![[front]: Sarah Dedloff, Lorie Reading, Sarah Origer & Rachel Lenig [back]: Jay Albert](https://i0.wp.com/wkvi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bella-Vita.jpg?ssl=1)
[back]: Jay Albert
Starke United Awards $20,000 in Grants
Several Starke County charities are benefiting from grant money from the Starke United Fund. These type of grants are made possible through a partnership with Starke United and the Starke County Community Foundation. There was $20,000 available that was split up among the various local organizations. Continue reading
Deadline in Early July for Northern Indiana Community Foundation Scholarships
Starke County individuals looking to obtain further education can apply for funding assistance through two Northern Indiana Community Foundation scholarships. Continue reading
Preschool Fair Highlights Necessity of Early Learning
An event designed to enhance early educational opportunities in Starke County will be taking place on Tuesday.
The second annual Starke County Preschool Fair will be offering youth and their parents chances to explore the various pre-K outlets in Starke County, as well as a few of the enrichment activities for children.
Continue reading
SCCF Lilly Endowment Scholarship Application Available Online
Applications for the Starke County Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship are due next week. The application is available online at www.ncif.org and must be turned in by Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2015.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program offers a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to one local high school senior who will start college in the fall of 2015. The recipient must intend to be a full-time student and pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university. Prospective applicants must currently live in Starke County and be high school seniors graduating by the end of June 2015 with a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school. Continue reading
Generous Contribution Boosts Hamlet Fire Station Fund
Construction is underway for the new Hamlet/Davis Township Volunteer Fire Station. The building will be located just east of the Starke County Fairgrounds on County Road 500 North in Hamlet. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last month. Continue reading
Starke County Community Foundation Awards Grants, Honors Hardesty
The Starke County Community Foundation has announced that nearly a quarter-million dollars ($247,630.00) was awarded in 2014 grants and scholarships. The total was revealed at last night’s “Impact Celebration” at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.
A number of the grant recipients were presented their cash awards at the catered dinner.
Scholarship winners were recognized at an earlier event.
Starke County Chamber Hands Out “Above and Beyond Awards”
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized community contributors with their inaugural “Above and Beyond Business Awards.” They will be given annually to businesses or organizations that do something special, like add a new program or go out of their way to support Starke County.
The SCILL Center was recognized for their high school auto tech and welding programs and adult welding program, all of which give Starke County residents training for lifelong employment opportunities.
The Starke County Youth Club was also honored with a plaque. Their after school, summer and basketball programs serve more than 600 Starke County youngsters annually and provide social and leadership skills as well as help with academics and test scores. Recently the SCYC added middle school programs at Knox and North Judson-San Pierre. Continue reading
Lilly Endowment Offers Starke County Community Foundation Matching Opportunity
Donors to the Starke County Community Foundation can double their support to the community funds. Lilly Endowment, Inc. has agreed to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000 for the next 18 months. Starke County Community Foundation Development Director Sarah Origer said no gift is too small.
“Our community funds are the funds that allow us to make our community grants every fall. These are the grants that go to support organizations like the Starke County Youth club and our library systems and the SCILL Center.” Continue reading
Endowment Gift Lessens Burden on Davis Township Taxpayers
When the Davis Township Building Corporation met last night it was advised by the Starke County Community Foundation that the James Hardesty Endowment Fund would be providing $25,000 a year, for eight years, for the construction of the new firehouse and community building.
The Davis Township Advisory Board and Trustee, which met concurrently, were advised by Umbaugh Associates that the Hardesty eight-year annual gift will reduce the total amount of interest the corporation will have to pay for the bonding. Continue reading
Preschool scholarships available at SCCF
Many local preschools still have openings for children to ensure your child is ready for kindergarten.
Full and partial scholarships are still available at several local preschools through the Starke County Community Foundation’s Preschool Scholarship Program. Preschools participating in the scholarship program that still have openings include Foundations Preschool and Little Lambs Preschool, both located in Knox plus adventure Island Preschool and St. Peter Lutheran Preschool in North Judson.
