The following is a list of funds held by the HOPE Foundation:

Community Funds
HOPE Chest Unrestricted Fund. For the broadest community support, donors may contribute to this fund that provides grants where they are most needed in Darke County. At certain giving levels, donors may establish a personally named account that benefits local charities on a regular basis. The Board of Trustees of the HOPE Foundation reviews requests from non-profit organizations to determine where the income from these funds can best serve our community.

Friends of HOPE Fund. Donors to this fund help make more community grants possible by supporting the overall needs of the HOPE Foundation. Contributions go into HOPE’s general fund, then the Board of Trustees determines how the fund can best be used to sustain the foundation and strengthen its mission of enriching Darke County. Because of Friends of HOPE, the administrative fees charged to individual funds remain at a low level, making more money available for grants.

Ami McClurkin Community Fund. Following the establishment of the Ami McClurkin Scholarship Fund in 2006, Gini and Verd Stuckey of Greenville, devoted parents of Ami, established a new separate fund with the HOPE Foundation. This fund is to benefit any non-profit organization in the community and is given on Ami’s birthday, Sept 7. Ami resides in the Brethren’s Retirement Community as a quadriplegic, the result of an auto accident in 1985. Gini remarked, “If we can help someone feel better and enjoy life a little bit more through one of the many organizations that help people feel better and enjoy life more, then we’ve accomplished our goal with this fund in honor of Ami.” Ami is shown here with her family at her birthday party.

Permanent Non-Profit Endowments
Ella VanDyke St. Clair Home/Brethren Retirement Community Resident Aid Fund. In the 1920s, Ella Van Dyke St. Clair wanted to help citizens of Greenville who needed a place to live. In her will, she established the Ella Van Dyke St. Clair Home for the Aged, located on East Third Street in Greenville. Over time the intended use of the Home discontinued. The Probate Court granted permission to have the remaining assets transferred to the HOPE Foundation, with the income therefrom given to the BRC Resident Aid Fund, which provides housing assistance to those in need at the Brethren Retirement Community.

Darke Co. Humane Society/Beth Warner Fund. Upon her death in 1996, Beth Bolen Warner provided a bequest for the yearly earnings to be distributed to the Darke County Humane Society. Mrs. Warner was born in Union City, IN and resided in Darke County all of her life. She was married to Glenn Warner, who formerly served as the Clerk of Courts for Darke County for 24 years and preceded her in death in 1983. Mrs. Warner served as the organist at the Presbyterian Church.

Darke County United Way Endowment Account. This non-profit organization has partnered with the HOPE Foundation to establish a long-term investment opportunity that returns a gift to the United Way every year. As a major supporter of many social service agencies in Darke County, the needs of the UW are vast. At the discretion of the United Way Board of Directors, this non-profit uses its distribution to help meet annual needs or it reinvests the funds back into the HOPE Foundation for further growth.

Jean Louise Thieme Children’s Theatre Fund. A lifelong interest in and support for the arts led Jean Louise Thieme to establish a Children’s Theatre Fund in 1987 for the purpose of “assuring that the children of this rural county shall always have the opportunity to experience high quality professional programming.” Proceeds from this fund go to Darke County Center for the Arts to help sponsor children’s programs like “The Velveteen Rabbit” shown here. Jean Louise passed away in 2009 but leaves a legacy of community giving as one of Darke County’s most generous philanthropists.

Non-Profit Designated Funds
Low Vision Support Group for FAME (Financial Assistance for Medical Emergencies). In 2006, the members of the Low Vision Support Group donated funds upon their disbanding as an organization. The distributions from this fund benefit FAME (Financial Assistance for Medical Emergencies), which assists Darke County patients with vision needs. A donation of $1,000 is made annually to FAME until the account is depleted. Additional monies may be added to this fund to grow it to a permanent endowment level.

Permanent Scholarship Endowments
Ansonia Area Jaycees Scholarship. Upon disbanding, the Ansonia Area Jaycees desired to leave money in the community from which it was generated. The HOPE Foundation serves as the custodian of these remaining assets, which is used for scholarships to students graduating from Ansonia High School.

Velma and Merlin Applegate Scholarship. Velma and Merlin Applegate directed that the interest from their fund be used annually to award scholarships to Ansonia H.S. graduates. The couple graduated from Ansonia High School in 1940. In 1990, the 50th year after their graduation, they arranged for these scholarships as a way of saying "thank you" to the Ansonia community.

