Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The board of the Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) has decided that Small Grant applications ($500 or less) for 2009 will not be accepted. That announcement was made by Jennifer Darnold, RCCF Grants Committee Chair at the annual meeting held July 8 at the South Ripley Elementary School. The RCCF will grant in the normal Fall Grant cycle, with a limit in the grant request amount of $2500 and will give priority to grants that relieve human suffering, according to Darnold.

For those organizations interested in applying for a grant, they should contact the RCCF for Intent to Apply forms. These forms are due by August 14 with grant applications mailed to qualifying organizations by August 28 and due back to the RCCF by September 11.

The 2009 RCCF Scholars and Lilly Endowment Community Scholars were recognized. According to Program Officer Jane Deiwert, there were 27 total Lilly scholarships given by the RCCF over the past 10 years. This year eight finalists were chosen from a total of 75, according to Deiwert.

The 2009 Lilly scholarship winners are Gerald Hardesty, son of David and Jennifer Hardesty of Ogsood, and Valorie Wagner, daughter of Dennis and Flora Wagner, also of Osgood. Hardesty and Wagner will receive a full tuition plus an $800 per year stipend for books and fees.

The RCCF Scholars will receive a $1000 scholarship which was awarded to Chelsea Durham, daughter of Sam and Nancy Durham of Versailles; Audrey Huffmeyer, daughter of Doug and Susan Huffmeyer of Osgood; Tess Kuntz, daughter of John and Katharine Kuntz of Batesville; Ryan Hartman, son of Bill and Barb Hartman of Batesville; Christopher Meyer, son of Greg and Cindy Meyer of Batesville; and Clinton Covert.

Ed Scherer-Berry, RCCF Marketing Committee Chair, explained the Kroger Neighborhood Rewards promotion. He said RCCF will receive 4% within a four-week period when reloads total $5000. Those interested in helping RCCF in this way can purchase a $25 gift card from their offices or from Kroger and reload the card before making grocery purchases. Contact RCCF for more information on this promotion.

Jim Leveille, president of the Big Oaks Conservation Society, presented a slide show featuring the improvements to Old Timbers Lodge made possible by a grant from RCCF and a Preserve America grant. According to Leveille, the funds went towards electrical improvements such as upgrading the wiring and power boxes within the lodge.

The main goals of the BOCS are preservation of the lodge; increase use and public knowledge; and to continue to make improvements. Leveille said the BOCS depends on volunteers to accomplish these goals. For more information on the Big Oaks Conservation Society, visit www.bigoaks.org or call 812-273-0783.

RCCF Executive Director Sally Morris presented the Executive Director’s Award to board member Bill Van Hook. “He is a true example of what a board member should be,” said Morris. Van Hook has been very active with the RCCF. He has been a past president of the board, as well as serving on various committees.

For more information on grant requirements or to read the 2008 annual report, visit www.rccfonline.org or contact the office at 812-933-1098.