LCCF annual celebration June 12 in Shipshe


The LaGrange County Community Foundation will announce the recipient of the 14th annual Heart of Gold Award at its annual celebration June 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center in Shipshewana. The program begins at 6 p.m.

The Community Foundation hosts the event to cele­brate philanthropy in LaGrange County, thanking volun­teers, donors and community partners for their part in im­proving the quality of life in LaGrange County.

The event, with the theme of “Let’s Rise” will feature a panel of nonprofits sharing how their organizations are ris­ing to meet community needs. Featured nonprofits include Elijah Haven Crisis & Intervention Center, Community Health Clinic and Rainbow Years Learning Ministry.

The evening will close with the presentation of the 2023 Heart of Gold nominees, as well as the naming of the 2023 Heart of Gold Award recipient.

The Heart of Gold Award honors everyday LaGrange County residents who go above and beyond and embrace the call to volunteer service.

The Community Foun­dation received 10 nomina­tions for the award during the month of April.

The 2023 Heart of Gold nominees include:

• Alexis Grossman of Wolcottville. Alexis is the president of Tri Kappa Mu and a member of the La­Grange County 4-H Fair Board.

• Alice Bremer of La­Grange. Alice runs the Boomerang Backpacks program at Prairie Heights Schools. She volunteers with the Mongo Lions Club and serves as a Leo Club sponsor.

• Amy Whited of La­Grange. Amy has been a member of Tri Kappa Mu for the past 25 years and volunteers in several art programs. She volunteers with LaGrange County Arts, Night to Shine, and serves on the board of LaGrange Communities Youth Centers.

• Heather Evenson of Howe. Heather donates her time and is an active board member with LaGrange County Miracle Tree.

•John Schmidt of La­Grange. John donates his time and energy to help­ing people in his neigh­borhood, and serves at his church, Brighton Chapel.

• Keith James of Howe. Keith is an active board member of The Farm Place, helping raise funds and cre­ate awareness. He uses his photography to help pro­mote LaGrange County. Keith, along with another individual, launched the Hometown Heroes ban­ner project in LaGrange County, honoring military and first responders from LaGrange County. Keith is a LaGrange County Cham­ber board member. He also serves as an Elder at his church, Brighton Chapel.

• Kevin Myers of La­Grange. Kevin serves on the LaGrange County 4-H Fair Board, LaGrange County Farm Bureau, and he is an active member on the board for the LaGrange County Council on Aging.

• Mike Brudney of La­Grange. Mike donates his time to running the La­Grange Alcoholics Anon­ymous meetings, taking every Saturday night away from his family and his own interests to help peo­ple in LaGrange County.

• Randy Merrifield of LaGrange. Randy is a mentor through the Juve­nile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) program, spending quality time with troubled kids, and getting them involved in activities to keep them out of trouble. He also volunteers with Agape Missions of La­Grange.

• Samantha Davis-Ka­nia of LaGrange. Samantha donates her time to La­Grange County Habitat for Humanity, serving on the board for the last 8 years. She also serves on the La­Grange United Methodist Church Outreach Commit­tee.

In selecting the award recipient, the award com­mittee considers nominees who share their time for the sake for others, ren­der a service that changes lives, work to create posi­tive change, inspire others to volunteer and more.

All nominees are eligi­ble to make a $500 grant to the LaGrange County nonprofit of their choice in their name; the award re­cipient is eligible to make a $1,000 grant.

The Annual Celebration will be catered by George’s Taco Shack, with dessert by Shawna Rae’s. There is no cost to attend the event; however, pre-registration is required by May 29. Space is limited. To learn more or to register, visit Lccf.net/2023-Annual-Celebra­tion.

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