TERRE HAUTE —
Because of the generosity of four long-ago leaders in Terre Haute, some at-risk children today can participate in extra-curricular activities that they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Thanks to a check from Trust Services at First Financial Bank on Wednesday, the CASA Kids Program can better afford to provide tuition for enrichment activities such as tumbling classes and athletic fees for children in Vigo County’s foster care program.
“It’s a very neat feeling to help a child who wants to play, but doesn’t have the funding,” said Vigo County CASA Director Nikki Fuhrmeister.
More than $120,000 in funds from trusts established by past local leaders have been distributed to 51 nonprofit organizations by First Financial Bank.
The trusts were established by four prominent Terre Haute citizens:
• Oscar Baur, who led the Terre Haute Brewing Company.
• Frederick R. Benson, who moved to Terre Haute later in life and was involved in various civic organizations.
• Mary Smith Young, who died in 1949 after years of dedication to disadvantaged people in the Wabash Valley.
• Sheldon Swope, who enlisted as a young man in the 14th Indiana Regiment at Camp Vigo during the Civil War, and who settled in Terre Haute after the war and later set aside funds for the establishment of a public art gallery.
Cary W. Sparks of First Financial’s Trust Services department said the foresight and planning by those four citizens has benefited many organizations through the years.
“We try to do as much as we can for as many as we can,” Sparks said of the annual disbursement of the trust funds. While the more than $120,000 handed out on Wednesday is a bit less than has been distributed in past years due to economic changes, the funds are much needed by the agencies who submitted their requests.
For instance, CASA Kids accepts donations from various organizations to provide assistance to the children in the program, said Fuhrmeister. She accepted the trust funds Wednesday accompanied by CASA staff member Tim Taylor, who wrote the application for the trust money.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteers who give a voice to Children In Need of Services, who have been removed from their homes due to any type of neglect or abuse. Those children are often financially at risk as well as physically, mentally or sexually abused or emotionally or medically neglected.
In the past year, one area high school student received $180 from CASA Kids to purchase a uniform and shoes to play basketball for a school team, Fuhrmeister said as an example. Other children have received financial assistance to attend daycare or preschool, or for other programming activities.
“It gives children self-esteem-building opportunities,” Fuhrmeister said of helping at-risk children to participate in the same activities that other children enjoy.
In 2011, CASA served 320 children, which is about 20 more children than the previous year. Fuhrmeister said that 35 children are on the waiting list to receive an advocate, so more volunteers are needed for the program.
Charitable organizations may apply for the trust funds by contacting Trust Services at First Financial Bank in Terre Haute. Written requests for funding should be received by Nov. 15 of each year, and should explain why funds are being requested, and how they will be used.
Also during Wednesday morning’s event, First Financial Corp. announced the 2011 contribution to area United Way campaigns. More than $88,875 in corporate and employee pledges and contributions were donated to benefit United Way organizations in many of the counties served by First Financial affiliates.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
CASA kids among many receiving funds from trust
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Car pinned under school bus in Greene County crash
Police say a car plowed into the back of a school bus stopped on a southern Indiana highway, with the car’s entire engine compartment ending up lodged underneath the bus.
-
Grrrr-ateful for donation
K-9 Officers Jasper, Luka, Diesel and Carón didn’t like the snarls and growls coming from a “burglar” on Monday morning at Sarah Scott Middle School.
-
After possible TB case, school faces health tests
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted health authorities to provide free TB testing next Tuesday for students and staff at the eastside Terre Haute school.
-
Fallen Officer Long gains largest THPD honors
Officer Brent Long, who died last summer in the line of duty, was named Terre Haute Police Officer of the Year at Monday night’s THPD Recognition and Commendation dinner.
-
1,261.5 Miles Per Gallon
A Terre Haute South Vigo High School team earned first place in the “unlimited class” category during the 17th Super Mileage Challenge April 30 in Indianapolis.
-
Arson suspected in Collett Park restroom fire
Investigation continues into a fire believed to be arson in a restroom building early Sunday at Collett Park on the city’s north side.
