Anne Johnson

Ernestine “Anne” Johnson grew up in Loogootee, IN, and attended college at Indiana State University.  It was there she first heard his magical voice.  “I remember hearing him on the radio and thinking, ‘Wow.  What a great voice.’”  But it wasn’t until several years later that Anne met the owner of that wonderful voice. 

Anne worked at NSWC Crane for 28 years doing several different jobs.  She most enjoyed working in the Public Affairs Department.  It was there she met the man with the mesmerizing voice, Dave “Bud” Johnson.

Dave had grown up in Bedford, IN, and joined the Navy after high school.  Later, Dave attended broadcasting school in Washington, D.C.  He worked at several radio and television stations but finally ended up at NSWC Crane.  Dave kept up with his passion, however, and worked on advertising for Bedford Federal Savings Bank.  He also acted in various productions at the Little Theatre of Bedford including Another Part of the Forest and The Odd Couple. 

While Anne and Dave were working together, Dave began “coming around at lunch” and asking Anne to “work on lines with him.” Eventually, Dave asked Anne to come up to his houseboat one evening, but Anne had a rule: dating someone at work was not allowed.  “Finally, one night, I got so bored that I went [to the houseboat] and it’s all history from there,” Anne recalled.  Less than a year later, in 1976, the two were married in Anne’s hometown of Loogootee. 

During their marriage, the couple traveled from icy Alaska to tropical Hawaii, from the small town on Coronado Island to the big city on the island of Manhattan.  In New York, the couple attended a few Broadway shows.  “Theatre was one thing we had in common,” Anne shared. 

The couple’s marriage was very successful.  “He always said that I was so nice and sweet, and he was just the opposite, so we balanced each other out,” Anne remembered, laughing.  “He had a gruff exterior, but he was just a pussycat inside.”  Anne says that her advice to other couples would be to always keep a sense of humor. 

In 2007, Dave passed away from complications of lung cancer.  To honor him, Anne established the David “Bud” Johnson Fund for Little Theatre of Bedford.  This designated fund’s annual distribution will provide support for the Little Theatre.  In addition, Anne also began the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Bedford Fund.  Anne served as Treasurer of the Society for 15 years prior to beginning the fund.  She mentioned that this fund is close to her heart because she’s seen how the Society has helped people in the community. 

Anne passed away in 2012. In her will, she made provisions to establish a designated fund through the Community Foundation to benefit Hope Resource Center and made additional gifts to several designated funds held by the Community Foundation to support non-profit organizations in Lawrence and Martin Counties. Giving through the Community Foundation meant Anne only had to work with one organization rather than several to fulfill her charitable goals. Furthermore, Anne chose to give through the Community Foundation because she knew her donation would be endowed and would benefit these organizations forever.

Wilbur C. Dollens

Wilbur C. “Web” Dollens grew up in Lawrence County. He spent his adult life in Indianapolis where he worked for more than 30 years in pharmaceutical sales for McNeil Laboratories. In planning his estate, Mr. Dollens’ first concern, of course, was his wife, Eileen. But he also wanted to help the community where he grew up.

In early 1992, Mr. Dollens’ advisor reached out to Reverend Stephen Braden explaining that Mr. Dollens was considering making a large gift to Lawrence County and encouraged creating a community foundation to receive the gift.  In response, a small group of community minded individuals led by Rev. Braden, founding board president, established the Lawrence County Community Foundation.

With the formation of Community Foundation complete, Mr. Dollens established the Wilbur C. Dollens Charitable Remainder Trust, the first planned gift of LCCF. His wife, Eileen, was listed as the primary beneficiary. The Lawrence County Community Foundation was named as the remainderman of the trust.

Mr. Dollens passed away in 1993. Mrs. Dollens benefited from the trust until her death in 2005. After her death, the remaining funds were bequeathed to LCCF to establish the Wilbur C. Dollens Fund for Community Grants, an unrestricted, permanent endowment fund held by LCCF.

By designating the Lawrence County Community Foundation as the remainderman of his Charitable Remainder Trust, Mr. Dollens knew that the financial resources he worked hard to acquire would benefit his community…our community, forever.  He could have specified a particular charitable organization to receive distributions from his gift, but he preferred to allow the LCCF Board of Directors to make that decision each year based on the community’s current needs.

