Foundations Celebrate 12 Outstanding Women
The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, April 12, 2008
This year marks the fourth anniversary of six Southern Indiana Community Foundations uniting, each to honor a Woman Philanthropist of the Year and honoree from the new category of “Emerging” Woman Philanthropist. Making a difference where they live and beyond, the 2008 honorees have multiple years of community service. The public is invited to join the Southern Indiana Women in Philanthropy Regional Celebration “Giving from the Heart,” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Caesars Indiana in Elizabeth. The celebration includes an extensive breakfast and luncheon buffet.
This event will celebrate the following outstanding women in contributing time, talents and financial resources: Rita Gettelfinger and Jolinda Jones (Harrison County), Erma Scott and Maria Standiford (Crawford County), Yvonne Grundy and Lynne Pendygraft (Floyd County), Gail Napier and Stephanie Ferriell (Washington County), Fay Allen and Kerri Cokeley (Clark County) and Carolyn Barnett and Stori Sullivan (Orange County). The honorees were selected by committees coordinated by each county’s Community Foundation.
The Woman Philanthropy honorees will each receive the traditional Swarovski-designed crystal heart brooch donated by Bob and Jean Caesar, owners of J. O. Endris Jewelers in New Albany. The “Emerging” Woman Philanthropist honorees will receive a bracelet that includes a diamond cut engraved heart charm. Other supporting event sponsors include Caesars of Indiana, National City Bank, First Harrison Bank, Your Community Bank, Monroe Shine, Aebersold Florist, and Allegra Printing and Imaging New Albany. The major sponsor of the event is the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County. Hosted jointly by the Community Foundations of Harrison, Crawford, Orange, Southern Indiana (serving Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties), and Washington counties, the 2007 event included more than 500 guests, a record. Given the new “Emerging” award, organizers anticipate a sell out for this upcoming 2008 celebration with a capacity for 600 guests. Requests for table and individual reservations have been brisk even before the official opening of ticket sales. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are $20 for individuals and $300 for a table sponsor of 10, which includes preferred seating, table signage, program acknowledgment and recognition on the continuously rolling video screen prior to the program and during the brunch. The public can make reservations for the event immediately by contacting any of the following sponsoring Community Foundations by the deadline of May 9 (or until the event is sold-out): Harrison County Community Foundation, 738-6668; Community Foundation of Crawford County, 633-2077; Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, 1-812-948-4662 or toll-free at 1-888-388-2374; Orange County Community Foundation, 1-812-723-4150; Washington County Community Foundation, 1-812-883-7334.
In addition to having earned distinctions in a wide range of arenas, the Harrison County 2008 Women in Philanthropy honorees have had an impact on their communities and citizens of all ages. Rita Gettelfinger, Woman Philanthropist, upon planning for retirement in 1994, contacted a friend to ask about volunteer opportunities in her community of Depauw and within Harrison County. Since that time, she has immersed herself in the social service arena in Harrison County. Gettelfinger serves on the board of directors of LifeSpan Resources and her community involvement includes the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), United Way campaigns, nursing home visitation, transporting spouse abuse victims to shelters and working in the office of the Dept. of Family & Children. She has been a member Harrison County Human Service Association for 14 years and has served as chair and vice chair. She says that she does what she does “because it gives you a good feeling to know that you’ve made things a little bit easier and better for somebody else.” Jolinda Jones, the “Emerging” Woman Philanthropist, resides in Palmyra. She currently serves on the board of Comfort House. She chaired the 2008 “We Who Dare Brunch” fundraising committee for Comfort House and recently purchased waiting room and interview room chairs and child friendly artwork for the facility through the Floyd Memorial Hospital Auction. Jones serves on the board of directors for Scenic Hills Christian Camp and volunteers during the summer as a camp dean. She is a member of the Metro United Way Success By 6 Action Team, which recently launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with the help of the HCCF. Her friends characterize her as a very dedicated individual who always is making strides for the betterment of children in any way that she can.