Posey organizations recipients of PCCF Women’s generosity

By Lois Mittino Gray

Thirty thousand dollars in checks was presented to 24 local organizations as the Posey County Community Foundation Women’s Fund gave out their annual grant awards at the CountryMark Pavilion on Thursday, May 14. The recipients of checks, ranging from $500 to $3,000, were selected from 39 total applicants. “It was a difficult process including seven hours of committee deliberation and individual board members spending hours perusing each application before we met,” according to Amy Smith, Community Impact Director.

“This day is for celebrating generosity, partnerships, and the wonderful work done here in Posey County to make it a better place to live, work, and raise our families. Your wonderful work turns ideas into action,” emphasized Smith.

Representatives from each group were called up to explain about the work being done by each organization and how they expected to use their monetary grant in their program.

The Deaconess Hospital Foundation received $2,000 to help fund the mammogram bus which works to help detect breast cancer early, usually in women who have no health insurance, by going to where they are. “When women see it traveling around on the streets, it often does good just in reminding them to make their own mammogram appointment,” observed Stephanie Robles.

Another group receiving $2,000 was Chemo Buddies, helping people who are undergoing chemotherapy treatments. “No one should ever fight cancer alone. We will use the money to make ‘First Day’ bags for Posey County patients. These contain things to make them comfy like warm blankets, drinks, and snacks,” said Katrinka Rynder. She said they also run a shuttle for patients to get to their appointments, since missing one could affect their treatment plan.

Several students participated in the grant award ceremony. Teachers/Coaches Ashton Forzley and Courtney York with the junior high girls’ wrestling team received $500.00. They brought eighth grader Liberty Buchanon, seventh grader Iliza Ritzert, and high schooler Mariyah Buchanon with them. The young ladies told how grateful they were to be able to receive two new singlets and undergarments specifically designed for female wrestlers. The Mount Vernon high School Girls Wrestling team also received $500.00. All three grapplers received a rousing round of applause when Forzley announced they were competing in a major tournament on Saturday and were wished good luck. The MV High School Student Council also received $600.00.

MV Junior High Guidance Counselor Jillian Brothers, talked about her group, Bobcat Boutique, and called it “a dream I have had for years since I first started at Mount Vernon.” It is a special room at the junior high filled with clothes, spirit wear, accessories, toiletries, and health items that students in need can go to on a shopping spree and fill their bag by appointment. She brought with her three seventh graders who put in many hours sorting and displaying the donated items: Sadie Smith, Scarlett Erwin, and Maddie Floyd who received the $600.00 check. Amy Smith accepted a $2,000.00 check on behalf of “Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet.” This organization gives every child in Posey County, at both schools and home-schooled, a new pair of shoes at the start of the school year.

New Harmony received four of the grants. Rick Schlegelmilch accepted $1,000.00 for supplies for the New Harmony Ministry Association Food Pantry. Working Men’s Institute Director Ryan Rokicki and Nathan Maudin received $750.00 for library programming and One New Harmony received $500.00 for marketing. Jeanne Maudlin accepted $600.00 on behalf of the New Harmony Parks Board to install a high-quality hand dryer in the bathroom renovation taking place in Murphy Park. “You will be able to change that baby and wash your hands in style,” she quipped.

Executive Director Joy Millay accepted $2,000.00 for Thrive After School Programming. Southwestern Mental Health received $1200.00 and the Posey County Council on Aging received $2,400.00. Mudpuppy Palace was awarded $500.00 to launch “Marty’s Curiosity Cabinet” of nature items. The Buffalo Trace Council of Boy Scouts received $1,000.00 for their activities. Christian Church Daycare will use $1,000.00 for “Pioneering to Programming” summer school programming, according to Allison Richardt.

The Big Brothers/ Big Sisters group will use their $500.00 to purchase stoles for graduating seniors who were in the program to recognize their participation. New Life Animal Rescue received $1200.00 to fund a Pet Community Food Bank. “Every month we will purchase $100.00 of food to pass out to those in the community who need it,” explained DeeAnne Sheffer.

Autism Everyone received $1500.00 to restock sensory kits used by first responders with the children, explained Executive Director Kelly Schapker. Other recipients were At The Cross Mission for $1,000.00, River Bend Food Pantry at $2,550.00, and the Posey County Health Department received $3,000.00 and Mount Vernon Youth was awarded $1,000.00.

The next fundraiser planned for the Women’s Fund is its largest fundraiser. It is a Golf Scramble on September 28 at Western Hills Country Club, with 11 a.m. as Registration and Lunch, with a noon tee time. It is limited to only fifteen teams, so register soon by going to the Foundation’s Facebook page or calling Juli Collins at 812.270.0279 or Cindy Naab at 812.499.3690.

Smith said more than $255,000.00 has been awarded to organizations addressing needs in Posey County since the Woman’s Fund was formed in 2004. To contact the Foundation for more information, call 812.429.1191 or email info@communityfoundationalliance.org.

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