Through thoughtful planning Mr. Dollens was able to provide for his wife and benefit Lawrence County for generations to come. Mr. Dollens’ legacy, however, is not only the permanent, unrestricted endowment he established, but the creation of the Community Foundation itself. He helped create an avenue for other charitable individuals to leave their legacies in our community. We are so thankful to Mr. Dollens for his generosity and commitment to helping Lawrence County prosper.

Bob Bridge

A young woman once asked Bob Bridge how a person knows when he or she has become an adult. It was a challenging question and Bob pondered it for a couple of days.

When the young woman called back, Bob gave her his answer, “As a child, I was selfishly interested in what gifts I would receive for Christmas. It was all about me. Then, one Christmas Eve, I experienced an epiphany of sorts. I felt compelled to reward my parents, who had been so sacrificial, with a very special gift.”

Bob purchased an elaborate and expensive entertainment center for his parents’ living room. Though, as a young man, he was still seeking financial stability, he wanted to show them his sincere appreciation for all they had done for him. One night just before Christmas while his parents were out, he set it up and had everything ready to go.

Bob shared about that experience, “The expression on their faces upon returning home that evening was priceless. Their joy was immeasurable. That’s when I became an adult.”

Bob had learned how much better it feels to give than to receive. It was a life-changing moment.

From that point forward, Bob would take his parents with him on vacations to Florida. The trips were full of fun and created many cherished memories. Bob became a minimalist and rather than thinking about what he might want, he sought opportunities to assist those around him. Bob found LCCF was the ideal organization to help him along this path. 

In 2004, Bob established the Bob Bridge Community Fund, an unrestricted endowment to support Lawrence County non-profits. As an unrestricted fund, the Bob Bridge Community Fund can help finance grants for a wide variety of non-profits and community needs and will do so for many years to come.  

“I am convinced beyond doubt,” Bob stated, “the Lawrence County Community Foundation is the optimum way for a person to support the Lawrence County community.”

Brandi Weyer

Brandi Weyer’s first encounter with a community foundation was the Spencer County Community Foundation. When she worked as the Communications Director for the Lincoln Amphitheater, they applied for and received grants from the Community Foundation. As a result, she knew the Community Foundation as a granting organization but had no idea how it worked. 

When she started her career with WBIW, she became acquainted with the Lawrence County Community Foundation (LCCF) and its campaign. She now understood that the Community Foundation could award grants because of the generosity of local donors who gave to LCCF. Furthermore, those gifts would impact the community for many generations because they were invested in permanent endowments. At that time, Brandi was in her early 30s and starting to think about ways to give back to the community. She had limited funds and wasn’t sure where to start. Then she thought about the Community Foundation. “With the Community Foundation, it warmed my heart knowing my $30 per month investment, what I could afford at that time, would benefit many local nonprofits and help meet the community’s immediate and future needs. The Community Foundation has the pulse of the community and understands what the needs are in real time, year after year,” explained Brandi. 

As Brandi became more involved with the Lawrence County Community Foundation, serving on the PR Committee and eventually as a Board member, her admiration for LCCF’s good work deepened. She knew that when she could, she would create her own community fund with LCCF. 

Even though Brandi isn’t from Lawrence County and doesn’t live in Lawrence County, she still wants to support Lawrence County as it is the community where she built her career. The people and business owners of Lawrence County have welcomed her with open arms and have trusted her to help them market their businesses. As a result, she wants to leave a lasting, positive impact on the community that has treated her so well and put food on her table and shelter over her head. 

Brandi shared “It’s my personality to not be just a survivor but a thriver. So, I created the Thrive On Community Fund. I want this community to thrive in the same way it helped me thrive.” Brandi found the Community Foundation made it easy to set up her fund. She chose to establish an unrestricted fund because it will have the ability to support many organizations and a variety of community needs. And this support will continue forever.  “What I love about the Community Foundation,” said Brandi, “you can give $5 or $50,000! It doesn’t matter. You’ll be able to benefit the community where we live and work forever and in a number of ways.”

Joe & Sharon Collins

June 7, 2022, would have been Charles Eugene “Joe” and Sharon Collins’ 56th wedding anniversary.  Joe passed away in December 2019. Sharon Kay Collins was a resident of Autumn Trace Assisted Living in Bedford when she passed in April, 2022.

