Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor: Over 100 people attended the Night of Philanthropy Tuesday. Darcy Swon, at the podium, tell the stories and impact of giving in Hamilton County Tuesday night.

It was a night of philanthropy at its finest, as benefactors and donors, all invited guests joined together to learn more about what the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation– EHCF has done during the past year. But there were also the stories of those who want to do more, to give more.

Darcy Swon, Development Director for the foundation didn’t talk about money. Many know that one of the ways EHCF helps the communities in Hamilton County is by giving grants. Last month over $100,000 was distributed to 12 Hamilton County organizations that are working to make living here even better.

Swon shared stories of how philanthropy efforts are moving through EHCF. The stories:

Doug “Jake” Jacobson

The Doug “Jake Jacobson Legacy fund: Through EHCF, his widow Stacy, wanted to create something that captured what her husband was. Jacobson loved spending time outdoors, to hunt and fish, and wanted everyone to be able to experience it, young and old. Through the memorial gifts, and continued investments, a handicap-accessible electric lift hunting blind is being funded, with additional funds contributed from Whitetails Unlimited giving. Now youth and veterans can experience hunting in a safe environment. This fund also helps support the Walleye Restocking Project at Briggs Woods and events like Cops n Bobbers.

Richard Textor

Richard and Sandy Textor were fixtures in Hamilton County for many years. Richard served as the South Hamilton School District superintendent from 1970 until his retirement in 1996. . Known for his leadership, Dick was someone who worked quietly behind the scenes. He served his students, his staff and his community. The family wanted to establish a scholarship that would reflect that. A scholarship has been established through EHCF in his name for South Hamilton students who showed their leadership with integrity, those who would show up, and carry forward the same values Richard lived by.

The establishment of scholarship funds to honor a friend, a family members, a beloved mentor prompted three different scholarships that are now managed through EHCF.

Beverly Oppold Blessman-Whaley

After serving as a business education teacher/office education coordinator at Webster City High School for 27 years, Beverly died at the age of 69, leaving a legacy of compassion, positivity and dedication to the field of education. Her friends, family and colleagues together established a scholarship fund through EHCF to further the education of students in the future, to continue her legacy helping WCHS graduates.

Logan Baldwin:

When 16 year old Logan died from an accident when he was driving a farm tractor to school as a special “Drive your Tractor to School” day, the community grieved. The loss at such a young age was overwhelming. His father, Bill Baldwin saw the story about the Whaley scholarship, and wanted to establish something to honor Logan. They needed a partner to make it happen, and that partner was EHCF.

Dave Hilton

The students-athletes who wanted to honor him, as a beloved teacher and coach. They had already planned to rename the Lynx invitational to the Dave Hilton Classic, and were working to create a scholarship in his name, but didn’t know how to manage the funds. The Dave Hilton scholarship was created when reading the story about the Whaley scholarship. Not a memorial scholarship, this one is in honor of a living legacy in Webster City.

The tributes were powerful and as Swon talked about the ongoing efforts to impact other Hamilton County projects, the message was clear.

This foundation is truly working.

They are striving to help with healthcare, the feeding people in the southern part of Hamilton County. They are working to help create a county wide disaster recovery fund, that will be in place if and when it is needed in any Hamilton County community. They have played a role in bringing the Career Ag Academy to life.

The Foundation was formed in 2005, this was the 9th year of the Night of Philanthropy.

It’s mission is clear.

All the projects mentioned here, and others that are set up through EHCF are in a drop-down menu on their website www.EnhanceHamiltonCounty.org. Contributions to support these and other projects are always welcome.

It’s bringing the people, the money, the projects together to make Hamilton County a thriving, productive and caring place to live.