Howe resident Marge Malone picked up her local newspaper and read a front-page story of what has become too common in northeast Indiana: children suffering in the aftermath of their parents’ methamphetamine addictions.

The children might not have food or a bed. They could be sharing a couch with their siblings. For some it’s just a sleeping bag, with dirty plates and animal feces around them. In the end, the children move into foster care, taking with their weight of trauma.   

“I knew at that moment what I had to do,” says Marge. “I heard a voice say, ‘You know how to fix this.’ It was clear I needed to do something,” she adds.  

A successful business owner, a nonprofit founder and a community leader, Marge leapt into her next venture. Her idea was to create a neutral place for foster children to find solace and counsel through the companionship of animals. In 2015, she called a committee together to help children in foster care.

Out of the committee, came the Farm Project, a faith-based initiative whose mission is “to provide a safe, nurturing and restorative place for children in need through animal companionship and other therapeutic methods.”

As the founder of Ark Animal Rescue, Marge knew the special connection between children and animals. The Farm Project’s mission will be to work with local agencies, such as the Department of Child Services, and local foster families, to provide a calming environment where children can meet with their parents on approved visits and can receive therapeutic care through companionship.

The nonprofit rallied its supporters and purchased land on SR 9, just north of LaGrange. In 2018, the Community Foundation awarded the Farm Project a $25,000 grant to support the construction of a foster home. A licensed foster family will live in the home, and provide a place for children who need immediate placement. The next phase is to build the barn at the site, with several meeting rooms.

At age 86, Marge says her work with the Farm Project is almost done and she will be glad to charge the next generation of leaders to continue the fight and create a better tomorrow.  

“There’s evil in this world. You can’t ignore it,” says Marge. “We want to give them back their childhood and normalcy.”

To help Marge with her passion, make a gift to the Caring Community Fund.

On Friday October 11, 2019 fifty kids from Lakeland, Westview and Prairie Heights attended the LEAP event held at Lakeland High School. LEAP which stands for Leaders Excited About Philanthropy is an event that takes place every other year. This year did not disappoint. The day was filled with guest speakers, community service, breakout sessions and hands on projects.

Matt Dice from Purdue Extention discussed leadership and how people can be influenced. He had some helpful interactive excersices that really solidified his message.

Octavia Yoder from the LaGrange County Community Foundation provided the group with insight on how foundations work as well as career options in philanthropy.

The group was also able to visit a local nursing home where they interacted with residents. They also created postive posters to take back to their schools to hang in the hallways to promote positivity as well as small gifts for custodial staff.

Jason Schackow from Lakeland High School contributed with tips on positive leadership skills.

Lydia Tremaine, Miss Indiana 2019 was also in attendance with words of wisdom on confidence.

LEAP encourages students to become leaders in their schools and communities. Ana Wahll, member of LIFE, stated the “…favorite part of the day for students was the community service.”

LIFE group would like to thank all of the students who attended the event, guest speakers, community organizations that attended and the LaGrange County Community Foundation for their continued support.

Help support LIFE by giving to LIFE Endowement Fund.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship award.

Finalists for the 2020 award are Ana Wahll, Lakeland High School; Kurtis Davis, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School; Chelsea Weaver, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School; Ryker Bond, Lakeland High School and Skyler Hawk, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School.

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The scholarship is awarded to a well-rounded LaGrange County graduating senior who exemplifies service and leadership in their community, while maintaining a commitment to academics. The recipient will receive a full tuition scholarship for eight semesters to the accredited Indiana college or university of his or her choice as well as a $900 yearly stipend for books and academic fees.

The scholarship program is offered each year by the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and other  Indiana community foundations across the state to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

After a competitive application process that evaluated academics, community and school activities, leadership, and written essays, the Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee interviewed five outstanding finalists on October 9, 2019. The results of the interview round will be combined with the application round to determine the 2020 nominee which will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana for selection of the LaGrange County recipient who will be announced in mid-December. The four remaining finalists will each receive a $1,000 renewable four-year scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Scholarship Fund, established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013.

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

To help students with the cost of tuition, donate to a local school’s scholarship fund.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation named Richard Yoder of Topeka the recipient of the 2019 Heart of Gold Award on Sep. 12.

Since 2010, the Community Foundation has honored an individual in LaGrange County who goes beyond the call and embraces a commitment to service. In honor of the award, Richard will be able to direct a $1,000 grant to his favorite LaGrange County nonprofit.

Community Foundation Executive Director Octavia Yoder made the surprise announcement at the evening celebration honoring all 2019 nominees at the Blue Gate Theatre.

A longtime farmer, Richard has volunteered with the Clothes and Food Basket of LaGrange County for the past 17 years. Since 2009, he has served as the President of the Board of Directors. Nominated by his fellow volunteers, it is common to see Richard at The Basket willing to help in any way that he can. In their nomination submission, the volunteers wrote, “Richard’s dedication and strong work ethic are shining examples of his leadership skill which guide the volunteers to graciously serve our clients. Richard has made a positive change in the hearts of many as he serves so generously.”

Richard spearheaded the capital campaign to secure funds for The Basket’s new facility on Railroad Street in LaGrange. In one year, The Basket had a new place to call home, completely debt free.

The Community Foundation received four nominations for the tenth annual award. The 2019 nominees included Robinn Mitchell, director of the LaGrange Bowen Center and LaGrange County Drug Court volunteer; Carol Helmer, Parkview LaGrange Gift Shop volunteer; and Carrie Lambright, American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program volunteer.  

When Arianna Smith applied for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, she wasn’t thinking about working for Microsoft. She just wanted the opportunity to attend a quality college and study computer science. Now, Arianna has completed her first year at Purdue University and will spend this summer interning at the Microsoft headquarters in Seattle, Wash. 

The 37^th recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, Arianna received a full-tuition scholarship to attend the Indiana college or university of her choice. The scholarship is awarded annually a well-rounded student who displays a commitment to academics, community and school involvement.

College affordability was a concern for Arianna. Without the scholarship, she would not have considered going to Purdue, despite its top ranking among universities for computer science.

A Lakeland High School graduate, Arianna taught herself how to code and led Spark – a coding club with her twin sister, Kiara, at Lima Brighton Elementary School. She also overcame obstacles that motivated her career choice. At the age of 11, Arianna was diagnosed with cancer. While her treatments affected her ability to be in class, she and her sister took courses online until they were able to return to school in high school.

Inspired by the quality care she received, Arianna wants to work in healthcare technology and make access to that same care equal for all. From her experience, she might not have been able to survive her cancer diagnosis without access to good healthcare. She knew others who were not so fortunate. “Information provided by technology makes opportunities possible,” says Arianna.

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.