To honor and continue Joe and Sharon Collins’ strong legacy of community and charitable work, the Joe and Sharon Collins Community Fund was established by their children (Tammy, Kevin, Doug, and Debbie).  Tammy said, “my parents would want their giving to continue long after they have passed.  They were God-loving people and gave us kids everything, so we want to give back to those in need in their memory.   I definitely want their passion of serving to be remembered and, in fact, to be magnified in the future for the benefit of the community.” 

Joe and Sharon Collins were born in 1944 in Bauxite, Arkansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, respectively. They both spent a lifetime serving and caring for others.

Joe Collins was an athlete who played high school football, basketball, and tennis.  He went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War on the USS Cunningham.  Upon return from active duty, Joe was employed with Reynolds Metals Company, which is now part of ALCOA. 

While raising his three kids, Joe could be found on the softball or baseball diamond coaching, or in the gym “coaching” from the bleachers.  He was an avid sports fan; the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals were his favorites.

Joe had a passion for sports and a passion for helping others. When he retired at the young age of 48, after having traveled to Nigeria to open a plant for ALCOA, Joe found himself serving others in a local soup kitchen in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He loved to cook as that was his job on the USS Cunningham.  He could host the best backyard picnics and was very creative with his food display.  He was always the church luncheon coordinator and when the local sports teams needed a meal, they could count him in. 

He always cared for the betterment of society. When a family needed assistance with their electric bills, completing their taxes, or just mowing their lawn, Joe would be there.  He was hard-working, dependable, caring, and most of all humorous. Joe would regularly tell jokes or stories that would grab your attention.

Sharon Collins spent her entire life serving others as well. She was a registered nurse, who paid her way through college while Joe was in the Navy. She began her career in the emergency room, transitioned to orthopedics, and, later in her career, worked in geriatrics. Sharon was a hard-working, proud, selfless, managerial supervisor for many years.

When not at work, Sharon could often be found in her sewing room. She made hundreds of quilts, afghans, Christmas stockings, and dish towels for friends, family, and complete strangers. She loved to use her talents and treasures to give to others.

During her employment with the Arkansas State Psychiatric Hospital, she was struck in the head by a patient and her then poor eyesight became progressively worse. In 1992, Sharon received the devastating diagnosis of legal blindness. Sharon retired after 25 years as she transitioned from caring for others to relying on others.

Sharon loved to worship her Lord Jesus Christ and could recite many passages from the Bible even after becoming legally blind because the words were cemented in her heart and mind.

Knowing how difficult it is to ask for help, seeing despair in family members, and witnessing orphaned children in need of bare necessities formed a forever helping hand attitude in Joe and Sharon Collins.  Although Joe never lived in Lawrence County and Sharon only lived here for the last eighteen months of her life, they knew the need for taking care of others exists in every community.  For Joe and Sharon, the gift of giving is not about the who or where, it is about the what.  The what is assisting others who just need help.  That is what the Joe and Sharon Collins Community Fund will do.

Jim & Edna Anderson

Jim and Edna Anderson became interested in donating funds to Lawrence County Community Foundation when they learned a few years ago about Lilly Endowment's GIFT II offer to match donations dollar-for-dollar. 

"Jim thought it would be a shame if Lawrence County didn't take advantage of the offer," Mrs. Anderson said. "We could donate money for the community plus take advantage of Lilly's generosity."  The Andersons donated stocks that appreciated rather than paying taxes. 

"Estate taxes are blatantly unfair if you've worked all your life," she said. "Donating to the foundation is doing something to give back to the community and doing something for generations." 

The donation was placed in Bedford Urban Enterprise Zone Association's fund to provide seed money for small businesses. As a result of donating to a designated fund during GIFT II, the Anderson's gift also leveraged GIFT II funds, which were placed in the foundation's unrestricted fund. That fund distributes interest payments to numerous nonprofit community projects twice a year. 

“The Foundation doesn’t spend the principal, only the interest,” she said. “It’s something that will go on forever, which is a pretty meaningful thing to do. If you donate to charity, you donate all the time, but this is a one-time donation that keeps on going and growing because money stays invested. I feel like the more people learn about this, the more people will invest in it and our little nest egg will grow.” The Andersons understand how difficult it is to start and maintain a small business, which is why they decided to donate to the Bedford Urban Enterprise Zone Association’s existing fund. The couple owned and operated a restaurant, Red Barrel Drive-In, for eight years beginning in 1956. Later, they closed the restaurant to form A&A Realty. Eventually, Anderson sold commercial real estate and later became a land developer.