Louise Winbigler Bales Scholarship. Louise McKinney Winbigler was a newspaper heiress from Macon, Georgia. She married Goddard Winbigler from Ansonia, a brother of Pauline Winbigler. Louise shared memories of playing tennis on clay courts at Ansonia High School/Darke County Normal School. She was an ardent supporter of the Ansonia United Methodist Church. Louise chose to use the HOPE Foundation to support Ansonia H.S. graduates in their pursuit of higher education, and to honor her sister in-law, Pauline Winbigler Bales.

Pauline Winbigler Bales Trust Scholarship. "Miss Pauline" taught and served as High School Principal during her 27-year tenure at Ansonia. She attended college at the University of Cincinnati after graduating from Ansonia High School in 1915, and taught music in addition to other academic areas. Former students show their admiration and respect for "Miss Pauline" to this day. Pauline Winbigler married L.L. Bales and lived in the Ansonia Community. She lived in and supported her hometown and Ansonia School all of her life.

Tim Best/Ronnie Kreitzer Memorial Scholarship. Tim Best lost his life in an accident while attending Wright State University. Mr. & Mrs. Best established this fund for any boy or girl in Darke County who has participated in baseball, cross country, wresting, or dirt bike racing. Ronnie Kreitzer, a close friend, was instrumental in helping Mr. & Mrs. Best establish the Tim Best Memorial, and upon Ronnie Kreitzer’s death, the memorial was renamed the Tim Best/Ronnie Kreitzer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Irene Bolen Memorial Scholarship. Given by her daughter, Beth Bolen Warner, in memory of her mother, this scholarship is for the benefit of a student from Mississinawa Valley H.S. Mrs. Bolen was a teacher for many years before working at the Farmers State Bank in Union City.

Robert and Iris Bolen Memorial Scholarship. Robert and Iris Bolen grew up in the Union City area and wanted to enrich the life of a Mississinawa Valley student pursuing college. Before retirement, Robert Bolen operated insurance and real estate agencies in both Union City and Ansonia, while his wife was the Assistant Vice President of Union City Body Company. Upon establishing the fund in 2004, the Bolen’s commented, “Having no children and good jobs, and realizing what a good education means, we wanted to help someone else.”

Joyce Bruns Memorial Scholarship. Joyce Bruns, RN, BSN, was a dedicated nurse in Darke County who died in April 1998. She was an active board member of Hospice for 13 years and a proponent of Hospice among the nursing and medical community. She was a nurse at Wayne Hospital for 18 years before serving as director of nursing at the Versailles Healthcare Center. She became ill with brain cancer in 1997 having just completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Through her commitment of time and energy, plus the family support needed to earn her degree, she felt her continuing education expanded her views of nursing and made her a better person as she met the challenges of family, work, and school. Her dedication to the nursing profession will live on through this scholarship for nurses continuing their education.

C. Michael Crawford Outstanding Teacher Mentor of Darke County. Mike Crawford was a longtime employee of the Darke County Educational Service Center who left a legacy of support for educators and children in Darke County. Due to Mike’s foresight, Darke County had an established mentorship program for teachers a full ten years before the State of Ohio saw the benefit and mandated such a program for all Ohio schools. Established through contributions of his family and friends upon his sudden death in May 2002, this fund yearly recognizes, with a plaque and a stipend, an outstanding teacher mentor in Darke County in Mike’s name. In this way, the teachers of Darke County will continue to benefit from the life and work of this very special person.

Darke County Engineering & Sciences Scholarship. Establishing a scholarship for students interested in the study of engineering or the sciences was Denny and Shirla Neff’s goal in October 2007. Denny noted, “I wanted to contribute towards the establishment of this fund in the hopes that other people would add to it so that it could grow for the benefit of students.” Students may be pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree. Denny stated, “I have a lot of respect for engineers. It is a good discipline to study, and it can lead to entrepreneurial pursuits.” Denny had previously served as an original board member on the Dollars for Scholars Group, a scholarship program. Treaty Co. and the Neff Co., where Denny served as President, both had scholarships. Shirla served as an educator in the Greenville school system. Denny and Shirla wanted to do something for the community that would continue to grow.

Regina K. Delk Memorial Scholarship. Working as a teacher’s assistant at Anthony Wayne, Regina was also very involved with the Arcanum High School Band Boosters and the Senior High youth at the Castine Church of the Brethren. Those around her were touched by her life and faith in Christ. The family desired to establish a memorial in her honor to benefit students through a scholarship to a Christian college.

Mr. & Mrs. Howard (Eva) Fisher Scholarship. Howard & Eva Fisher lived west of Ft. Jefferson, where they were both involved in farming until they retired. They raised hogs, chickens, and dairy cattle. They also raised corn, hay, and oats for the livestock. Not having children of their own, but having a great interest in them, the Fishers realized that by giving to the HOPE Foundation, they would be able to help not one or two, but many young people, in getting started in their life’s work.

