The Old Settlers Association has created a grant application form for Columbia City charitable organizations and projects to utilize in making their requests to the Association next summer. Causes that will make a positive impact on the local community are eligible – specifically endeavors that support Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Community Development, Education, Health, Recreation and Welfare.
The Old Settlers Day committee estimate over the years they have reinvested in excess of $750,000 from Old Settlers Days proceeds back into our community.
The Old Settlers Day committee is pleased to announce grants presented to local not for profit groups. OSD traditionally reinvests a large portion of their festival proceeds back into our community each year. The Old Settlers Day committee estimates it has reinvested over $500,000 since their founding 120 years in 1904.
B. A. B. E. and The YMCA also received grant funds.
Pictured are the OSD Presidents and the 2024 grant recipients.
Front-Jim Argerbright, 2026 OSD President, DeAnne Conn, Camp Whitley, Cindy Baker, Troy School, Darcy Hoopingarner, Whitley County Health Department and Linda Hyndman, 2024 OSD President
Back-Aaron Mathieu, Whitley County Historical Museum, Jeremy Freeman, Night to Shine, Jake Johnson, The Center for Youth, Kim Wheeler, 2025 OSD President.
The Old Settlers Day committee recently donated $2000.00 to Junior Achievement serving Whitley County. The funds are targeted for their K-5th grade students which will serve over 1500 students or approximately 71 Whitley County classrooms.
These classes cover topics such as needs vs wants, the importance of supporting local businesses, saving, investing, wise spending along with workplace readiness skills.
Funds raised by JA locally stays within our community so that JA can provide life learning classes to over 2,900 K-12th grade Whitley county students.
The Old Settlers Day committee estimate over the years they have reinvested in excess of $750,000 from Old Settlers Days proceeds back into our community.
Pictured – Linda Hyndman, Old Settlers Day, Vice President (red coat) and Payton Rhodes Yarian, Junior Achievement Development Manager for Lagrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties.
The Old Settlers Day Committee recently presented Giving Gardens of Indiana a $2000.00 donation for their local Farm & Forest School Scholarship Fund. The Giving Gardens of Indiana program focuses on elementary aged students providing the opportunity to cultivate curiosity, compassion and a connection with the natural world. Partnering with the Columbia City Park Department they are able to alternate classes between the farm and Morsches Park. Hands-on nature-based classes offer an experimental approach and development of the whole child by encouraging independent living and critical thinking. The Giving Gardens of Indiana serving Whitley County and other surrounding counties is located at 479 S. Towerview Dr. Columbia City.
Pictured-Kim Wheeler, Old Settlers Day, 2nd Vice President and Rachel Alexander, Giving Gardens of Indiana, Executive Director
The Old Settlers Committee recently donated $2,500.00 to Troy School. Troy School is a private, accredited alternative school that is not affiliated with any school corporation and is operated by their own board of directors as a not for profit organization.
TROY School offers a safe, supportive learning environment for students who have not found success in a traditional classroom setting and provides their students with the skills and education they need to become productive citizens in our community. Troy School serves approximately 50-55 students in grades 6-12 each year.
TROY School provides transportation to and from school every day for majority of their students. TROY School also offers mental health counseling to all students and has a counselor on staff.
The Old Settlers Day committee estimate over the years they have reinvested in excess of $750,000 from Old Settlers Days proceeds back into our community.
Pictured Old Settlers Day President, Chad Whetstone (red coat), Cindy Baker, Troy School Administrative Director and Troy school students.
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