Heritage Fund : The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

2008 Wish List

Make A Wish Come True!!

The 2008 Wish List contains more than 50 wishes that have been submitted by Bartholomew County not-for-profit organizations. The Wish List contains a wide variety of needs and projects where financial support of $25 - $1,000 would impact the lives of children and adults in our community. We compile a list each year to send donors who have established Donor Advised Funds within the foundation. You don't need to have a fund within the Heritage Fund to make a wish come true. All of the organizations that submitted wishes would welcome your support. For additional information regarding the projects listed contact our office or the organization directly.

Social Services

The Arc of Bartholomew County
The Arc provides support services for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Programs and activities are planned through out the year. A Disabilities Awareness Dance will be held in the Spring.
Funding Opportunity - $620 to cover the cost of the dance.

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council of Bartholomew County
The CAP Council visits local elementary schools to perform Kids on the Block skits. Second graders learn about different kinds of abuse from muppet-like puppets operated by high school students. Students learn what they should do if they or anyone they know is being abused. The agency has two wishes:

1. 1,000 Safe Touch/Unsafe Touch coloring/activity books to give to all students attending Kids on the Block performances.
Funding opportunity - A grant of $750 would provide an activity book for every second grade student.

2. T-shirts for the Kids on the Block high school volunteers who spend approximately 575 hours training, rehearsing and performing with the puppets. The t-shirt, designed by one of the students, would provide a small token of appreciation and recognition for their hard work.
Funding opportunity - $500 to purchase t-shirts.

Children Inc.
Children Inc. is the largest child care provider in Bartholomew County and operates a sliding fee scale to make childcare affordable for low income families. Child care is available for children aged 1-13 years at three centers and most elementary schools. The agency has an ongoing need to replace consumables such as: construction paper, glue, paint, crayons, markers and scissors in each of its 14 classroom and 11 latch key sites.
Funding Opportunity – $100 per classroom, up to $2,500.

Columbus Parks and Rec. Department
During the summer months Parks and Rec. hosts children’s activities at local parks. One afternoon a week children are taken to Donnor Center to swim. Many children who participate in the Summer Playground program do not own a swimsuit and towel. Parks and Rec. strives to allow all children to participate in physical activities and learn about healthy nutritional eating. The pool fee is waived for low income families. Parks and Rec. would like to have at least 20 swimsuits and towels available at the beginning of the summer program.
Funding Opportunity – Up to $500.

Community Center of Hope
Located in the former Old Hope school, the Center provides programs for all residents of Hope and the surrounding area to improve their quality of life and provide a location in which to meet. Programs include; Senior Center, Food Pantry, pre-school, after school and summer care for children. The Center has a variety of needs including; First Aid Kits, book display unit, pre-school locker and storage bin system.
Funding Opportunity – Grant awards ranging from $100 - $1,000 would enable the Center to purchase needed items.

Easter Seals
Easter Seals lends a wide variety of hospital equipment to people of all ages who have financial need. The equipment storage area is located near an overhead door and enclosed by open fencing which allows outside dirt and dust to settle over lift chairs, hospital beds, mattresses and miscellaneous bathroom equipment. Enclosing the areas would reduce health risk issues and enable Easter Seals to comply with State regulations. Volunteers are willing to build two walls to enclose the area if building materials are provided.
Funding opportunity – The project budget is $2,400. Easter Seals would appreciate a grant of any size to help complete the project.

Family Self Sufficiency
Family Self-Sufficiency along with nine other not-for-profit agencies partner each year to conduct the School Supply Assistance Drive. The program assists families who due to financial hardship find it difficult to purchase the basic supplies necessary to equip their child for school. The partners expect to register more than 900 children through the First Call For Help helpline to receive backpacks, crayons, notebooks etc.
Funding Opportunity - Gifts of all sizes are welcome.

Family Service of Bartholomew County, Inc.
The mission of Family Service is to strengthen families through counseling, education and home services. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale to families. Children whose families are enrolled in programs are deemed to be at-risk. Family Service offers a variety of programs designed to strengthen parenting skills and the family unit.

1. Family Counseling and Child Abuse & Neglect Program – Play is a very effective learning experience for children. Family Service has identified three specialized games that will teach children to manage their emotions, deal with anger and control their impulses.
Funding Opportunity – The specialized games can be purchased with a grant of $200.

