Ten individuals were honored with a Heart of Gold June 5 in Warsaw. The awards are presented by Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Pictured, in the front row, from left, are Stephanie Camargo, Gladys Deloe, Dr. Anita Kishan and Melanie Vanlaningham. In back are Ami Pitt, Scott Nelson, Jeffrey “Hoss” Smith and Richard Keeven. Not pictured are Jason Farmer and Al Disbro. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
Ten individuals were given a Heart of Gold tonight in Warsaw. The annual awards are presented by Kosciusko County Community Foundation. This year, for the second time, a Nonprofit of the Year award was given to an organization. This year’s winner is Combined Community Services.
The Service Club of the Year award was given to Warrior Leadership Committee at Wawasee High School. The Warrior Leadership Committee is a student organization with 60 student members whose mission is to honor and serve those in need in their school and community. Each of these organizations will receive a KCCF grant to help with charitable projects.
This year’s Heart of Gold recipients are:
Ami Pitt. For the past 20 years, she has been the driving force behind Toy Time, a toy consignment sale. She has coordinated the annual school supply give-a-way through CCS for the past 17 years. She also serves in many capacities through her church and as a 4-H leader.
Gladys Deloe. She founded and directed a nonprofit called Grace in Action USA to serve the educational and life skills needs of children in poverty. She even developed and published a curriculum for children in poverty called LifeTime Learning.
Jason Farmer. When the North Webster Community Center needed repairs to its roof, with snow removal or just general maintenance, Farmer volunteered to do them for free. During this past winter, he plowed out the drives of elderly folks in his town, without compensation, using a borrowed tractor. He helped repair the roof of a neighbor’s home when it collapsed under the weight of snow this past winter.
Scott Nelson. During Riley Radio Days, Nelson, a farmer, made a generous gift of cattle to support children being treated at Riley Children’s Hospital. In addition to his leadership on KC-Ed’s board, he serves as a member of Kosciusko County 4-H Council and Kosciusko County Cattleman’s Association. He helps his wife with the 4-H beef committee and the Junior Leaders, and he spends many hours helping children and families in 4-H.
Al Disbro. For many years, he has photographed the Heart of Gold event. He is a great example of someone who is using his talent for the benefit of others.
Stephanie Camargo. She is a member of the Warrior Leadership Committee at Wawasee High School. In that capacity, she led a community coat drive, which collected and donated over 400 coats and blankets for community members in need.
Jeffrey “Hoss” Smith. He goes to the local jail to visit inmates and often travels to other counties to help those addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Richard Keevan. He visits with inmates at the jail on a weekly basis, and after the death of the jail ministry director, he stepped up to help even more. He has a heart for children who are victims of abuse or neglect or who are caught up in custody disputes. He represents those children’s interests as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Melanie Vanlaningham. She works as the assistant to a middle school principal. At the school, she has also led Fellowship of Christian Athletes, yearbook and dance club. One of her six nominees wrote, “She is more than her title, she is the heart of the school.”
Dr. Anita Kishan. At her church, she leads a group of eight women in a “mentoring our moms” program. She also offers one-on-one mentoring to young mothers. She has gone on mission trips and provided housing in her own home to college students.
The Warrior Leadership Committee at Wawasee High School was named The Service Club of the Year at the Heart of Gold awards June 5 in Warsaw. Pictured, in the front row, from left, are Jada Antonides, Stephanie Camargo, Leeann Estrada and Geoff Walmer. In back are Katy Ashpole, Ronald Vardaman, Mike Schmidt, Hunter Gaerte, Kasey Napier and Kathy Myers. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)