Community Services of Starke County is celebrating its 45th Anniversary Saturday, April 23.
The celebration will be held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center at 55 E. Lake Street in Knox. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m., the program at 7 p.m., and dancing at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are $25 per person.
Joan Haugh-Beatty will be honored during the anniversary celebration on April 23 as she spent several years as a worker and as the Executive Director of Community Services of Starke County. She began in the role of executive director in June of 1980 and retired July 31, 2015. She worked a total of 41 years with the organization.
Joan’s son, David Haugh, said she became best fit to assist the citizens of Starke County.
Haugh commented, “She never envisioned being the director or the leader of an organization or a cause. This was something that was born out of necessity when she took the job and then she just gradually grew into it and it was an extension of her personality. Her selflessness – unselfishness was what defined her approach to the job for 40 years. She was always going to be there for her employees and she was always going to put the people of Starke County that she served first.
Joan Haugh-Beatty saw the organization grow to offer programs such as Call-A-Day, Meals on Wheels, energy assistance, Salvation Army, the home-maker program, and public transportation. She also saw the beginning of the nutrition sites in Knox, North Judson and Koontz Lake. The programs offered today will be recognized in addition to the recognition of Joan.
