PCCF essay contest winners announced
Katie Hewitt's essay about Becky Brothers' work with youth was the grand prize winner of the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2010 National Philanthropy Week Essay Contest.
Hewitt is a student in Micah Elliott's seventh grade class at South Putnam Junior-Senior High School. In recognition of her accomplishment, South Putnam will receive a grant of $500, and the Haley Bain Memorial Scholarship Fund will receive a grant of $150.
Entries are accepted from seventh grade students in all four Putnam County school corporations.
Students are instructed to write a 500-word essay about "The Philanthropist I Know Personally and Admire The Most."
Elaine Peck, executive director of the Putnam County Community Foundation, said judges evaluate essays with no knowledge of the identity of the schools or the students.
Essay contest judges were Denise Sigworth, Jinsie Bingham, and Louis Fontaine.
There were three finalists in the essay contest this year.
Jalin Burnette was a finalist for her essay titled "Starting at Coat Drives," which recognized Dr. Demetrious Patton for his many efforts to help his fellow man.
Burnette is also a student in Elliott's class, and she chose the Humane Society of Putnam County's Endowment to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.
Riley Canfield was a finalist for her essay "The World-Wide Volunteer," which recognized Heather Wildrick for her volunteer work in the community and around the world.
Canfield is a student in Traci Scott's seventh grade class at Cloverdale Middle School, and she chose the Susan G. Komen Foundation to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.
Mariah Huge was a finalist for her essay "Promoting Local Youth," which recognized Mona Smith's work with youth.
Huge is also a student in Scott's class, and she chose Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars FFA to receive a Finalist Grant Award of $50.
The National Philanthropy Week Essay Contest is another opportunity provided by the unrestricted Community Grants Endowment of the Putnam County Community Foundation.
Anyone may contribute to the Community Grants Endowment, or start a new endowment in hisor her own name. Contributions to the Endowment should be made payable to the Putnam County Community Foundation with "Community Grants Endowment" in the memo, and mailed to 2 South Jackson Street, Greencastle, Indiana 46135.
Contributions may also be made online at www.pcfoundation.org.
Community Foundation staff are available to help donors make gifts of cash, stock, retirement assets, life insurance, bequests, real estate and other types of gifts to the Fund.
To learn more about the Community Grants Endowment, how to make a contribution, or how to start a new fund, visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact Eric Wolfe or Elaine Peck at 653-4978.