DONOR STORIES

James Binkley enjoyed a successful career as a long-time professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. After spending most of his years living in West Lafayette, he returned to his hometown of Jasper in 2022.

The Tretter family’s history with the Community Foundation runs deep. Theresa is a former grants committee volunteer, and daughter, Lauren, is a former intern and current finance committee volunteer of the Community Foundation.

Giving back has always been important to Dick and Joan Lampert of Jasper. As longtime parishioners and supporters of St. Joseph Catholic Church, faith is central in their charitable giving.

The Community Foundation recently received a generous donation from the estate of Clement M. “Clem” Lange, the founder of Best Chairs, Inc., d/b/a Best Home Furnishings.

The Community Foundation recently received a gift from the estate of Eileen “LaVerne” Schitter to establish the St. Mary Church of Ireland, IN, Melvin A. Schitter and Eileen LaVerne Schitter Cemetery Endowment.

A former school administrator and his wife recently established an endowment to support Jasper High School academics. The Fred and Pat Hollinden Endowment is designated for the educational enrichment of students in accounting, mathematics, or a related field.

A man had a vision that all children in Dubois County would have a place to play. Through an estate gift left to his community, his dream came to fruition. In 2014, the C.J. Gehlhausen Endowment was established with the Dubois County Community Foundation to help build and improve playgrounds in unincorporated towns in Dubois County.

A new endowment was established in memory of a former local teacher, Carol A. Gaesser. The endowment will support Pine Ridge Elementary School in Birdseye with an annual grant to promote education.

Patti Goepfrich knew when her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration ended, it could be the beginning of something extraordinary. After a big celebration with family and friends, Patti wanted her parents to do something special with the generous gifts of money that they received in honor of their anniversary.

In 2009, the Orlan “Mockey” Lett Scholarship Endowment was established by Lett’s children to commemorate his love for education, and to provide the opportunity for a non-traditional student to receive financial assistance for higher education.

Education is the gateway to opportunity, especially for young children in the beginning stages of life. Some children, however, are denied the opportunity of early education due to lack of financial ability.

For Kathy Fuhs and her family, farming is not simply an occupation, but a way of life. After the passing of her parents, Kathy decided to celebrate their memory through the creation of an endowment with the Community Foundation.

For female athletes, coaches, and parents of Jasper High School, Coach Pat Zehr paved the way for women’s sports. As Jasper’s first women’s volleyball and track and field coach, Pat led team after team to success.

“It was always a dream for us,” Stacy Lindauer and Tara Popp said about establishing an endowment for YoungLife. This became possible at the passing of their mother, LaVerne Kieffner, through her estate.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, Sarah Chappell Leinenbach and Jen Verkamp wanted to continue the Girl Scouts mission in Dubois County – to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character, and make the world a better place.