“I would rather give money to the local community and have some say so over where it goes, rather than giving it to Uncle Sam to do whatever with,” Mrs. Anderson said.

Ed Epping

Lehigh Portland Cement Co. in Mitchell donated $5,000 to the Mitchell Community Recreation Association toward its $50,000 goal. Lilly Endowment challenged organizations to raise $50,000 locally to which it would give $100,000 each in direct grants for special projects. The $50,000 is placed in a permanent endowment through the Lawrence County Community Foundation.

Mitchell Community Recreation Association will use its special project funding to build a sports complex on Mitchell’s east side. Ed Epping, plant manager, said Lehigh Portland Cement Co. contributed to the fund because working together to build communities is included in the company’s vision. He also saw that the Mitchell community is in need of recreational activities for its youth.

“This is the first time ever all of the recreational activities are under the Mitchell Community Recreation Association umbrella,” Epping said. “That entity now has a $50,000 endowment and a $25,000 foundation match. The association will forever receive proceeds from the $75,000 endowment.” The sports complex will be built on property adjacent to Lehigh. The company entered into a 50-year lease for $1 with the Mitchell Community Recreation Association.

Lehigh also donated $21,000 worth of playground equipment to the association. Epping and two other engineers from the plant volunteered to survey ground for a new biddy field and a girls softball field as well.

Epping said. “I believe strongly in getting the youth to be productive, and right now there’s not a lot of things for kids to do in the summer here in Mitchell. I dream of a massive sports complex on the east side of town supported by people of Mitchell on Lehigh property that would give the youth every night an opportunity to play organized sports with adult supervision.”

Marlene Emery

Marlene Emery has established several endowment funds that give to charitable organizations in the community, supporting education, culture, health care and family.  Her charitable giving through the Lawrence County Community Foundation will continue to give financial support to community needs forever. 

Marlene’s philanthropy involves much more than money. It raises public awareness concerning community needs.  Emery was sold on the concept of a community foundation just three years after the idea got off the ground in Lawrence County . With $1,000 per fund, Emery established a variety of funds. Public awareness campaigns encouraged others to donate to those and other funds that were opening at the same time. Once funds reached a three-year average balance of $5,000 or more, grants may be made to those special interest projects several times per year – forever.

"You don't have to have a million dollars to establish funds or to donate to existing Lawrence County Community Foundation funds," Emery said. "With $1,000 now - instead of thinking you'll do something in the future – start a fund now and let it build. We've been very fortunate to have so many different people in the community willing to work and give their time and resources to the Foundation."

The first fund Emery opened was in memory of her parents Opal and Freeda Casada. Her mother, a homemaker, died in June 1983. Her father, a concrete mason, died in February 1993.

Another fund Emery founded was for seniors.  "Funds for the elderly are really needed," Emery said. "People tend to forget about the elderly. Establishing this fund made me aware of just how much you can do in that field. . . It has built awareness," she added. "It makes people think they can do something too."  The fund makes it possible for grants to be made as often as twice per year for projects that benefit Lawrence County 's senior citizens.

Emery continued creating funds, many of which support her adult children's widely different interests.  Emery's generosity also reaches out to Lawrence County families and to people with cultural interests. She established a fund in honor of her former mother-in-law, Joan Emery Prentiss, to help families caring for a terminally ill loved one.  She also opened the Mr. and Mrs. J. Grant Moore fund for cultural arts in memory of her friends.  With an interest in art herself, Emery initiated a fund for Indiana University students and another fund to support the IU Museum of Art. 

Emery said she opened the funds to support a wide array of community organizations because she felt a deep responsibility to give back to the community. She said her parents were great role models, having spent their lives helping people in quiet ways. Growing up in the Christian religion influenced her philanthropic philosophy.  "Giving is where you get the most joy," Emery said. "It's better to give than to receive."

There are many benefits in being a donor, according to Emery.  "It's so great while you are still alive to see these funds working and accomplishing things," she said. "It's a selfish thing too. It's really great to enjoy funds that are enabling groups to do things they aren't [otherwise] able to do or to reach more people they might not be able to reach and see it all growing while you are still alive. It's great satisfaction."

Emery's greatest satisfaction is watching the Limestone Girls Club fund grow and strengthen programs for local girls.  "My favorite fund isn't one of these," she said, referring to the funds she personally established. "It's the Girls Club. It's my real love. I think it will do so much for the girls in Bedford . I like all the funds. Each one is wonderful. But the one that means the most to me is the Girls Club. I think at this time, girls especially are under so many pressures, and they need a place to feel safe and to be with good role models and to receive opportunities where they can develop in sports, hobbies and reading. I feel a real commitment to that. The community has always had a good boys club program, and I think the girls deserve at least that much." 