2. Common Sense Parenting Class – parents are taught positive parenting techniques. To encourage participation a parent pays half of the $288 class fee. Funds are needed to cover the remaining costs.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of $720 will enable five parents to attend parenting classes.

3. Healthy Families of Bartholomew County - a child abuse/neglect prevention program that uses a strength-based home visitation approach. The primary mission of the program is to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect in the families served. During the previous year a large number of families that assessed positive for a higher risk of child abuse and neglect could not be served due to a lack of funding.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of $480 would enable a family to receive four home visits from a Healthy Families counselor.

4. Caring Parents - trained volunteers visit new mothers in their homes to provide support and advice on caring for their baby during the first year. Many families enrolled in the program have limited childcare skills and need the additional support provided by their volunteer mentor. Volunteers provide reading materials and share information on what to look for in the child’s next stage of development. The program provides small educational and safety gifts during visits and a birthday gift when the child reaches his/her first birthday. Educational and safety gifts are provided to 100 families annually. Gifts include first aid kits, cabinet locks, bath spout covers, bathtub thermometers and tummy time floor blankets.
Funding Opportunity – $250 to $2,000 would enable Caring Parents to purchase a variety of gifts.

Foundation for Youth (FFY)
FFY incorporates programming from the Boys and Girls Club of America and Columbus Youth Camp to provide healthy and positive youth development through recreation, enrichment, and leadership opportunities. Big Brothers/Big Sisters is also a program of FFY. FFY maintains a Scholarship Fund to ensure all children are able to participate in program activities.

1. Boys & Girls Club: Children ages 5-18 participate in after-school and summer programs that focus on Character & Leadership, Commitment to Learning, Developing a Positive Identity, and promotes a Healthy Lifestyle. The cost for one child per week is $25 for the after school program and $75 for the summer program.

2. Big Brothers Big Sisters: Adults act as mentors providing a positive role model for young people in the program. Matches meet one-on-one for an average of one hour per week. Meetings take place at school or in the community. The cost to support a match is $1,200 per year.

3. Columbus Youth Camp: Children ages 5-18 have the opportunity to participate in either day or resident summer camp programs. Day camps offer exploration of people, animals, nature, and crafts. The resident camp offers the opportunity to live away from home. The cost to support a child in Day Camp is $75 per week and Resident Camp is $450 per week.
Funding opportunity – Support for the Scholarship Program ranging from $25 - $1,200. During 2007 scholarship support totaled $103,000.

Horizon House
Horizon House is the first point of call for families and individuals who are homeless. Approximately 30 families stay at the shelter each year while learning self sufficiency skills. Horizon House clients arrive at the shelter with limited personal resources.

1. The shelter tries to maintain a supply of Wal-mart Gift Cards that can be given to clients on an as-needed basis. The vouchers can be used for gas, food, and clothing which can be purchased in any dollar amount.
Funding Opportunity - A grant of $500 would provide 20 - $25 gift cards.

2. Clients who are ready to leave the homeless shelter are given a care package when they move out. The package includes; a bucket, broom, mop and cleaning supplies.
Funding Opportunity - A grant of $500 would provide care packages for ten families.

Just Friends Adult Day Care
Just Friends provides a safe, home-like environment for senior residents. Activities are designed to provide opportunities for socialization and fun, but also to stimulate participants physically, mentally, and emotionally. The program enables many families to keep their aging parents in the comfort of their own home. Many caregivers have requested that Just Friends create a Support Group to provide education, respite and networking opportunities. Just Friends is seeking funding to cover the cost of caring for adult clients during the monthly meetings and fees for guest speakers.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of $540 would fund monthly support group meetings for one year.

Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center (LCNFC)
LCNFC provides supportive services to low income families and individuals living in “downtown” Columbus. The center helps and encourages residents to work towards self-sufficiency.

1. LCNFC has teamed with Lincoln Elementary to help address the lice problem within the school. Instead of a child being sent home, parents are contacted and given the option of having a volunteer provide immediate treatment at school. The program has proven very successful; over 200 days of instruction that were missed annually due to head lice, have been virtually eliminated. Lice kits (shampoo and combs) cost approximately $15 each. Kits are also sent home to treat all other members of the household.
Funding opportunity - $500 - $1,000 for supplies.