Kenneth & Virginia Flory Memorial Scholarship. The Florys left their entire estate for charity or scholarships. Marie Flory was born in Kentucky and moved to the Dayton area in the 1930s. Her husband, Kenneth, was raised in the Arcanum area. After marrying, their professions led them to Chicago. They retired in 1980 to Arcanum, where Kenneth died a year later. Marie was very community minded and a faithful church member. She served as a trustee of the Arcanum Public Library. Prior to her death, Marie asked that the HOPE Foundation use 40% of her estate for scholarships for graduates of Arcanum High.

Galen & Blanche Fourman Scholarship. Galen and Blanche (Olwine) Fourman, owners of Fourman’s Inc., a clothing store in downtown Greenville, were both graduates of Greenville High School and lifelong supporters of the community. The Fourmans were involved with the Eastern Star and were dedicated to the well-being of downtown Greenville. They established in their will that a percentage of their estate would go to the “Greenville Dollars for Scholars” program at Greenville High School. As the program is no longer in existence, their niece, Barbara Hole, and her family, were determined to carry out the Fourman’s intent and established this fund.

Kenneth J. Gibboney Scholarship. Mr.Gibboney lived in Bradford from the age of three until his death. He was a Navy veteran, a welder at Meteor Motors in Piqua, and an owner and operator of a small sawmill. Mr. Gibboney enjoyed life and wanted to assist Bradford students in their college education.

Greenville National Bank Scholarship for Ansonia Students. Several decades ago, the Citizens Bank of Ansonia made a donation toward a new medical facility in Ansonia. After its completion, the Ansonia Medical Center was sold and all donations were returned to the donors. Because Citizens Bank had become part of Greenville National Bank, GNB chose to leave money in the Ansonia community via a scholarship for an Ansonia High School graduate majoring in finance or accounting.

Greenville National Bank Scholarship for Darke County Students. In 2008, Greenville National Bank established a scholarship for graduates of any Darke County school majoring in finance or banking. Steve Burns, President of Greenville National Bank, noted, “We understand the importance of helping in the area of education and hope this will encourage students to pursue higher education and then relocate back to Darke County upon their graduation.”

Jeanie Hawley Memorial Scholarship. Jeanie Hawley wanted to make a difference. As a teacher at Greenville High School for twenty years, she loved the students and always wanted to help them. Jeff Hawley and his three children, Bob, Dan, and Tiffany, established this scholarship in loving memory. Jeff hopes that all of the scholarship recipients work hard as Jeanie would want them to do.

Eleanor J. Hughes Scholarship. Eleanor Hughes, born in 1917 in western Pennsylvania, was a resident there most of her life. She had a career with Bell Telephone and was also an accomplished seamstress and artist. After 52 years of marriage, her husband passed away and she relocated to Greenville to be near her sister, Ruth Osborne. It was during her 10 years of residency in Greenville and her strong belief in the value of formal education that she chose to use the HOPE Foundation as a vehicle to help high school graduates in the Darke County area. She passed away in 2003.

Fred Miltenberger Memorial Scholarship. Fred and Ruby Miltenberger lived on a farm in Montgomery County until 1937. They then moved to a home on N. Main St. in Arcanum until Fred died in 1988 and Ruby in 1990. An avid fisherman, Fred worked 45 years at General Motors in Dayton. Ruby also worked at General Motors for 40 years.

Virginia Nischwitz Scholarship. This fund was established to continue the legacy and dream of Miss Nischwitz to help worthy Darke County students with financial aid. The Four-Shra-Nish Foundation was established in 1970 by Virginia Nischwitz and her father, Lawrence Nischwitz. Mr. Nischwitz was a long-time fifth and sixth grade teacher in the Monroe building, now part of the Franklin-Monroe School District. In 2001, the Four-Shra-Nish Foundation transferred most of its assets to the HOPE Foundation. Other organizations that received Four-Shra-Nish assets -- Wayne Hospital, the Darke County YMCA, and the Pitsburg Church of the Brethren – all donated those assets to the HOPE Foundation.

Norton Family 4-H Scholarship. Miriam M. Norton, a former school teacher in the Bradford Schools, established the Norton Family 4-H Scholarship in June 2002. Being especially appreciative of the values held and leadership opportunities provided by the 4-H clubs of Darke County, Miriam wanted to promote the continuation of these 4-H activities by rewarding a scholarship to a 4-H member. In addition to having been a 4-H member in Darke County, the successful applicant must have projects completed and demonstrated leadership skills.