Emery is a 1954 graduate of Bedford High School . She earned a degree from DePauw University in 1960. She is a former school teacher and has owned Fit for Life since it was founded in 1985.

Eugene & Marilyn Glick

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Foundation established a field of interest fund through the Lawrence County Community Foundation to provide support and maintenance programs and services for senior citizens in Bedford .  The earnings will be allocated to community projects that support the fund's purpose.

The fund was established in the year that Mr. and Mrs. Glick celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and the founding of the Gene B. Glick Company, 1997.

Gene and Marilyn Glick founded the company in 1947 in Indianapolis and, since that time, they have built more than 30,000 apartments and single-family homes. Glick is recognized nationally for his efforts in the construction and management of real estate housing developments.

The company also manages more than 20,000 apartment complexes in 12 states, including Cambridge Square Apartments in Bedford . It is one of the largest privately owned property management organizations in the country.

The Glicks established similar funds across the state in communities where they own property.

Kenneth Plummer, Jr.

Kenneth Plummer Jr. was involved in community service organizations for many years.  Several years ago he found another avenue to serve his community. The president of Day & Carter Mortuary donated stocks to the Lawrence County Community Foundation.

The stocks were sold and the proceeds were placed in a fund within the Community Foundation. The principal is never spent, but the interest will be paid to the Thornton Memorial Boys Club and the Limestone Girls Club to maintain services.

“I chose to donate the stocks to the two clubs because I was impressed with their sports programs,” Plummer said. “I was impressed with the variety of sports they offer and the amount of children who participate in them.”

Plummer said the money is earmarked to perpetuate the two youth programs and will not be spent toward their building projects.

“It was a way to return our blessing back to the community,” Plummer said. “Our great grandson, Jesse Plummer, will be 6 in January. He’s just at the age to start participating in sports at the Boys Club. Our donation will benefit him, too.”

In addition, Lilly Endowment provided a 50 percent match to Plummer’s contribution. Plummer, a lifelong resident of the county, started working at Day & Carter Mortuary when he was in high school. He graduated from Kansas State University and Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He also served during the Korean Conflict, returning to serve the Bedford community in 1956.

The businessman has served his community as a Bedford City Council member, past commander of Gillen Post 33 of the American Legion, past Exalted Ruler of Bedford Elks Lodge, and deacon of First Baptist Church in Bedford . He has been associated with youth activities through chairmanships in the American Legion.

Jerry Hill

Jerry Hill isn’t a native of Springville, but he cares about his community just the same. A public works employee at Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane, Hill is a firm believer in giving back to his community.

“You have to give your community something when you are doing good,” Hill said. Hill and several Springville residents renovated the old Springville High School gym. The goal was to create a community center where scout meetings, athletic activities and gatherings could take place. Hill was also actively involved on the executive council of Boy Scouts of America. When Lawrence County Community Foundation came up with the “Heritage Program” concept, Springville residents gladly jumped on the bandwagon.

The program is two-fold. One component encourages outlying communities to open permanent endowment funds and form a committee of residents to determine how the interest will be spent. The advisory board composed of Springville residents will determine which Springville organizations will receive future grant funds. A bonus, the community receives a $1,000 grant from Lawrence County Community Foundation’s unrestricted fund for community projects.

Hill donated money to establish a permanent endowment for the Springville community. “I was one of four charter donors,” Hill said. “We provided enough money to get it off the ground.” The principal is invested. When it reaches $5,000, interest earned is granted back to the community. “The foundation invests the money and it becomes a gift to the community forever,” Hill said. “I plan to add to it every year.”

Hill, who contributes significantly to community projects, said helping to establish a permanent endowment was a natural thing for him to do. “The money will stay in the community,” Hill said. “That’s the driver. Grants will be spent in the community.”

The process, Hill said, was simple. “Once you get it (the endowment fund) started, it perpetuates itself,” he said. “The Community Foundation helped a lot in getting it started. They prepare paperwork for you. They handle bookkeeping and investments. The only work for the committee is recommending where the money goes. It’s so easy,” Hill added. “I’ve got confidence that the investment will earn income and it keeps going. It’s a really good deal.”