2. Throughout the year, the LCNFC is called upon to assist with various emergency/special needs. Many times, these requests are for needs which cannot be met by resources already available in the community. Requests include; blankets, fans, medication co-pays, vehicle repairs, and cleaning supplies. LCNFC maintains an Emergency Needs Fund. In 2007 there were insufficient monies available to meet resident needs.
Funding opportunity - $500 - $1,000 to support the fund.

The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana
Located on the IUPUI campus in downtown Indianapolis, the House serves families from all over the world who have children being treated at Riley Hospital for Children and other area hospitals. In 2007, 31 families from Bartholomew County stayed at the house for a combined total of 518 nights. The Ronald McDonald House relies on public donations to operate the House and appreciates cash donations, food and other in-kind gifts (such as household cleaners, paper goods, bottled water, etc.), and pop tabs! Website
Funding Opportunity - $3,650 underwrites a family’s cost of a room for one year; $1,000 buys a personalized leaf on our donor tree at our Riley Hospital facility; and $500 buys a personalized heart on our Heart Wall in the lobby of our Limestone Street facility.

Senior Center Services
Although the cost of an annual membership to the Senior Center is only $20 a person many seniors are unable to afford the fee. There is also growing interest among developmentally disabled adults under the age of 50 to participate in programs at the center. The fee for Associate members is $25.
Funding Opportunity – Up to $1,000 to purchase memberships for those unable to afford them.

Turning Point Domestic Violence Services
Turning Point provides emergency residential shelter services to adult victims of domestic violence and their children. Over 75% of Turning Point’s shelter clients decide to move into an apartment rather than return to their assailant. Those clients face the stressful situation of starting from scratch. Turning Point is seeking funding to create Home Start-up Kits consisting of basic cleaning equipment and supplies. Included in the kit would be; brushes, mops, towels, shower curtain and cleaners.
Funding Opportunity - $500 would be sufficient for ten Home Start-up Kits.

Civic

Atterbury – Bakalar Air Museum
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum is located at Columbus Airport. The museum reflects the role that the Atterbury Army Airfield and area residents played in military conflicts between 1942 and 1970. The museum is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. The museum operates on a very tight budget. The Bruce Dalton Media Center will be built during 2008. Audio visual equipment is needed for the Media Center to screen educational films and videos for students and visitors.
Funding Opportunity – Up to $1,000 for TV, DVD equipment.

Bartholomew County Historical Society (BCHS)
BCHS collects and preserves Bartholomew County artifacts, photographs, and documents. Interpretive programs and displays offer insights into Bartholomew County’s heritage. One of the museum’s signature program is “Spring at the Farm”. The Museum has a variety of needs which include:

1. Sponsorship for “Spring at the Farm” program: $500/per group. Activities include Steam Engine demonstrations, spinning and weaving, cooking, petting zoo, crafts and music

2. Sponsorship for Junior Historical Society: $1,000

3. Trees for the Historic H. Breeding Farm: $250 each

4. Signage for the Historical Society downtown: $1,000

Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE)
CARE was formed in 2004 as a “rescue” organization primarily for local cats and dogs. The current focus is on pet care education and support for low-income families with pets. CARE maintains an Emergency Medical Fund for the veterinary care of rescued animals and pets whose owners are unable pay veterinary bills.
Funding Opportunity – Up to $1,000 to support the Emergency Medical Fund.

kidscommons
The museum provides a unique learning environment for children between the ages of 2 – 12 and their families. The museum seeks scholarship support to enable school groups and low income families to participate in creative learning experiences.
Funding opportunity - $600 would enable eight classes to visit the museum ($75 per class).
Funding opportunity - First Fridays - $500/ month to offer free museum admission to those unable to afford admission.

Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators
Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of native Indiana wildlife and birds of prey. Animals that can not be rehabilitated are used in wildlife education programs for area schools and local community groups. Many local schools are interested in scheduling nature outreach programs but have insufficient funds to cover program costs.
Funding opportunity – The cost to Utopia to provide program visits ranges from $50 - $100. A grant of $500 would fund interactive nature presentations at 7-10 schools.

Culture

Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC)
1. CAAC provides arts experiences for at-risk youth in a local residential treatment facility. Funds to support an art residency would allow youth from the ages of 12-18 to experience expressive therapies such as music, visual arts, movement, theater, and the literary arts. These artistic expressions become tools that a young person can use to channel their emotions and direct their energies for constructive ends.

