Heritage Fund : The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

James A. Henderson Award for Fund-Raising

2012 Recipient - Charlotte Battin

 In 2009 Children, Inc. and Family School Partners brought to our community a fresh idea for fundraising, based on the hit television program Dancing with the Stars. The first daunting task would be to identify local dance instructors and celebrities to particpate. Enter stage right - Charlotte Battin!! According to her nomination "Charlotte's enthusiasm and eloquence" did just that. The first Dancing with the Stars was a huge hit in 2009 and for the three following years a sell-out.

In four years a total profit of $154,456 has been generated for the two agencies. This success would not have been possible without Charlotte Battin. In her nomination Jacque Douglas wrote " Charlotte has been so generous with her time and talents.....over the past four years. Family School Partners and Childrens, Inc. and the families they serve have greatly benefited from her generosity." Congratulations Charlotte - take a bow, you deserve it!!

 Background

James A. (Jim) Henderson played a key role in the formation of the Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Jim has been an active community leader for years as well as serving as President and later CEO and Chairman of Cummins Inc.

Jim served on the original Heritage Fund Board and co-chaired the first major capital campaign in the 1980s that raised over three million dollars for the foundation. He rejoined the Heritage Fund Board in 2000 and served as Development Committee Chair until 2004. Under his leadership, the foundation's endowment doubled in size. Most recently, Jim led the effort to raise two million dollars in local gifts to leverage a two million dollar grant from Lilly Endowment. Heritage Fund was one of only 12 foundations in the state to be successful in this effort known as GIFT V.

In recognition of Jim's leadership, vision and energy in building the assets of the Heritage Fund and in appreciation for his efforts which have enabled our community foundation to respond more fully to the community's changing needs, the Heritage Fund Board has created the James A. Henderson Award for Fund-Raising.

This award recognizes the invaluable role volunteer fund-raisers play in advancing the quality of life within Bartholomew County.

Specifics

Not-for-profit organizations in Bartholomew County are invited to nominate volunteers who have performed outstanding fund-raising for their organizations.

A committee will review the nominations and select the person to be honored. The committee will consider such criteria as innovation, sustainability, creativity, effectiveness, effort, ability to engage others, outreach to new donors, etc. Generally the amount raised will not be a major factor in the scoring. Efforts will be made to recognize "unsung heroes" in fund-raising.

The successful nominee will be recognized at the Heritage Fund's Annual Report to the Community. He/she will receive a small gift and the nominating organization will receive a $2,500 grant in honor of the winner. Click here for a 2012 Henderson Award Nomination form.

Past Recipients

2011 Paul Ashbrook and his family, Carol, Abbey and Annie, were named the recipients of the James A. Henderson Award for Fund-Raising at the Heritage Fund Annual Report to the Community on May 19, 2011.

Paul initiated the first Hope Bike Ride 23 years ago to help the Hope Food Bank and youth outreach programs. Beginning with 13 riders, the Hope Ride has grown consistently to host over 1,750 riders from around the state and other countries. According to volunteers, the Hope Food Bank serves between 1100 and 1400 people each year in the Flat Rock and Hawcreek Area each year. Paul and his family have worked tirelessly over the years to make the ride a worthwhile and succesfull event, while benefitting many individuals and families. Since its inception, approximately $275,000 has been generated through the annal ride. 

Jeff Blasdel for Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash (K.I.D.S.)        Nominated by Kiwanis

Award presented by Mickey Kim

Jeff Blasdel was named the recipient of the 2010 James A. Henderson Award for Fundraising at the Heritage Fund Annual Report to the Community May 20, 2010. As the visionary and creator of the Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash (K.I.D.S.) in Columbus, Jeff has made quite a “splash” of his own in the community. Due to his leadership and organizational skills, Jeff has managed each year since 2004 to “beg, borrow or buy over 10,000 little rubber ducks”, coordinate scheduling with the DNR, Swift Water Rescue Team, and local police departments, corral hundreds of volunteers to label ducks, transport ducks and set up the course, arrange for fisherman to donate time to pick up ducks and, actually manage the race. To date, organizations in our community have benefited with almost $225,000 being raised to support at least 38 youth programs! Jeff was nominated by the Kiwanis Clubs of Bartholomew County. 

2009 Al Roszczyk for Mill Race Center Capital Campaign
Nominated by Senior Center

Al Roszczyk was named the recepient of the 2009 James A. Henderson Award for Fundraising at the Heritage Fund Annual Report to the Community May 21, 2009.Al was nominated for his work as chair of the fundraising campaign to build Mill Race Center.From the nomination form: "From the moment this individual donned a red apron and chef's hat and brough his wife, Susan, aboard to prepare a pasta party with warm homemade Pizzelles, we knew we had a leader who would inspire our members, community leaders and the community to financially support Mill Race Center.

2008 Ryan Lauer and Blair Duguid for Save EOS Campaign Nominated by Columbus Parks Foundation

“These two young professional members of our community (they had only been here a year) had a passion and wanted to keep a thing of beauty in our community. They began the true definition of a grassroots fundraising campaign to raise $35K to purchase the sculpture for our community.” Dr. Drew Robertson They met their goal and exceeded it at a fundraising dinner on November 1, 2007. Money raised above the purchase price is held by the Columbus Park Foundation to maintain the sculpture.

2007 Laurie Booher and Amy Leinhoop for Freedom Field
Nominated by Columbus Service League

Award presented to Laurie Booher and Amy Leinhoop.

Special needs children had no place to play and these two women set out to fill the need. They were able to raise over $500,000 to make this dream and reality. According to CSL President Tamara Kiel, “As a result of Laurie and Amy’s efforts, …people are coming from near and far to experience it. And it’s uniqueness in size, quality and design has won several national awards.” Thanks to these two community volunteers everyone has a place to play in Columbus.

2006 Student organizers for the Turning Point Dance Marathon
Nominated by Turning Point Domestic Violence Services

Award presented to students involved in the Turning Point Dance Marathon.

This group achieved a 200% increase in fundraising and more importantly a 450% increase in the number of students attending between 2004 and 2006. Their personal dedication and involvement in striving to break the cycle of violence for families in Bartholomew County is unprecedented. This group raised over $61,000 in donations.

2005 John McCauley – Columbus Park Foundation People Trail
Nominated by Columbus Park Foundation

Award presented to John McCauley

John was nominated for his work for the Tour de Trails annual fundraiser. In his nomination form Chuck Wilt wrote, “John raises this money by soliciting individual contributions. He does this on his own time and under his own power (his motorized wheelchair). To my knowledge, I have yet to meet someone who has NOT been asked to donate to our cause by John personally.” Columbus lost one of it’s great champions when John passed away on October 20, 2007.

2004 Dr. Daly Walker – Hospice
Nominated by Hospice of South Central Indiana

Doug Leonard, President and CEO of Columbus Regional Hospital wrote, “Daly stepped out of retirement to provide leadership to this campaign because of his commitment to hospice services for people in south central Indiana. Daly was tireless in his efforts and very creative in his approach.” Daly’s leadership helped raise nearly $4.9 million for the construction of the new Hospice Center.