(Sunman, IN) – The Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) shined the spotlight on the people and programs that made 2024 an impactful and bountiful year for the organization at its annual dinner Tuesday night at the Sunman American Legion Post.
“From scholarships, to children’s books, to birthday boxes, we are helping others to eliminate hunger, improve literacy rates, encourage educational attainment, and we are reminding people that they truly matter,” said RCCF Executive Director Amy Streator.
“Our four pillars of Arts and Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Education and Workforce Development, and Environment and Natural Resources, ensure that the community foundation effectively allots its time, its energy, and its resources to enhance the quality of life in our community for generations to come,” Streator added.
A special highlight was the announcement of the recipient of the 2025 Change Ripley County Grant. The community foundation is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Ripley Youth Outreach – the initiative that awards the grant.
This year’s $10,000 grant was awarded to the South Ripley Jr./Sr. High band program, which will purchase new instruments and equipment.
“This grant will allow them to have the potential to impact students develop significantly over the next 15 years,” said Ripley Youth Outreach Grants Chair Bonnie Hoffrogge. “Today’s kindergartners will be able to use these instruments while they advance to middle school and high school band.”
South Ripley Schools Superintendent Rob Moorhead accepted the award.
“Anytime you can show up and go home with a ‘Happy Gilmore’ check, it’s a good day,” Moorhead joked. “But we will certainly take that and we appreciate the support of the Ripley County Community Foundation and specifically Ripley Youth Outreach.”
Other applicants for the Change Ripley County Grant and its plans for the dollars were:
- The Oldenburg Academy Innovation Council – the Maypole Heritage Park renovation project.
- Safe Passage, Inc. – extension of educational support services to schools in all six counties in its service area.
In addition, five organizations serving the Batesville area were awarded a total of $27,500 from the Hillenbrand Partnership with Possibility Grant (pictured). They are:
- Batesville Memorial Public Library – $7,500 for the Arts and Innovation Hub project.
- Genesis: Pathways to Success: $5,000 for the Career Exploration Expo.
- Kids Discovery Factory: $5,000 for Pop Up Play events.
- Oldenburg Academy Innovation Council – $7,500 for the Maypole Heritage Park renovation project.
- Ripley County Historical Society – $2,500 for Wreaths Across Ripley County.
This year’s second round of Hillenbrand Partnership with Possibility grants will be awarded this fall.
Callie Kaiser was presented both the Riley Duerstock and Marysue (Luhring) Knisely nursing scholarships.
2025 Ripley County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient Roman Hite was recognized, as were finalists Delaney Donawerth, Christian Mack, Elizabeth McKittrick, and Shanna Smith.
The President’s Award was presented to the Gibson Theater in Batesville and the Damm Theater in Osgood for the roles they played in the success of the inaugural Ripley County Film Fest, which was held earlier this month.
