The Corydon Democrat

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

In a year-end report to the Harrison County Board of Commissioners as well as the county council, Steve Gilliland, director of the Harrison County Community Foundation said, "We funded a lot of recreation this year."

Among the projects were the construction of two Little League facilities and assisting two other Little League facilities, to the tune of $1.5 million, and the YMCA of Harrison County.

"The YMCA is already operating in the black," Gilliland said. Its membership has exceeded the break-even point.

Other funds, $130,000, helped the Harrison County Animal Control Facility, which is expected to open later this month, and the House of New Beginnings transitional facility, to be constructed this year, got $90,000. The Foundation also helped with the expansion of the Comfort House, formerly the RAPE Treatment Center in Milltown, that had 154 adult clients and 45 children clients in 2004.

The Foundation also provided financial support to the Center for Women and Families, that "deals with a lot of victims of domestic violence," Gilliland said, and the second Habitat for Humanity house that will be dedicated on Sunday afternoon.

Gilliland said $48,600 was given to support training and purchase equipment testing to all fire departments. Another $17,775 was used by Harrison County Lifelong Learning to purchase equipment for its new facility in the 101 Building in Corydon.

HCLL was "identified as one of our strategic programs" earlier this summer, Gilliland said.

Harrison County schools benefited from the Foundation with enhanced technology and programs, he said, and county-wide Junior Achievement programs are being expanded and the Exchange City program opened in Louisville.

"It's really a wonderful place," Gilliland said. "We hope to get all the Harrison County students there at some time to experience it."

In all, the Foundation awarded $2,355,682 in 2004 in the form of grants, and another $300,000 was given in scholarships.

Gilliland said $9,029,741 has been awarded since the Foundation was established in 1997.

"Looks like you got a very good year, and the county benefited," commented J.R. Eckart, who chairs the county commissioners, after hearing the report.

Jane Kraft was elected to serve as president of the Foundation for 2005. Norbert Rawert was recently appointed to the board to fill a vacancy, and Donna Lloyd filled a vacancy earlier in the year.

To finish up the year, the Foundation board elected nine Harrison County residents to serve on the first HCCF Advisory Council. Each member will serve two-year terms.