2. The Columbus Area Arts Council directs public art projects in the community. Funds are being sought to support public art projects that enliven downtown during construction and redevelopment.

3. The 2nd Driftwood Valley Music Festival will be held at Mill Race Park on September 27th. Indiana traditional artists will conduct public demonstrations during the Festival. Traditional arts are those where knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, master to apprentice, neighbor to neighbor such as; blacksmithing, soapmaking, quilting, spinning and instrument-building.

4. The Student Jazz Festival is an annual event. A professional jazz musician conducts master classes and workshops in the schools for young jazz musicians. This experience culminates in public performances by jazz bands from North High School, East High School, and Central Middle School, followed by a performance by the professional jazz musician and his/her ensemble.
Funding Opportunity – CAAC would welcome grant support ranging from $500-$1,500 for each of the projects.

Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP)
Each Spring CIP hosts an Adventure Concert for area third and fourth grade students. The concert provides many students with their first experience of classical musical. Approximately 3,000 students attend each year. CIP provides teachers with instructional materials prior to the concert. The fee of $3 per student plus transportation costs makes participation difficult for many schools.
Funding opportunity – A grant of $1,000 would cover the cost of 330 students attending the concert.

Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO)
CSO, founded in 1922, features young artists during its family concerts. A large number of music students who played with the orchestra have become professional musicians. It's not only a thrill for these youngsters to play with a symphony orchestra, but helps them to build self-confidence. The orchestra operates on a limited budget. The cost of sheet music rental restricts the orchestra’s musical selections. Music rental costs a minimum of $200.
Funding opportunity – $200 - $1,000 to assist with rental costs.

Education

Bartholomew County Literacy Task Force
1. Book Buddies - The program is in its second year. The first year was very successful with more than 90% of struggling second graders reading on grade level at year-end. Second grade students selected for the program meet with volunteer Buddies to improve reading skills. Students work on set assignments with a different volunteer for half-an-hour, four days a week. More than 400 volunteers have been trained to provide one-on-one tutoring. 187 students at 12 elementary schools participate in the program. Prizes and incentives are needed to reward students when they reach their reading goals.
Funding opportunity – Up to $1,000 to purchase prizes and books for students.

2. Put your Nose in a Book – Bartholomew County schools and businesses are invited to show their support for literacy on September 8th (International Literacy Day) by interrupting their studies/work at 10:00 a.m. to read for 15 minutes. Students in kindergarten – third grade each receive a red foam nose to wear. 2008 will mark the third year of the program. More than 10,000 students participate each year.
Funding opportunity – A grant of $1,000 would provide noses for young students.

Columbus North High School Library
The library would like to participate in the Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award program. The purpose of the Rosie Award is to encourage high school students to read for fun. Students are asked to read and evaluate up to twenty selected books. The library would need to purchase 3-4 copies of the selected books. A Book Plate would distinguish the book as a Rosie book.
Funding opportunity – $700 would enable the library to purchase copies of all 20 titles.

Family School Partners (Formerly Home School Partners)
Family School Partners works with parents and their pre-school children who have been identified to be at-risk due to low income or family circumstances. The program teaches parents how to become their child’s first teacher. Several events are planned during the year to enable parents and children to come together to experience new learning opportunities. A kick-off picnic is held at the beginning of the program year. Other activities include winter visits to the Gymnastic Center, kidscommons and a Christmas Party.
Funding Opportunity – Up to $1,200. Each activity costs FSP approximately $400.

Friends of the Children Fund
The Friends of the Children Fund is a field of interest fund within the Heritage Fund and provides emergency funds to area students. Students who are experiencing problems at school due to family financial concerns may receive help from the fund. Items purchased include: football cleats, glasses, yearbooks, and shoes. Students in need of assistance are identified by BCSC’s Student Assistance Director.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of any size would make a difference in a child’s life.

Fundamental Phonics
The program provides after school and summer tutoring sessions for struggling readers. The program provides a multi-sensory approach to reading and focuses on the action of the mouth and tongue during speech as well as phonemic awareness. The program is staffed by teachers and speech therapists. The program is fee based. Scholarship support would enable children from low-income families to improve their literacy skills.
Funding Opportunity – Grant support ranging from $500 - $1,000.

