In September 2004, the Scott County Community Foundation Board of Directors and staff wanted to share with the community that they believe in the work and the vision of the Community Foundation. They achieved this by creating the Scott County Community Foundation Cornerstone Fund. A cornerstone is typically the first stone laid for a structure and is considered essential – the foundation on which something is developed.
Although the Board of Directors didn’t know what the needs of the community would be in 2105, they wanted the future leaders of the Foundation to know they were laying cornerstones for the community. This unrestricted endowment fund has grown over the years through donations from past and present board members, and will grow for 100 years total before any grants are made to the community. The Board felt strongly that they were making a clear statement of belief that the Community Foundation will be an important part of our community for generations to come. #FundFriday#LookingForwardGivingBack#loveforcommunity#makingadifference
In September 2004, the Scott County Community Foundation Board of Directors and …
Court Appointed Special Advocates, better known as CASA, was started in 1977 when a judge realized that abused and neglected children rarely had anyone speak on their behalf in the courts. Volunteers were trained to gather facts and be the voice for children in the courtroom. Locally, Scott County’s CASA was established in 2007 through the efforts of Judge Roger Duvall. He swore in the first class of five CASA volunteers on December 6, 2007. CASA is led by Executive Director Kelly Shelhamer, who oversees six full and part-time staff, as well as 25 volunteers.
According to the Indiana Youth Institute’s Kids Count data, Scott County is number one in the state for the child abuse and neglect rate and has more than twice the number of children in foster care compared to the state average. While this is a staggering statistic, it confirms the need for CASA and its volunteers. In the last three years, CASA has made great strides to increase the served number of abused and/or neglected children who were waiting for a CASA to be their voice in court. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have seen an increase in the rate of children coming into the system from 2019. So far this year, CASA has served 246 children and has 72 on their wait list. They have helped 75 children find permanent placements. There have been 130 new children in the foster care system so far this year! And not only was there an increase in children in need of an advocate, but some of the volunteers are no longer able to serve due to the pandemic. The pandemic has hindered CASA’s ability to recruit new volunteers and they also had to cancel their major fundraiser, Taste of Scott County.
CASA is a vital program that advocates for our most vulnerable children during times of crisis in their lives. You can help these children get into loving, permanent homes where they can grow into healthy, productive adults!! CASA of Scott County established an endowment fund at the Community Foundation in June 2019 – you can donate to this fund or to their Rally for the Children Campaign (they are currently hosting an online Facebook auction). Help bring a voice and hope to every Scott County child in care. #FundFriday#LookingForwardGivingBack#loveforcommunity#makingadifference
Court Appointed Special Advocates, better known as CASA, was started in 1977 whe…
Twenty-three years ago, the Wolf family established one of the very first funds at the Community Foundation. “We believed strongly in the Community Foundation process and wanted to help get our foundation established,” said Becky Wolf on why she and her husband Joe decided to establish a donor-advised fund. Becky was a founding board member for the Foundation, having served from 1997 until 2006. Joe served on the Board from 2008-2012.
In 1997, the Wolf family owned and operated Scottsburg Plastics, and so with employee input, the Scottsburg Plastics Charitable Fund was able to make grants to numerous organizations over the years. When the business ended, they renamed the fund as the Wolf Family Charitable Fund and continued their giving. “Now that Joe is no longer working, it gives us a source of revenue to continue supporting the charities of our choice,” said Becky.
Joe and Becky currently help several charities that are important to them, and they have taken their philanthropy to the next generations. Their children and spouses, Joe and Tammy Wolf, and Rick and Shannon King, along with the grandchildren, are now involved in the decision-making for which charities should receive grants each year. This is a wonderful way for the family legacy to live on and to teach the entire family the importance of giving back!
“We have a certain dollar amount that the King family decides where the donation will go annually,” shared Shannon. “Rick and I with the help of our kids, Tim and wife Kylie, Zach and fiancé Felicity and Sonya get together and talk about where we would like the money to go. We have several great causes that we discuss and then we vote and the top two get the money. Several times we have included a letter from our family as to why that organization was chosen. We are blessed with all of the great organizations in Scott County.”
“We are thankful to Joe’s parents, Joe and Becky Wolf, for creating the Wolf Family Fund and giving us the opportunity to be a part of it,” said Tammy. “We always include the kids when making donation decisions. We have enjoyed teaching them about the spirit of giving and the importance of helping those in need. We’re thrilled that our kids have become members of the Scott County YGC! It’s a great way for them to learn more about philanthropy. The Wolf Family Fund will enable us to continue giving back to the community for years to come.”
Since being established, over $72,000 has been awarded to numerous organizations, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA of Scott County, Cradle Pregnancy Resource Center, Humane Society of Scott County, New Hope Services, Scott County Heritage Center and Museum, Scott County Family YMCA, Scottsburg Band Parents Association, United Way of Scott County, Wonder Valley Christian Camp, and much more. #FundFriday#LookingForwardGivingBack#loveforcommunity#makingadifference
Twenty-three years ago, the Wolf family established one of the very first funds …