J.C. & Alice Schafer Scholarship. J.C. Schafer joined Second National Bank in 1943 following a merger with Farmers National Bank in Greenville. He served as Vice President and Loan Officer and remained on the Board of Directors of Second National until 1978. J.C. was a member of the Rotary Club in Greenville for nearly 50 years. J.C.’s wife, Alice, was an elementary school teacher. The couple lived on a small farm just north of Greenville during J.C.’s banking career. They spent their final years at the Brethren Retirement Community. J.C. and Alice bequeathed part of their estate to the HOPE Foundation to establish this fund, which provides scholarships to students like the one shown here.

Edwin, Mac and Marguerite Stoltz Memorial Scholarship. Edwin Stoltz was an athletic coach and teacher at Greenville High School from 1928 to 1942 and from 1947 to 1957. At one time he coached all four sports: football, basketball, baseball and track. His major academic area was mathematics; minor areas were English, French and History. He was a mathematics teacher at the time of his retirement in 1957. His brother, Mac, whose interest was in engineering, was called upon from time to time to substitute teach. Mac’s wife, Marquerite Bigler Stoltz, began her teaching career on Indian reservations from 1928 to 1937. She also taught English in Darke County schools. She was a lifetime student, having attended over 50 Elderhostels before her death in 1994.

J. Howard Trump Art Scholarship. Howard Trump was born October 18, 1916 on a farm 1-1/2 miles northeast of West Manchester, Ohio, just south of the Darke County line. After several moves, his family settled in Greenville when he was a freshman in high school. He graduated from Greenville H.S. in 1934. He began his career as a printer’s apprentice in 1934 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1961, after 14 years as superintendent of a printing company, he became a free-lance commercial artist, specializing mostly in illustration and design. He retired from commercial art in 1980 and devoted the rest of his life to his watercolors (numbering approximately 1,000) and golf. He was married to the love of his life, Pauline, for over 50 years when he passed away on August 29, 1986.

United Way/Ira James Troutwine Estate. Ira James Troutwine was a lifelong resident of Darke County, born in 1901 in Adams Township. He grew up in the country on Hollansburg-Sampson Rd. but lived in Arcanum most of his 84 years. Mr. Troutwine was President of Arcanum Federal Savings and Loan in Arcanum (now Second National Bank) for many years, had numerous farms around Darke County, and also was interested in community service. His original bequest was to the Darke County United Way, which transferred the funds to the HOPE Foundation for the creation of a perpetual endowment. Mr. Troutwine wanted to leave a legacy of good will to his lifelong friends of Darke County.

Paul C. & Helen D. Warner Memorial Fund. Helen always lived in Darke County and taught school for 35 years. One year she was an exchange teacher in Tasmania, Australia. She married Paul in 1957 when he was principal of the Greenville H.S. They did a lot of traveling together in the U.S.A. and in Europe. Helen retired to the Brethren Retirement Community, an “exceptionally nice place for spending one’s last years.”

Lori Michelle Williams Memorial Scholarship. The family of Lori Williams established this fund to perpetuate Lori’s memory. “Her bubbly personality, smile, laughter, energy, and love of life are some of the things we hope people will remember about her.” Lori, a graduate of Greenville High School, was very involved in school and community. She gave of herself to others through her volunteer work. She chose a career in nursing as an extension of her desire to help others when they need it the most. She was going to be a senior at the University of Cincinnati in nursing. Lori’s parent s commented that Lori always set goals and strived to achieve them. In endowing this scholarship, they hope to help others achieve the goals that Lori had set for herself.

Matt Wuebker Memorial Scholarship. Matt Wuebker aspired to a career in finance and law while a student at Ohio State University. His spirit of cooperation and dedication to the high school basketball program at Versailles awarded him with the “Mr. Team Award” which, along with scholastic success, is a prerequisite for receiving the “Matthew Wuebker Mr.Team Scholarship.”

Donor Advised Funds
Darke County Bar Association Scholarship. The Darke County Bar Association is in the midst of building their scholarship fund up to the level of an endowment. This account will provide funds for scholarships for local students who are attending law school. Occasionally as funds are available, the Bar Association offers a one-time scholarship through the HOPE Foundation.

Darke County Economic Development/Partnering for Progress Fund. This fund was established in 2009 to accept contributions for the Partnering for Progress initiative in Darke County. This new initiative is designed to facilitate the following: stimulate new investment and job creation; protect and support existing employment base; support the agricultural sector; support the education and training of existing and future workers; improve the quality of life for the residents of Darke County; encourage and foster entrepreneurship; strengthen and maintain the presence of existing business and industry throughout Darke County.

