HOMETOWN COLLABORATION INITIATIVE

On behalf of Orange County, the Foundation ap-plied for OCRA’s Hometown Collaboration Initia-tive program, and were chosen as one of six final-ists. The program is designed to help communities identify problems and to assist in making plans to address those problems. After being chosen as a semi-finalist community, Orange County hosted the HCI team in a site visit in November. On De-cember 4, it was announced that Orange County was one of four communities chosen to participate in the 2016 HCI program! After attending the awards ceremony at the State House on Dec. 7, the OCCF staff is preparing for the upcoming months of HCI activities.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

PAOLI, IN 47454

Permit #115

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC. 112 W. Water Street Paoli, IN 47454

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2015 Golden Deeds Award winners: Luke Aylsworth, Amanda Bush, Jamie Collins, Penny Harner, Jennifer Hill, Rebecca Hill, Ralph Wildman and Rachel Wyatt, along with OCCF Youth Council members.

OCCF Staff members Cathy Hardin and Imojean Dedrick receive the HCI award from Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann

WINTER 2015

2015 Philanthropist of the Year

COL. WILLIAM G. WILLIS

2015 Emerging Philanthropist

MILES FLYNN

COLUMNS NEWSLETTER OF THE ORANGE COUNTY

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC.

The crowd gathered at French Lick Winery for the Foundation’s

annual Donor Appreciation Dinner on December 1, where Col.

William G. Willis was recognized as 2015 Philanthropist of the

Year, and Miles Flynn was named Emerging Philanthropist for 2015.

Col. Willis, retired from the U.S. Army, has served Orange County

in so many ways. He has participated in or led a number of patriot-

ic programs, including the annual Liberty Day event in local

schools, headed up the local Gideons organization, and served his

local Lions Club on a number of levels.

Miles Flynn, Managing Editor for Orange County Publishing, orga-

nized the Orange County Spelling Bee event, and has freely and

selflessly given of his time and talent toward a number of local pro-

jects, as well as served his county diligently by offering fair and

balanced journalism.

Youth Council officer Matthew Ross spoke to the crowd about the

Youth Council’s involvement in philanthropy, including Christmas

bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, the Golden Deeds awards vol-

unteer awards program, the education series taught by the Youth

Council to area fourth graders, and various other volunteering pro-

jects the group is involved in each year.

Executive Director Imojean Dedrick unveiled the Foundation’s up-

dated logo, stating that “We’re so proud of Orange County, we’re

letting our ORANGE show!” The Foundation’s new mission was

revealed, as well. “Building a Better Community...Together” more

openly and realistically encompasses the Foundation’s ever expand-

ing role in Orange County.

Donors, staff, and friends of the Foundation enjoy the 2015 annual Donor Appreciation

Dinner at the French Lick Winery

GIVING CIRCLE SPONSORS “GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT”

Every girl needs a night out once in a while, and the Orange County Women’s Giv-

ing Circle provided just such an opportunity in October. The ladies attending were

treated to food and drink, games and entertainment, and an informative talk on

women’s health care by Dr. Yolanda Yoder. All proceeds of the evening went to-

ward the Giving Circle’s work in advancing the cause of women’s health care

throughout Orange County. To date, the

group has raised more than $50,000 and

granted more than $13,000 for mammo-

grams and other diagnostic procedures

through Jubilee Community Health Care

and IU Health Paoli Hospital Founda-

tion. A very big “THANK YOU” is extend-

ed to everyone who has supported the

Giving Circle’s efforts!

TV AMNESTY DAY…

More than 11 tons of TVs, com-

puter monitors and other elec-

tronic equipment were hauled

away from the Orange County

Recycling Center this year, to be

disposed of in the proper, envi-

ronmentally-safe manner.

Since the Foundation first began

sponsoring the Recycling Cen-

ter’s efforts in 2011, more than

88,000 pounds of unused and

inoperable electronic equip-

ment has been disposed of dur-

ing TV Amnesty Day events, at a

cost of nearly $11,000. “The com-

munity foundation is proud to

have initiated and sponsored

this event for the benefit of Or-

ange County, and thankful to

the Smithville Charitable Foun-

dation for their generous sup-

port in funding such beautifica-

tion efforts,” stated the Founda-

tion’s Executive Director, Imo-

jean Dedrick.

TV Amnesty Day is only part of

the clean-up efforts throughout

Orange County sponsored by

the Foundation.

LARRY HOLLAN’S ANNUAL “GOOD NEIGHBOR” EVENT

“Good neighbor” Larry Hollan,

who also serves as a member of

the OCCF Board of Directors,

once again opened his home to

donors for great food and en-

tertainment on December 13.

With goodies provided by Lost

River Market and Deli and mu-

sic by members of the Orange

County Players, Mr. Hollan’s

open house was a holiday treat

for everyone who attended. This year’s event, the ninth Mr. Hollan has graciously

hosted, netted more than $3,300 for funds at the Foundation.

PAOLI JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE DAY

Students from Paoli Junior-Senior High School learned about volunteer

service first-hand in October, with young men and women helping out all

around the county. With Habitat for Humanity, the Foundation’s office

tenant, expanding its staff and re-locating to a larger office, students were

on hand to help make that transition. They worked hard, moving furni-

ture, helping set up offices, and willingly performing any and every task

required of them.

We salute Paoli School for initiating this program, and are grateful to all

those of exemplified philanthropy through their selfless performance of

diverse and vital activities county-wide.

We’re letting our ORANGE show!!

You may have noticed on Facebook or attended the 2015 annual donor appreci-ation dinner and seen that the Foundation is so proud of our county that we’re letting our ORANGE show!

Our new logo is not just fresh and updated, but proudly displays the OR-ANGE that represents the county we’re so very proud to be a part of.

And it’s not just the logo that’s new...we’ve updated our mission, as well. To indi-cate the expanded role that the community foundation now plays in Orange County, our new mission is this:

Building a better

community...together!

By working together—all of us who love Orange Coun-ty—we can build, restore,

and create all that we can dream for our community.

So, let’s all let our ORANGE show...display your pride for Orange County and all it has to offer by joining in our efforts to build a better com-munity for us all.

COUNTY MOURNS LOSS OF

LOCAL PHILANTHROPIST

Duane Schmidt was more than just a kind man and a friend to

many...he was a caring and loving individual who had faced great or-

deals and still managed to happily give of his time, talent and re-

sources on behalf of many, many people throughout Orange County.

As a co-founder of the Orange County Good Samaritans and his work

with that organization, Duane participated in helping more than 170

local families who were facing catastrophic medical costs and debilitat-

ing illness, disease and injury. Duane will be remembered as a gener-

ous and caring man, capable of great love and service to anyone in

need. A memorial of remembrance for Duane was held on November

7, but his legacy of giving and love, and the memory of his bright

smile, will continue forever.

SUMMERS AND WEEKS NAMED EVERYDAY HEROES

There’s so much to be proud of

in Orange County, and the peo-

ple here are first on the list.

When Joe Summers and Sarann

Weeks were recently recognized

as “Everyday Heroes”, it was the

latest in a number of awards

each had received in recognition

of their dedication and devotion

to the people of Orange County.

Both are former OCCF Philan-

thropists of the Year, among the

many other accolades bestowed

upon them. Congratulations on

this latest and well-deserved

recognition!

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, NC.

Duane and Sherry Schmidt, co-founders of the Orange County Good Samaritans.