Latinamerican Organization of Volunteers in Education (LOVE) a program of Su Casa.
LOVE was formed in 2007 by a group of Hispanic/Latino college students who have graduated from East and North high schools. The purpose of LOVE is to encourage Hispanic/Latino middle and high school students to achieve their dream of pursuing higher education. Approximately 20 local Latino students are expected to pursue college education upon graduating from high school this year and about 25 area junior Latino students plan to go to college in 2009. Many of the students face financial obstacles such as SAT and college application fees as well as the cost of books and tuition.
Funding Opportunity – $500+ LOVE volunteers would welcome grants of any size to support and encourage Latino teens to go to college.

McDowell Adult Education Center
McDowell provides a variety of programs for adults including basic literacy classes for adults working to improve their reading and writing skills and for those learning English as a Second Language.

1. A wall calendar for each Basic Education student to help them learn the alphabet, numbers, months and seasons. McDowell has identified an inspirational 16 month calendar it would like to purchase.
Funding Opportunity – $325 would provide 100 calendars.

2. McDowell would like to create a "Survival Kit" for ESL students. The kit includes materials and tools needed to develop life skills and aid job-searches. Items in the kit include a map of Columbus, highlighter, a small pocket calendar to record interview appointments, a memo pad and pen for taking notes, and a Spanish/English dictionary or picture dictionary.
Funding Opportunity – $1,000 could be used to create 30 packets.

Young Mothers Educational Development (Y-MED)
Y-MED provides continuing education, including prenatal classes and parenting classes for school-age expectant teens and school-age mothers. Y-MED has two requests:

1. The Human Development class provides pre-natal training for young pregnant teens to increase their knowledge of pregnancy, fetal development, childbirth and delivery as well as post-partum care. Many of the teaching materials are worn or outdated and need to be replaced. Y-MED has identified DVD’s and teaching charts that would be beneficial for pregnant teens.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of $460 would be sufficient to purchase the visual aids.

2. Y-MED Nursery: Caring for the children of teen-age moms sometimes requires additional skills and training for both staff and moms. Y-MED would like to purchase an Assessment Toolkit and Teaching Curriculum to ensure babies and toddlers receive the best possible care.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of $575 would be sufficient to purchase the materials.

Health

Aging and Community Service (ACS)
ACS administers the Bartholomew County Medication Assistance Program. The program provides vital medicines to low income clients. Many clients have diabetes. While the program is able to purchase medications at reduced costs, diabetic supplies such as meters, test strips and syringes are not discounted. The supplies are vital to ensure clients can safely administer their insulin.
Funding Opportunity - A grant of $1,000 would provide the necessary supplies for 26 clients.

Camp Riley
Camp Riley serves youth with physical disabilities between the ages of 8-18. Since 1990, 61 children from Bartholomew County have attended the week-long camp held at Bradford Woods. As families have high medical bills, the Riley Children’s Foundation is seeking financial support to make the camp affordable. Families are asked to pay $350 towards a total cost of $2,000. Five children from Bartholomew County are expected to attend during the summer.
Funding opportunity – $200 - $1,000 to underwrite camp costs.

Hospice of South Central Indiana
Hospice provides care to terminally ill individuals and their families in Bartholomew County and the surrounding area. Hospice has a variety of needs that would help provide comfort to patients during their final days.

1. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - $2,400

2. Portable Suction Machine - $300

3. Air Mate High Efficiency Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) - $1,000 (Worn by Hospice personnel to reduce respiratory exposure to airborne particles)

Volunteers in Medicine (VIM)
Volunteers in Medicine offers free medical assistance for financially disadvantaged individuals. VIM is seeking support for two projects.

1.VIM patients gain a greater understanding of health issues and treatments through the use of Kinesthetic learning tools. Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol would be targeted to receive the interactive healthy living training.
Funding Opportunity - $1,000 for the purchase of Kinesthetic learning kits.

2. VIM provides a special clinic on Monday evenings to meet the medical needs of the Spanish speaking population. A special Spanish speaking diabetes clinic is held monthly to support the increasing number of diabetic patients. Many Latino patients are not eligible for medication assistance from pharmaceutical companies. Diabetes medications cost approximately $200 per month per patient.
Funding Opportunity – A grant of any size would be appreciated by VIM.

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