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Community Foundation of White County

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There’s always something happening at your community foundation – and we’re always delighted to share good news about our wonderful community!

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Writer's pictureLucy Dold

Beyond Borders: White County's Long Distance Champions

Rural communities thrive on the generosity of donors, many of whom have ventured far from their hometown yet remain deeply committed to its future. Your Community Foundation of White County exemplifies the importance of investing in your home community, as long-distance champions continue to support the place they once called home. Their contributions underscore the value of nurturing and sustaining the communities that have shaped us, ensuring that they remain vibrant and resilient for future generations.

Among these dedicated donors are individuals like Dave Crosby and Joe Hahn, whose endowments have become permanent pillars of support for the community.




Dave Crosby, son of John and Mary Crosby, now resides in Warsaw, IN with his wife Becky, but has never forgotten home. Growing up in Wolcott in the 60s and 70s, Dave recalls a time when our world moved a bit slower. Farms were smaller then, and the bulk of the people he interacted with were those nearby farmers whose charitable acts inspired Dave to give back.

Investing in the White County community is a decision that is deeply personal for the Crosbys. Together, Dave and Becky have established the Dave and Becky Crosby Family Endowment, an unrestricted fund that will support the mission of the Community Foundation.  The Crosby’s Endowment will be a permanent gift that will strengthen and transform the White County community they love so dearly. Unrestricted dollars are currently focused on mentoring the next generation of philanthropic leaders, growing our community grantmaking, increasing access and quality to childcare, and uplifting the wellness of our community.

Dave shared, “White County is a part of my DNA—I have roots here. I might have left White County, but White County didn’t leave me. And it really all comes back to the people I met along the way—so many farmers who were charitable and respectable people that I admired. We really believe that White County is the best county in the world!”


Joe Hahn, native to the Monon community, is another distant donor that believes in supporting your hometown. Joe Hahn grew up on Arch Street in Monon, Indiana and graduated from Monon High School in 1951. Spending his first 18 years immersed in the rural community then serving in the Korean War, Joe settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he built a booming cabinetry and door business.  However, spending 73 years in an entirely different state didn’t mean that Joe forgot his roots.

            The largest benefactor in North White School Corporation history, Joe established the Joe R. Hahn North White Trades Education Endowment, which will provide ever-growing support to the trades department of North White High School.

            Joe shared, “When I was growing up, the schools never offered a program just for the trades. I had to join a union in Albuquerque to get into the field. I would have liked to have had something like that to get started. And it’s important, too, because not everyone is going to college to become a doctor, and not everyone wants to. We need more plumbers, electricians, and construction people… more hands-on trades people, including nurses and cosmetologists. Even though I left, White County is still home.”

The impact of these endowments extends far beyond the financial support they provide. They embody the enduring connections and unwavering loyalty that former residents have to their hometown. Through their generosity, Dave, Joe, and many others like them are creating lasting legacies that benefit not only the present generation but also those yet to come.

The Community Foundation of White County stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy. It bridges the gap between past and present, near and far, by enabling former residents to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their community. Their contributions are a reminder that, no matter where life takes us, the bonds of home remain strong.

In celebrating these long-distance champions, we are reminded of the profound impact that individuals can have on their communities, regardless of their physical location. Their stories inspire us all to consider how we, too, can contribute to the places that have shaped our lives.

Join us in celebrating our long-distance champions and learn how you can make a difference in White County by visiting www.cfwhitecounty.org.

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