Download a pdf of the postcard.

PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHRIS MAY!

Chris comes to us as the successful long-time Executive Director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He is a 2000 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School with fond memories of his time in band and 4-H and on-air at WRCR radio. His first day is 2/13.

“Words cannot describe the excitement and honor I feel in being named the next executive director of the Rush County Community Foundation. I look forward to working with you to enrich and enhance the quality of life in Rush County today and for generations to come.”

YOU’RE INVITED!

On Thursday, February 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. you’re invited to stop by the RCCF office, 117 N. Main Street in Rushville, to connect with Chris. Join us for cookies, community, and conversation.

GRANTS

Your gifts create positive change in Rush County, today and always.

2022 COMMUNITY GRANTS CYCLE II: $40,400

• $10,280: City of Rushville Fire & Rescue purchased the Ambu Man Advanced Training Manikin. The realistic attributes of this manikin will heighten their training experience. The City has extended training to other departments in the county.
• $5,000: Firefly Children & Family Alliance purchased diapers and supplies for the From the Bottom Up Diaper Bank, providing budget relief and great benefit to Rush County families. Packs including diapers, wipes, a children’s book and resources for adults are available at Rush County food pantries during their operating hours.
• $12,500: Gleaners Food Bank supports the school-based pantries at Milroy Elementary and Rushville Consolidated High School. The need for food assistance in our community is immense.
• $12,620: Milroy Elementary, with support from the Milroy Economic Development Corporation, is creating the Milroy Community Walking Path as part of their Project Based Learning initiative. Once the path is complete, it will be open to the Milroy community, providing a wonderful new benefit to all.

2022 FIELD OF INTEREST GRANTS: $15,871

• $2,432: Rushville Regional Theatre will expand their repertoire with a production of skits and songs from Broadway.
• $1,400: Rush County Soil & Water will work with other area agencies to provide a series of gardening and conservation programs to be held in our local parks next year. The funds will cover the purchase of seeds, potting mix, seed starting trays/pots, a permanent compost bin and signage/message board. They plan to teach the basics of how to begin a garden, start your own seeds, compost waste, keep your soil healthy, look for ways to conserve natural resources, manage weeds and pests, attract pollinators and more.
• $5,361: Benjamin Rush Middle School: Shantel Cartwright led a field trip for all 8th graders at BRMS to learn about careers and opportunities right here in Rush County and students enjoyed farm-to-table lunch with local products. This is the first grant awarded from the Rush County Ag Fund. First established in 2017, it is almost entirely funded by gifts of grain. Kate Schwertfeger upgraded technology in her Digital Citizenship class.
• $3,410: Rushville Elementary West: Anna Jo Richards helps her students manage their emotions and stress by creating “Calming Corners” that children can utilize and not disturb other students. She added color changing bubble lamps to all of the Calming Corners. Kelli Koors purchased benchmark leveling kits to help with reading instruction.
• $2,268: Rushville Elementary East: Melissa Crowe purchased books for Family Literacy Night.
• $1,000: Rushville Consolidated High: Brooke Edwards makes science relevant and fun. She purchased programming from “Project Lead the Way”, which provided project-based STEM learning to develop students’ skills for the real world in an exciting and engaging way

REC CENTER

Rush County residents have dreamed of a community center for decades. Timing and circumstances never seemed to align. Until now. With construction costs fully funded, the REC Center is happening. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2023 with a completion date in the second half of 2024. SEE INTERIOR DESIGNS AND READ MORE

CBAP PROJECTS

Volunteers tackled big challenges to create positive change. Your gifts to the Rush to Action Fund made it possible! READ ALL UPDATES

• Provided journals and instruction to all 7th and 8th graders to learn techniques to cope with depression, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions.
• Created a logo and vistrushcounty.com website. Set up a welcome/info area for visitors at Mocha Moose in downtown Rushville.
• $10,000 for Rushville Parks programming
• $10,000 for a fiber development agreement to extend high-speed internet access county-wide
• $3,200 for downtown beautification micro grants

KELBY ROBERTS IS THE 2023 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLAR

Kelby will receive full 4-year tuition to the accredited Indiana college or university of her choice and $900/year for required books and supplies. She plans to attend Purdue and double major in political science and ag economics with a focus in prelaw and public policy. Boiler up! READ MORE

SURPRISE GRANTS TO THREE ORGANIZATIONS

Surprise grants were awarded to imagine:nation, the arts & cultural council of Rush County, City of Rushville Parks Dept. and Rushville Animal Shelter from votes cast by attendees of Sips & Poker Chips: A Grant Giveaway Game Night. READ MORE