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LaGrange Community Foundation Announces Heart Of Gold Winner
By: Mike Stiles - Thursday, September 1, 2022

Allisa Brown (photo courtesy of LaGrange County Community Foundation)

(LAGRANGE) – It was a special night for the LaGrange County Community Foundation on Tuesday.

The Community Foundation hosted their Annual Meeting and Celebration at the Farmstead Pavilion in Shipshewana. The evening brought together dozens of donors, nonprofit leaders, community supporters and other esteemed guests for an evening of celebrating philanthropy in LaGrange County.

Community Foundation Executive Director Octavia Yoder says it was wonderful to spend the evening with so many people who advocate passionately for the community. She says they are so thankful to their donors and community partners who support LaGrange County.

During the event, attendees gathered around the stage to enjoy the night’s program, which included speeches from Yoder, who shared highlights from the past year, and a keynote speech from Jeff Wingstrom, President of LaGrange County Trails, who expressed thanks to the Foundation for receiving the largest grant of 2021 from the Foundation, of $40,000.

Wingstrom noted the importance of this grant in LaGrange County Trails’ effort to open Hawpatch Trail, a project currently in-progress by the non-profit. Their goal is to have an isolated trail, which will provide a safe and direct route for pedestrians to traverse among the three towns as well as potential future connections to other area trails.

In 2021, the Foundation received $3,463,990 in gifts. Additionally, six new funds were established, $106,300 in scholarship funds was awarded to high school seniors, and $143,439 was awarded to 19 projects through the Community Impact Grant Program.

During the evening, it was announced that Allisa Brown, a volunteer with Night to Shine LaGrange, was awarded this year’s Heart of Gold award. Brown was given the honor of directing a $1,000 grant toward their favorite charity. The Foundation’s Heart of Gold award shines a spotlight on volunteerism in LaGrange County.

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