Lindsay Donadio Memorial Fund. This fund was established by Lindsay’s loving family after a tragic automobile accident on Sept. 14, 2007. Lindsay Rose Donadio was born May 1, 1987, the third daughter of Ray Donadio and Janell Claudy. She loved humor, desiring to make people laugh, and was passionate about life and vocal music. She loved to perform, sing and dance. In honoring her life, her father said, “If this scholarship (for students pursuing a career in the area of the performing arts) can assist one young person in pursuing his or her dreams and passions in life, then Lindsay’s spirit will be kept alive and her memory will be appropriately honored.” Her mother added, “Lindsay said that no matter what career she chose to pursue, more than anything she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Zachary Garbig Memorial Fund. Zachary was a fifth grader at Arcanum Elementary School when his congenital intestinal disease suddenly worsened. Zachary received a liver/small bowel transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on December 2, 1998. His parents, Phil and Karen, said, “He fought an extremely hard battle but passed from this earthly existence and gained eternal life on June 25, 1999.” His experience gave much needed knowledge to the medical professionals for future transplant recipients. Zachary’s family has established this fund to promote organ and tissue donor awareness, such as the highway billboard shown here. They believe we can make the best of an unfortunate situation by donating our organs and tissue and blessing someone else with health, hope and the promise of life.

William “Will” Robertson Memorial Fund. Will served as a patrol officer for the Versailles Police Department when he tragically lost his life in a motorcycle/car accident in 2003. His friends describe him as a man who was always willing to help others. Following his death, friends have raised funds for projects and programs with which William was and would be proud to be associated. They have raised funds for many projects including the Versailles Police Bike Safety Rodeo, Camp Bearable’s grief counseling camp for children and the Boy Scouts of America to name only a few.

Schipfer Family Scholarship for Versailles. This $1,500 scholarship is established by Marty and Dan Schipfer, Darke County residents. Marty was the school counselor at Versailles Elementary and Middle Schools for many years. The scholarship is for a Versailles H.S. graduate with a C grade point average or higher. The student must be seeking a technical/associate education which would entail a two-year course of study (any area) for completion. Financial need will not be considered. Preference is given to a Miami Valley Career Technology Center graduate. Marty noted, “We hope that it can be given to a student who isn’t necessarily beginning their post-secondary work. It may take some young people longer to finish a two-year program when they are also working full-time."

Shawn Stebbins Memorial Fund. Established by the loving widow of Shawn Stebbins, Tiffany Barnes Stebbins, and children, Brooke and Chase, this fund honors Shawn’s memory by helping to suppport organizations that were close to Shawn’s heart. This photo shows Tiffany and Chase presenting a check to help renovate the Swine Barn at the Darke County Fairgrounds. Shawn graduated from Greenville H.S. in 1994. He loved being outdoors and being involved in farming. He was a member of the Greenville Eagles and Darke County Farm Bureau. With his daughter, he was active in 4-H, Greenville Girls Softball and the Butterflies Junior Garden Club. Sadly, Shawn was killed on the job as a construction worker at the I-70/I75 project on July 9, 2007. Tiffany noted, “Shawn was a care-free, fun loving, family oriented man.”

Sarah Whittaker Memorial Scholarship. Following the very unexpected death of Sarah, her family, particularly her father Allen, has embarked on a mission to make something good and positive out of such a horrible tragedy. His mission is to teach students to keep life’s problems in proper perspective and to realize all things can be resolved. He feels that if his efforts can help just one child or family avoid a similar situation, then he has done his job. Sarah’s scholarship fund, established in her loving memory, is focused on assisting other Darke County students who desire to become teachers, as Sarah did.

Designated Scholarship Funds
Mandy Green Class of 2013 Fund. Jesse and Tammy Green established this fund in memory of their daughter, Mandy, to reflect and pay back the loving support Mandy received from her classmates and friends throughout her struggle with cancer. The fund will provide college scholarships to graduating seniors in the year 2013, with preference to students who attended Woodland Heights Elementary. This is the class with whom Mandy would have graduated from Greenville High School.

Ami McClurkin Scholarship. Honoring their daughter, Ami Michelle McClurkin, was the goal of Gini and Verd Stuckey of Greenville. These devoted parents of Ami established a scholarship fund to recognize their daughter’s past musical accomplishments and scholarships, while in turn helping other students go to college today. Ami was an accident victim in 1985 and is a quadriplegic resident at the Brethren Retirement Community’s (BRC) medical unit. The scholarship is designated for a graduate of Greenville H.S. who has been involved in the Marching Band.