The City of Batesville was presented the Ripley County Community Foundation’s President’s Award during the foundation’s June 25 annual meeting at the Napoleon Senior Center.

William Van Hook, board of directors president, thanked city officials for “letting us stay in the building rent free.” Mayor Rick Fledderman accepted the award on behalf of the city.

Ed Scherer-Berry, who was absent, received the Executive Director’s Award. Executive director Sally Morris stressed, “Volunteers like Ed are wonderful .... He has proven what a value any one person can be for the foundation.”

Van Hook encouraged all those present to “help build our operating endowments .... (This is) the cornerstone of becoming self-sustaining.”

He stated, “All of you sitting out there tonight make our foundation strong.” The president also made reference to the annual report booklet, which shows a “nice snapshot of our accomplishments in 2007.”

Finance committee co-chair George Junker II reported, “The foundation went over $8 million in total assets (in 2007) .... There were total revenues of just over $1 million.”

Even though the gala typically takes place in November, the 2008 event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11. Vice president Deb Locke announced the theme is Denim and Diamonds.

“The committee is working hard to make it a really fun evening .... We’d love to have your donations for the silent and live auctions because this is the biggest fundraising event for the foundation every year.”

Other upcoming events include RCCF Night at the Ripley County Fair Wednesday, July 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. when $3 off coupons for ride arm bands will be available while they last.

Sponsors and players are needed for the July 21 golf outing at Hillcrest Country Club. For more information, persons may contact the RCCF office at 933-1098.

Ten new funds were added to the foundation in 2007: Oak Heritage Conservancy Fund, Fred & Jolene Rockwood Family Operating Endowment Fund, George & Patricia Brinkmoeller Scholarship Fund, Marilyn M. & William T. Van Hook Operating Endowment Fund, Nellie Volz Memorial Operating Endowment Fund, Miles Enterprises Operating Endowment Fund, Roselyn McKittrick Family Operating Endowment Fund, Daren Baker Operating Endowment Fund, Ollier Masonry Operating Endowment Fund and Al & Norma Hartman Children’s Operating Endowment Fund.

Many students are aided by RCCF funds. Program officer Jane Deiwert explained the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program. For 2008, “we had about 70 applicants and narrowed it down to eight” finalists. Each recipient must attend an Indiana College.

“This is the really fun part of my job to get to deal with the Lilly and Ripley County Community Scholars,” she admitted.

Batesville High School graduate Tyler Giesting and Jac-Cen-Del graduate Kellen Stolze received full-ride Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, and six other 2008 graduates – Chelsea Cook and Megan Rumpke, Oldenburg Academy; Amber Hountz and Toni Perdue, BHS; Deborah Fryer, Milan High School; and B.J. Sieverding, South Ripley High School – were recognized as Ripley County Community Scholars and were granted $1,000 scholarships.

The foundation also awarded grants to non-profit organizations. One of the 2007 recipients was Margaret Mary Community Hospital, which received $7,500 for its CATCH (Coordinate Approach to Children’s Health Care) Program.

Geralyn Litzinger spoke on behalf of MMCH and thanked the RCCF for their support. She reported, “In January, we hosted a program and taught teachers how to implement this (CATCH program) in their schools.”

The research-based program promotes the message of “healthy eating and being active every single day .... and building those behaviors in our children.”

The 2007 RCCF board members included Bill Van Hook, Deb Locke, George Junker II and Bud McGowan, Batesville; Ron Knueven and Jenny Miles, Sunman; Jennifer Darnold and Marcus Felde, Versailles; Phil Mohr and Brenda Wetzler, Osgood; Janet Moore and John Niemeyer, Milan.

The RCCF’s office is located on the third floor of the Memorial Building on Main Street in Batesville.

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.