The Community Foundation Alliance is proud to announce that Justin O’Connor has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Mark Kniese Scholarship. This year marks the 23rd year of the scholarship, with more than $65,000 awarded since its creation. This scholarship will support O’Connor with his studies in Biomedical Health Science at Purdue University. The Mark Kniese Scholarship was established by August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, a beloved former counselor at Camp Carson in Princeton. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional dedication and rapport with campers while exemplifying the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. O’Connor has been a part of Camp Carson since he was six years old, first as a camper and later as a staff member. “Camp holds a very special place in my heart… it's always been somewhere that I can leave behind my outside worries and focus on the present,” he said. “As a staff member, it has meant being able to experience what it feels like to truly spend the time bettering others instead of just yourself.” He credits his years at camp with inspiring his career path. “Because of camp, I'm able to stay grounded and remember that the reason I want to study medicine is to better the lives of those around me.” While applying for the scholarship, O’Connor reflected on the legacy of Mark Kniese. “He was someone who put the campers before himself and put his entire heart into the work that he did. As a counselor, I strove every day to follow in his footsteps and to carry on his legacy.” Now in its 23rd year, the Mark Kniese Scholarship continues to honor a counselor who served campers and made a difference in their lives. Through the generosity of those who contribute to this fund, the scholarship not only supports higher education but also inspires recipients to carry forward the spirit of service and compassion that defined Mark Kniese’s life.

After severe storms and tornadoes affected Gibson County this spring, a number of local organizations moved quickly to help families recover, providing supplies, shelter, and vital support services. With funding made possible through a Special Project grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation, these efforts reached even further. In total, $18,000 in grant funding was directed to groups assisting with immediate disaster response and infrastructure repair: $9,000 to the American Red Cross Southwest Indiana Chapter $1,500 to the Salvation Army Princeton $2,500 to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance $5,000 to the Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion, Inc. “As a board, we deliberately set aside funding for critical needs like this. We were glad to be in a position to provide aid at a time when folks needed it most,” said Matt Monroe, Gibson County Community Foundation County Advisory Board President. On the ground, these funds translated into real help, cleanup kits, health services, and storage supplies for impacted families, as well as gas for chainsaws and generators used in cleanup efforts. For some organizations, like the American Red Cross, the grant allowed them to offer direct financial assistance and continued emotional support. “The American Red Cross responds to disasters every eight minutes, providing shelter, emergency supplies, and emotional support to those impacted,” said Beth Sweeney, Executive Director of the Southwest Chapter of the Indiana Region. “On March 15, disaster workers with the Indiana Region were on the ground in Gibson County, assisting residents after severe weather by assessing damages, providing health and mental health services, financial assistance, cleanup kits, and information about recovery resources. The support of our donors and community partners, such as the Gibson County Community Foundation, enables the Red Cross to respond to disasters and help those who need it most," she added. In another part of the county, spring flooding had damaged critical infrastructure at the Gibson County Fairgrounds. A $5,000 grant supported the emergency replacement of a major drainage pipe, restoring road access and ensuring safety ahead of upcoming community events. "On behalf of the board of directors of The Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion Inc. and the Gibson County Fairground, I would like to thank [Gibson County Community Foundation] for awarding us with a $5,000 grant to assist in the replacement of a large culvert at the fairgrounds," said Charles Woodruff, President of the Gibson County Fair Board. "[Gibson County Community Foundation’s] generous support will ensure the safety and functionality of the fairgrounds. The replacement of the culvert is vital for the longevity of the infrastructure, and [their] contribution plays a crucial role in this significant improvement." The grants were made quietly, but with urgency. While the storms made headlines, it was the collaboration among local organizations and partners that made a lasting difference, focusing on what mattered most: helping neighbors recover and move forward.