Community Foundation reviews year, looks ahead
By BECKY HAND  
Community editor

     The large dining room of the Brownstone in South Whitley was filled Thursday at noon with many of the givingest people of Whitley County.
     September McConnell, director of the Whitley County Community Foundation, welcomed the guests to the annual meeting luncheon of the organization, which has been a force in Whitley County for 18 years.
     After recognizing the board members and staff (see sidebar), she introduced Whitko High School art teacher Walt Malicki as a “gem in South Whitley’s crown,” who was instrumental in developing a new endowment which Malicki hopes will live on long after he is gone.
     Malicki called it one of the greatest accomplishments in his 32-year career at Whitko, a career in which his students received 117 international awards, 35 national awards, and many state awards, together numbering near 1,000.
     But a lasting legacy will live on even when Malicki is gone, an endowment which will provide funding for art supplies, a teacher’s salary and field trips for a summer art camp.
     The way the endowment money was raised is another tribute to this teacher as former students donated works of art to auction off to raise the monies, some even driving from Indianapolis to attend the auction. These funds were matched by the Community Foundation and then by Dekko, and $30,000 now earns income to keep this program named for Malicki going.
     “My youngest son would have been more impressed if I had had a building or a bridge named after me,” joked Malicki, “so principal Kruger has named the storage shed out back for me.”
Another program in the WCCF file is the HANDS Foundation (Helping Achieve New Direction through Students).
     Ross St. Clair, son of Sam and Sara St. Clair, a senior at Whitko High School and a five-year member of the HANDS, spoke on the benefits he has received from being allowed to be a part of a student-led philanthropic effort.
     “I’ve been given the opportunity to practice many life skills,” said St. Clair, who thanked the WCCF and insisted “the passion for philanthropy will go with me in life.”
     The HANDS Foundation, supervised by John Slavich, program officer at WCCF, allows students of the Whitley County high schools to be involved in the grant-making process, allowing them to decide where some of the monies should go.
     This year they provided materials for a student-mentor group at a local high school which encouraged student/adult relationships, helped fund a Culture Day at a local elementary school to explore the culture of Mexico, and other things.
     Aileen Meier, outgoing president of the Foundation board, gave highlights of the past year. She reported 1,400 people made gifts to WCCF totaling $1,079,499.  
     Seven new funds have been set up giving the organization 126 individual endowment funds (funds in which the interest on the monies is used for grants and projects in the community) and 98 pass-through funds (funds which are used as they are needed and must receive more donations to continue).
     The money that went out from these funds totaled $1,334,739.
     “That’s incredible for a community of our size,” Meier said, with tears in her eyes.
    Meier reported that the downturn in the economy has had an impact on the Foundation’s funds, but they pride themselves on being transparent. With a fund evaluation group that meets regularly and investments being accredited, they foresee a long future for WCCF.
    David Smith, incoming president of WCCF board for the next two years, presented Meier with a plaque recognizing her valued contributions to the organization.
     He then said of the economy, “Maybe interesting isn’t the right word, but it’s been a challenging time for everyone.”
     He asked the question “How does a forever organization address the needs for today?” While Whitko High School will always have a summer art program because of the Malicki Art Endowment, this year a new fund has been set up to help with immediate needs in the community.
     WCCF is asking for donations for a new fund: the Whitley County Cares Fund, a pass-through fund.
     “We are developing strategies for this fund,” said Smith, “and contributions will be matched by WCCF.” He feels that the WCCF team, working with donors and advisors are a team with knowledge and experience.
     “Our focus is on forever,” stressed Smith, “and part of the plan is to be more intentional and focused in the use of the funds entrusted to us.
     “The challenges of 2008 aren’t over, but in them are opportunities. We hope to exit 2009 stronger.”
McConnell closed the meeting with the story of the beginning of the Whitley County Cares Fund.
     A lady came into the WCCF office with her checkbook and told her story. A year ago, as her husband lay dying of a brain tumor, she was working four jobs to try to make ends meet. She didn’t know how she would pay her mortgage payment for the month.
     On Christmas night, her phone rang and a child’s voice said it was a Christmas elf and she should look in her mailbox. There she found the money for her mortgage payment.
     Since then, she had lost her husband but found she had been left in a position financially to give back, and she wanted to donate to the Whitley County Cares fund to help those who find themselves in a similar situation.
     McConnell concluded, “May your cup be always full, and when it’s full, share the bounty!”
     For more information about donating, or setting up an endowment, call the Whitley County Community Foundation at (260)244-5224.