A Season of Celebrations

May has been a month filled with joyful gatherings and heartfelt recognition at the Community Foundation of White County. From honoring our community’s accomplishments to celebrating the future leaders among us, we’ve truly experienced a season of celebrations.

We kicked off the month with our Annual Report to the Community Reception, an honored tradition where we gather with donors and community partners to share our progress from the previous year. Held at Andrea Roller’s Photography Studio, 45 guests joined us to hear about the impact made in 2024. With delicious appetizers provided by Le Petit Café, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and gratitude.

The 2024 Annual Report highlighted increased efforts around our current focus on mental wellness, including youth mentorship through our Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), youth development initiatives leveraging Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, and ongoing efforts of the Early Childcare Coalition of White County. We also celebrated an impressive milestone: over $593,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded last year to uplift the community we all love so dearly. These stories and many others can be found in the full report, now available on our website.

Later in the month, over 80 guests gathered at the Historic Reynolds School Gym for the Youth Philanthropy Council Dinner & Awards Ceremony. Celebrating our third YPC cohort, the evening was filled with pride as we recognized the passion and dedication of these young leaders. With a meal catered by Oliver’s Country Catering, the room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

We took time to honor our seven graduating seniors for their commitment to philanthropy and leadership. Additionally, we presented special awards to recognize outstanding contributions. The Student Choice Award—chosen by peers for embodying the YPC mission—went to Lorelai Miller & Drew Turner. The Community Champion Award, recognizing exceptional commitment to community service, was presented to Ava Getz. The Team Spirit Award, given for consistent encouragement and support, went to Lorelai Miller. The Rising Star Award, recognizing remarkable growth and enthusiasm, was given to Sami Hindi Jr.. Finally, the Heart of Philanthropy Award, honoring a student who exemplifies giving and generosity, was awarded to Drew Turner.

The YPC Dinner was more than just an awards night—it was a celebration of youth leadership and a powerful reminder of how the next generation is making an impact.

As the celebrations continue, our Foundation staff will also be attending scholarship awards nights at Twin Lakes, Frontier, North White, Tri-County, Delphi, and Frankfort High Schools. We are proud to support graduating seniors as they embark on their next chapter, awarding over $145,000 in scholarships this year to deserving students. These scholarships, established by generous donors, reflect our community’s dedication to supporting youth education and success.

May has truly been a celebration of what makes our community strong—generosity, leadership, and the unwavering commitment to helping one another thrive. We are grateful to everyone who makes this work possible and to our donors whose dedication brings joy, support, and new opportunities to life.

Thank you for being part of this season of celebrations!