Kindergarten Countdown Benefits 20 Students
The Kindergarten Countdown program held at the Knox Elementary School in June was a success this year.
Twenty children received an early education before they enter Kindergarten this fall. Students who attend preschool often obtain better scores on tests, have better social skills and are more understanding of routines than those who do not attend a preschool program.
Starke United Fund Committee Awards $12,000 in Grants
Starke United Fund grants will be given to 13 Starke County charitable organizations this year.
Approximately $12,000 was available for this grant cycle. The Starke United Fund’s Grant Committee received 26 grant applications with requested amounts totaling $69,000.
Scholarships Still Available Through Starke County Community Foundation
Scholarships totaling nearly $30,000 have been given to 24 students through the Starke County Community Foundation and more scholarships are up for grabs.
Five additional scholarships are currently available to high school graduates and to non-traditional students.
The Back Home Again in Indiana Scholarship is specifically for non-traditional students and gives college scholarships as well as supporting those who wish to further their education and/or training as a way of enhancing their employment skills.
Starke County Community Foundation Gives Generously to Local Organizations
A number of charitable organizations are on the receiving end of more than $40,000 in grants from the Starke County Community Foundation. The gifts are made possible through the foundation’s endowment fund, which is supported by gifts to the SCCF. The money is invested. Each year some of the interest goes back into the fund to help it grow, while some is given locally in the form of scholarships and grants. Continue reading
Preschool Helps Children Develop Social Skills
The Starke County Early Education Advisory Council invites families with young children to a preschool fair this evening from 5 until 7 at the community center in downtown Knox. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Porter-Starke Director of Children’s Services Todd Willis says preschool is a good opportunity for children and parents to get used to being away from one another. He says one of the main causes of stress for young children is separating from their family, so getting them into an environment where they can learn to take turns and make peer relationships outside the family is extremely important.
“When I don’t learn as a young child how to resolve conflict with my peer, and I need to resort to throwing a temper tantrum or aggression, if those basic skills are not learned early, they follow the kid into adulthood. Really, the opportunity for a child in that 3 to 4 age learning that early is crucial,” Willis says. Continue reading
Educator Stresses Importance of Early Childhood Education
Starke County Preschool Project logoStarke County parents of young children are encouraged to attend tomorrow’s Starke County Preschool Fair at the community center in downtown Knox. The Starke County Early Education Advisory Council organized the event, which will take place from 5 until 7 p.m. CDT. More than 25 preschools and community organizations will have booths, and several will offer activities for children. Starke County Head Start Education Manager Dawn Wallen says sending your child to a quality preschool is an investment in their future. The kindergarten curriculum has become more rigorous since many of today’s parents and grandparents were in school. Wallen says students are expected to know and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet and the sounds of letters. They should also be able to recognize numerals 1 through 20. Continue reading
Preschool Fair Scheduled for April 29
A Preschool Fair is set for Tuesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT at the Community Center in Knox.
Sarah Origer, Director of Development at the Starke County Community Foundation encourages all residents to attend for this information session.
“We hope that all Starke County preschools will be present,” said Origer. “It will also be an opportunity for parents and grandparents and children to come out and learn about a lot of the other enriching opportunities that exist in Starke County. Libraries will be present, Community Services of Starke County will also be there along with Healthlinc. Your child’s health is also incredibly important. It’ll just be a great opportunity.”
Knox High School Student Receives Lilly Endowment Scholarship
New Sustainability Endowment Grant Offered
The Starke County Community Foundation is offering a new award for organizations called the “Sustainability Award”.
Executive Director Sarah Origer says any organization can apply for this $5,000 endowment grant.
“It’s a simple, two-page application,” said Origer. “We just want to know about your organization, about your priorities, about your long-term goals, and long-term planning. The top candidates will be invited to come in for an in-person interview.”
