Mary Allison Children’s Trust hosts annual luncheon

Those in attendance for the Mary Allison Children’s Trust annual luncheon include (front from left) Chuck Dixon, Tri County Bank & Trust Co.; Brandon Wagler, Bainbridge Elementary, Megan Ward and Meredith Bee, Ridpath Elementary; Mary Allison board President Jeff Kiger, Hoosier Heartland State Bank; Levi Yowell, South Putnam Middle and High School; board member Anthony Wireman, Servies & Morgan; Trust Patrons Brent and Cozette McCoglin; Trust Patron JoAnn Linn; Chad Nunley, Area 30 Career Center; (middle) board Treasurer Ginger Scott, Wabash Capital; Trust Patron David English; Tracy Earley, Wabash Capital; Rotary Club President Scott Monnett; Joanne Muncie, Deer Meadow Primary; Jesica Lenihan and Becky McPherson, Greencastle Middle School; Jennifer Rhoads, Tzouanakis Intermediate; board Secretary Donna Houser; Trust Patron Kandy Humphreys; Jill Newton, Fillmore and Central Elementary; Dawn Tucker and Heidi Worthington, Cloverdale Middle School; Board Vice President Lucy Wieland; (back) Mike McHugh, Deer Meadow Primary; Jeff Gibbony, Greencastle Community Schools; Keith Gilpatrick, North Putnam Middle School; past board President Jim Jackson; Trust Patron Brian Humphreys; board member Matt Headley; Staci Parent, Bainbridge Elementary; North Putnam High School student Alaina Chew; (not pictured) Brady Hansel, The Home Town Savings Bank; and past board member Mike Goss.

Courtesy photo

The Mary Allison Children’s Trust recently held its annual Trust Patron/school luncheon at Area 30 Career Center with the Culinary Arts Class preparing the meal for the guests. The luncheon was sponsored by Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Servies and Morgan Funeral Homes and Wabash Capital Inc.

The purpose of the luncheon is for school officials to be able to network with the Trust Patrons (donors of $500 or more) and the board members to share their stories of how the trust helps the children of Putnam County and for trust to be able to say thank you to school officials for being their eyes and ears of the needs of the children.

The first grant cycle for the 2022-23 year has been completed and checks were presented to the recipients during the luncheon. The trust received 40 grants and was able to fund 25 of these grants for a total amount of $10,000.00.

Award to grant projects include:

• Greencastle Middle School – bouncy band for desk, Filling the Gaps, math intervention and enrichment, Lenihan’s math, personal finance games, rocket launch air compressor, Beyond the Book, reading/math incentives, Relevant Reading, Mark Making, calming fidgets, read aloud corner and documents camera, classroom economy store, Operation Read and Flocabulary;

• South Putnam High School - word sculpture;

• Fillmore Elementary – Red Ribbon Week and kindess awards;

• Cloverdale Middle School – Mark Making;

• Central Elementary – Red Ribbon Week;

• Tzouanakis Intermediate School – Wiggle Walk;

• Ridpath Primary School – Sensory Tools for Schools; and

• Bainbridge Elementary School – Cougar P.O.W.E.R.

School officials expressed their gratitude to the trust at its patrons.

“We are grateful for the grant for the Mary Allison’s Children’s Trust,” Ridpath counselor Megan Ward said. “It will allow us to purchase sensory items for Ridpath, including sensory paths for each of our grade-level hallways. We are excited to provide this opportunity for our students to have movement sensory breaks throughout the day right outside their classroom door.”

Greencastle Middle School Principal Becky McPherson concurred.

“Greencastle Middle School is very grateful for the opportunity our teachers have to apply for and receive Mary Allison grants,” McPherson said. “The programs and resources these grants allow us to purchase have a meaningful educational impact on our students and our school is so thankful for this support.”

Cloverdale Middle School Principal Dawn Tucker spoke of the good the trust does in her school.

“Cloverdale Middle School staff appreciates the generosity of the Mary Allison Children’s Trust Fund,” Tucker said. “Through the years, several teachers have received grants that allowed them the opportunity to integrate special projects in their curriculum. Many students have been positively impacted.”

Mary Allison Board President Jeff Kiger said the board is likewise appreciative of the work being done in local schools.

“We are honored to be able to assist these programs stated,” Kiger said. “It is the responsibility of our board of directors to serve the children of Putnam County and continue the legacy of Mary Allison not only through these grants but also with our board allotments and our annual giving to each of the elementary schools in Putnam County. All of these are made possible with the dedication and oversight of the board of directors, donors and the annual golf outing. It is truly a team effort”

The Mary Allison Children’s Trust has served the children of Putnam County since 1896. For more information on the trust, call 765-655-2333 or email gscott@wabashcaptial.com or contact any board member.