Dr. Anita Kashan, left, presented Shaun Mudd with the 2024 Kosciusko Community Foundation Heart of Gold Award at the annual KCCF meeting Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Shaun Mudd was honored at the 2024 Kosciusko County Community Foundation annual celebration Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13. Mudd was awarded the Heart of Gold Award.

“This is wonderful,” said Mudd, who shared he was called by Sgt. Doug Light that he needed to take lunch immediately and go to Rodeheaver Auditorium. Mudd recognized his parents “who have always given us a servant’s heart … all of us kids are in some kind of service roll. I want to give a shoutout to my parents. Thank you very much to the foundation for this award. It’s very humbling.”

Mudd shared how when he started a scholarship fund through the foundation, he was told $25,000 was needed.

“I signed the papers. A friend of mine gave the first $5,000. Money started coming in. I had other friends donate. I get a notice, one says $16,000, the other says $26,000,” he stated, noting the response was overwhelming and quicker than he had anticipated.

“This is very humbling. Thank you. Thank you very much,” he stated.

Dr. Anita Kishan, a member of the Heart of Gold committee, noted there were many wonderful applications of those who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact of the lives of others. In recognizing Mudd, Kishan stated he has made a career out of serving others.

“In his job as a DARE and school resource officer, he goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve students in the Tippecanoe Valley school system,” she stated. She quoted the middle school secretary as saying, “He talks to kids at their level. He brings positivity to the table, but at the same time a level of firmness that the kids respect.”

A middle school counselor was quoted as saying, “He is everyone’s hype man. Always encouraging others. He is a great listener and has established great relationships in the schools. The words ‘that’s not my job’ are not in his vocabulary. He is willing to chaperone dances, clean up messes in the bathroom or drive students home.”

Kishan stated Mudd’s service to the community went beyond his job. In 2018, in response to seeing the impact severe bullying had on a child, he started Bowling Against Bullying, bringing education and intervention to the bullying problem. He also established a scholarship fund for students who have experienced bullying.

He is also a part of the Stephen Ministry at his church, which provides one-on-one care for people who are hurting. He walks alongside others with comfort, support and encouragement.

His wife was noted as saying her husband is no stranger to loss and grief. He has used those experiences to selflessly share his personal story of loss in hopes of helping others who are struggling.

Grant Feature

Another highlight of the annual meeting was featuring a grant. This year, the Gidieon Orion Cook Memorial Fund was featured. Gidieon Cook died on June 10, 2019, at 8 years old after being hit by a vehicle. His mother, Keri Fox; Matt Deeds, Harrison Elementary School Principal; and Kelsie Herman, Shamrock Shop organizer, spoke about Cook, the fund and the impact Shamrock Shop has had on children.

Keri Fox, left, shares what her son Gidion Cook was like before his death on June 10, 2019 and the establishment of the Gidion Orion Cook Memorial Fund. To her right is Matt Deeds, Harrison Elementary School principal; and Kelsie Herman, organizer or Shamrock Shop, grant recipients from the community fund.

A few times it was hard not to find a dry eye, when Fox shared her son’s life and what he was like. Recently, a Community Fund grant from the memorial fund was awarded to Harrison Elementary School for the Shamrock Shop to help students in need. Cook was a student at Harrison Elementary at the time of his death.

Herman shared how Shamrock Shop started from a class project. A student had a wish for a friend that his family would be able to buy things they needed. This resulted in the discovery of ongoing needs for toiletries, clothes and shoes and the need was too great for teachers to meet those needs.

A conference room was transformed into the Shamrock Shop and has been helping families for nearly three years. It is teacher-driven and students can be taken to the shop by teachers when a need is noticed. It relies on community donations and grants to remain stocked.

“The outpouring of love and support from this community inspired me to find a way to give back,” Fox said. “To know this shop is serving so many Harrison families would make Gideon proud.”

Deeds stated teachers give their hearts and souls to the kids and often give out of their pockets. He spoke of how the Shamrock Shop began on a small scale and grew. How rules of offering such services were unknown and how parents would perceive the help.

“In three years, we have not had a single parent upset,” Deeds stated. He shared how kids who have worn hand-me-down shoes have expressed elation in getting a brand new pair, or how their toes no longer felt cramped. “There’s no rules on how it works,” he said.

Stephanie Overbey, chief executive officer for the foundation, noted 286 items of clothing, 195 pair of socks, 47 winter attire and 50 pairs of shoes have been distributed.

Steve Yeager, board vice president, shared a year in review. Some of the highlights, which can be found in the annual report, are: 15 new funds established, gifts to the foundation totaled over $13.1 million, grant making from all funds totaled over $6.8 million, early $800,000 in scholarships were awarded to 210 individuals to pursue higher education, a $2.8 million infant and toddler grant initiative was launched to help increase child care capacity and quality for children; and 290 volunteers helped the foundation accomplish its mission last year.

Kay Young, center, was presented a resolution of appreciation from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for her 10 years of service with KCCF. The resolution noted the various committees she served and contributions she has made. On the right is Cheryl Hastings, secretary, with Stephanie Overbey, right, KCCF CEO.

Another highlight was  presented about Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services. KEYS members and facilitators from Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee schools were recognized. Evelyn Duncan and Rick Orr, with KEYS members sharing highlights from the school year.

This year’s annual report and celebration carried the theme “Embrace.” Inside the report people will find stories of Embrace your community, Embrace your legacy, Embrace your healing, Embrace your neighbors and Embrace your journey.

The annual meeting also included recognition of past and present board members, staff, recognition of outgoing and new board members and the 2025 board officers. Laura Kaufman and Josh Silveus were recognized as new board members and retiring board members, Jane Wear and Kay Young, were recognized with the reading of resolutions for each one. New board officers are: Josh Gordon, president; Steve Yeager, vice president; Cheryl Hastings, secretary; Dan Stitcher, treasurer; and Overbey as CEO.

A gift from the community foundation was given to each person in attendance — an opportunity to see Wagon Wheel’s production of “Miracle on 24^th Street” on Dec. 8.