights’ gift to the Community Foundation, their charitable legacy will live forever.

LAGRANGE ­— Grace Miller, a senior at Westview Jr.-Sr. High School, has been named the recipient of the LaGrange County Community Foundation’s 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.

Miller will receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the accredited public or private college or university in Indiana of her choice, along with an annual $900 stipend for books and required equipment.

Miller is the daughter of Daryl and Stephanie Miller of Topeka. A three-sport student athlete in soccer, basketball and softball, Miller maintains a 4.05 grade-point average and is on track to be valedictorian.

She plans to pursue a pre-med chemistry degree with the goal of becoming a surgical physician assistant. Miller plans to attend Butler University. 

Miller serves as the yearbook editor and vice-president of National Honor Society. She has participated in musicals, Champions Together and the Junior Plus mentoring program.

This year, 26 applicants participated in LaGrange County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship selection process. The foundation’s Lilly Scholarship Advisory Committee narrowed the field to five finalists based upon criteria that included scholastic profile, leadership, school activities, community service, work history, essays and interview performance.

The committee’s recommendations were forwarded to Independent Colleges of Indiana, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, for final review and selection of the recipient.

Other finalists included: Bailey Schlabach and Allison Leszcsynski of Lakeland High School; Caterina Staton of Prairie Heights High School and Madilyn Kazmucha of Westview Jr.-Sr. High School. Each of the finalists will receive a $1,000 four-year renewable scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Scholarship Fund established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013.

Since 1998, a total of 38 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, including Miller’s have been awarded in LaGrange County. The total amount awarded to local LaGrange County students through this opportunity exceeds $3 million.

The scholarships are a result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative whose primary purposes are to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, and nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 30 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. This year, 143 scholarships were awarded statewide; the number awarded is based on the number of full-time residents. LaGrange County was offered one award in 2019. There have been more than 4,600 scholarships awarded statewide since the beginning of the program.  

The LaGrange County Community Foundation named Larry Strayer, middle, the recipient of the 2018 Heart of Gold Award Saturday at the Shipshewana Event Center. From left, are the 2018 nominees: Jamelle Godlewski, Gerald Yoder, Cheri Perkins, Jay Smith, Rustin Krapfl, Margaret Malone, Trudy Manderfeld and Shanan Staton.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation named Larry Strayer of LaGrange the recipient of the 2018 Heart of Gold award Saturday, Nov. 3.

Since 2010, the Community Foundation has honored an individual in the county who goes above and beyond the call and embraces a commitment to service.

Community Foundation Board of Directors Jordi Disler and Tony Bontrager made the surprise announcement at the breakfast celebration honoring all 2018 nominees at the Shipshewana Event Center.

Strayer, 84, continues to serve the LaGrange County community and has devoted much of his life to helping others behind the scenes.

A farmer for more than 30 years, Strayer served two years in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He volunteers much of his time at his church, Plato United Methodist Church, and provides transportation for people who are homebound. A former Bloomfield Township Trustee, Strayer also served on the original building committee for Parkside Elementary School in LaGrange.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation named Larry Strayer, middle, the recipient of the 2018 Heart of Gold Award Saturday at the Shipshewana Event Center. From left, are the 2018 nominees: Jamelle Godlewski, Gerald Yoder, Cheri Perkins, Jay Smith, Rustin Krapfl, Margaret Malone, Trudy Manderfeld and Shanan Staton.

Strayer has helped build churches, parsonages and houses in LaGrange County and in other states. For many of those building projects, Strayer used his vacation time to complete the work.

In addition, Strayer has helped build handicap ramps, repair roofs and plumbing for people in need, and continues to grow produce for the Clothes and Food Basket of LaGrange County. Rochelle Olds of LaGrange nominated Strayer and said, “He’s always looking for ways to help others.”

The Community Foundation received nine nominations for the ninth annual award. Among the 2018 nominees are individuals who helped launch Relay for Life in LaGrange County, created an animal shelter, served as youth mentors, provided transportation to Shriner’s Hospital, counseled seniors on Medicare and insurance benefits, helped provide shelter for homeless families and brought new services to the senior community.

“Each one of you are making a difference in LaGrange County and for that we thank you,” Disler said. “We live in a special, caring and hardworking community and because of people like you, LaGrange County is a great place to call home,” she added.

The 2018 Heart of Gold nominees include: Cheri Perkins, LaGrange; Gerald Yoder, LaGrange; Jamelle Godlewski, LaGrange; Jay Smith, LaGrange; Margaret Malone, Howe; Rustin Krapfl, Orland; Shanan Staton, Mongo; and Trudy Manderfeld, Shipshewana.

Meet the nominees

Cheri Perkins: As the Executive Director of the Council on Aging, she is always going above and beyond for the senior community. She has brought new services to the community including the LaGrange County Area Transit program; she plans the senior activities at the Council on Aging and helped the organization move to a new building. She is the captain of the ship that keeps the Council on Aging afloat.

Gerald Yoder: Gerald Yoder joined Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana in 2004. Currently, he leads the Middle School Campus Life program at Westview Jr.- Sr. High School. He has a heart and passion for the next generation and has helped many teens navigate their youth as seek to find their purpose.

Jamelle Godlewski: A former teacher, Jamelle has dedicated her life to trying to reach out to youth in the community. Through her organization, Reason 4 Hope, she provides programs in local schools that address bullying, depression and suicide prevention.

Jay Smith: A retired educator, Jay Smith transports patients to Shriner’s Hospital, volunteers at the Clothes and Food Basket of LaGrange County, serves with Habitat for Humanity and assists with the Lighthouse Ministry. He will continue his role as scorekeeper for the Lakeland basketball program, a position where he’s served for more than 55 years.

Margaret Malone: Margaret pioneered Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption Center and assisted with the creation of the Howe Community Association. She is currently working on her most recent project – The Farm – which will provide support to area foster children through therapeutic animals.

Rustin Krapfl: Active in Feed My Starving Children, Rustin also serves at the Chaplain of the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department, President of the LaGrange Area Ministerial Association, President of LaGrange Communities Youth Centers and President of Agape Missions of LaGrange County.

Shanan Staton: A resident of Mongo, Shanan goes above and beyond for her small community. She serves with the Mongo Community Development Association and is an active supporter of events at Prairie Heights Community Schools. She helped launch Relay for Life in LaGrange County more than 11 years, and has been a part of raising more than $1 million to help support cancer research. Additionally, Shanan volunteers at Mongo United Methodist Church, helping organization activities for children and youth.

Trudy Manderfeld: As a SHIP Counselor, Trudy helps seniors navigate Medicare and understand their insurance benefits. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Color Guard and a board member of the LaGrange County Health Department and LaGrange County Council on Aging.