With assets of $10.3 million, the Daviess County Community Foundation now has an estimated 88 endowment funds. At the foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration Monday night Foundation President Lee Coffman presented 36 grants totaling $171,000 made possible through endowed funds created by donors in Daviess County.

Joe Wellman, a Foundation founding member, gave an update on the Foundation, which began Jan. 4, 1993, with a commitment to raise $8,000. Wellman explained there was no staff, no assets and no money in the bank. The first gift of $400 came from Art and Barbara Boddy.

Thanks to the generous giving of individuals like the Boddy's and Jay Myers, $233,000 was raised by the second year, Wellman said.

In the last 15 years, $4,962,000 in funds have been distributed to local organizations.

"The strength of the foundation is in the people involved," Wellman said.

Former Foundation President Alan Bubalo was awarded the Horizon Award for being an exceptional member of the community and for his selfless support, volunteerism, leadership, coaching and professionalism.

After apologizing for not wearing a tie, Bubalo said "it is a privilege to live in Daviess County."

In a moving moment, a gift of a scrapbook was presented to Barbara Boddy and her daughters in thanks and honor of her late husband Art Boddy and his life. Art passed away this year but was still remembered as several people stood and honored him as he had touched their lives, saying Art cared about everybody and the community. He and Barbara were involved in several organizations and gave tirelessly of their time and money. Several people left sentiments of Art for Barbara to be placed in the scrapbook. Foundation Director Jeannie Fields and her daughter Tracy Guy made the scrapbook for the Boddy family with all the pictures and articles she had of Art and his giving to the community as a founding member of the foundation.

Guest speaker for the evening was Brad Bumgardner, executive director of Parke County Community Foundation. He spoke of Community Foundations doing three things with local dollars — gathers, grows and grants them. Bumgardner asked if anyone ever really enjoys life when you are alive, saying people need to reflect more, stop and think intensely.

“Take a risk. To be aware you have to take risks. Nothing is sadder than the words ‘what might have been,’” Bumgardner said. "Have you made any plans to live on after you’re gone? The Daviess County Foundation is in the hands of the citizens and can be whatever you want it to be.”

Grants presented Monday went to:

$5,000 — Daviess County Fair for full funding for a roof over the bandstand project

$11,871 — Lighthouse Recovery Center for building improvements

$1,000 — Salvation Army for emergency assistance

$6,000 — Generations for Meals on Wheels in Daviess County

$2,500 — PACE Community Action Agency Inc. for Project Lift

$2,500 — PACE Community Action Agency Inc. for Parent Incentive Project

$2,796 — Carnegie Public Library for genealogy equipment

$585 — City of Washington Animal Control and Adoption Facility for tags and medication

$4,495 — Southwest Indiana Powerhouse to replace entrance doors

$3,072 — Town of Elnora for safety equipment

$1,336 — Feed My Sheep for parking shelter and blocks

$3,700 — Washington Assembly of God for Single Mom’s Car Care

$1,255 — RSVP for Little Elves Workshop

$3,740 — RSVP for Children’s Vision Screening programs

$3,720 — Plainville Housing Corporation for plumbing project

$4,164 — Daviess County YMCA for gym window project

$10,000 — Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department for Daviess County Regional Training Props training tower

$1,500 — Girl Scouts of Raintree Council for the Discovering You program

$2,000 — Junior Achievement for the Out Nation program

$7,000 — Guadalupe Center for Voices in Action for Hispanic families in Washington

$8,000 — Daviess County Museum for The Museum is a Cool Place

$2,500 — Washington Parks and Recreation for the aquatic center renovation

$2,500 — Senior and Family Services for client scholarships for adult day services

$1,845 — Senior and Family Services for exercise equipment for Wellness Center

$2,000 — Daviess County United Way for 2009 Day of Caring

$7,000 — Hope House/Church on the Way for Hope House inventory

$6,885 — Town of Elnora for downtown development

$7,000 — Connections for Jubilee Christmas

$8,440 — Friends for Kids for Life Skills program

$3,800 — Four Rivers/Ride Solutions for Keeping Public Transportation Affordable program

$5,000 — Four Rivers/Red Door to assist with transportation service expenses

$15,000 — Parkview Village for activity center

$7,000 — Pregnancy Car center for essential for newborns

$1,000 — Purdue Extension Service for Strengthening Families program

$12,245 — Town of Odon for the Odon Senior/Community Center Equipment Project

$3,000 — Samaritan Center for Wraparound Flex Funds Project