-
Garfield Towers fire cause still under study
No new information has surfaced in the investigation of last week’s fire at Garfield Towers that temporarily displaced about 200 residents of the 152-unit building.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 22, 2012
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, based on jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Vigo County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
VIDEO: Suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted free testing next week for students and staff at the east side Terre Haute school. Testing is not mandatory and parental permission is required for students.
-
GOP's Pence chooses Sue Ellspermann as running mate
Republican nominee for Governor Mike Pence this morning introduced Sue Ellspermann as his running mate at a rally in her hometown of Ferdinand.
-
With a family history of racing, young Cruz in control
Every mother knows you can’t wash the smell of gasoline out of a kid’s genes.
-
Relay keeps fight vs. cancer on the move
Cancer never sleeps, nor does the fight against its spread.
-
Blessing offers a faith-based form of travelers’ insurance
Members of a local parish hope to have angels driving alongside them this summer.
- RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: May 21, 2012
-
Arson suspected in fire in Collett Park restroom
An early morning fire inCollett Park has been ruled arson and an investigation is under way.
-
Water Works: Walking trails, observation gazebo and more coming to the banks of the Wabash River
Walking trails and an observation gazebo are among projects under way for the Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area east of West Terre Haute.
-
300 kids enter the business world
Hundreds of local youth found the sunshine a little sweeter Saturday, selling lemonade from stands throughout town.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Can one single voter make a difference?
In a recent column, I posed a question about why only 19 percent of Indiana’s 4 million voters cast a ballot in the May primary election. I promised not to chastise anyone who would ’fess up to not voting.
-
Terre Haute NAACP to elect delegates for convention
The Greater Terre Haute NAACP will be hosting its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Vigo County public Library, lower level.
-
Lunch with Heroes: Wabash Valley Red Cross honors three people, hears from survivor of ‘Miracle on the Hudson’
When Dave Sanderson found himself falling into the Hudson River along with 154 other people, he joined an elite group of survivors with an amazing story to tell.
-
Mussel Up: Official looks for presence of mussels as indicator of river’s health
The roar of an air boat’s engine is muffled only by ear coverings as Joe Hoopingarner steers his watercraft along at 35 miles per hour on a sunny afternoon.
-
Warriors against Wegener’s: Clay County residents team up to battle rare disease, help one of their own
Lecia Brown thought it was just an ear infection at first.
-
Union backers continue effort to organize Great Dane
Union supporters said they’re undeterred in their effort to organize the Great Dane Trailers plant in Brazil.
-
Sellout crowd packs Terre Haute church to see Sidewalk Prophets
A sellout crowd of more than 1,400 packed Maryland Community Church on Saturday night to hear a trio of nationally seasoned acts, including Terre Haute's Justin Hoeppner and Nashville-based artist Josh Wilson.
-
Mayor learning firsthand about dealing with mortgage foreclosure
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett is facing a civil lawsuit seeking to foreclose on his eastside home.
-
Recovering from scary fire
A cause for a Thursday evening fire at Garfield Towers that displaced residents and sent several to hospitals may not be determined until late Monday, investigators said. Meanwhile, most residents of the 152-unit building were allowed to return home Friday afternoon.
-
As of now, TH postal center still to close
The Terre Haute mail processing operation on Margaret Avenue would close next January, according to information provided to the American Postal Workers Union in Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon.
-
South teen finds success in world of science fairs
Priya Kirtley is just 14 years old, but her science research project — as well as her enthusiasm — has drawn attention at a prestigious international science fair.
-
No identifications yet on 2 fatality victims
The identities of two victims of a fatal Interstate 70 crash Wednesday were still unknown Friday evening.
-
Fire hits motel office near Brazil I-70 exit
A hotel fire stalled traffic near the intersection of Indiana 42 at 59 Friday afternoon.
The ash and rubble remained smoking at 3 p.m., as firefighters continued pouring water on the Knights Inn, where a fire occurred in the office building about 1 p.m. - More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Car pinned under school bus in Greene County crash
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Raw Video: Dramatic 270-Foot Waterfall Rescue
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
4 Arrested After Man's Beating at Dodger Stadium
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
NATO: Afghan Exit 'Irreversible'
Catholic Groups Sue Over Contraception Mandate
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Gay Rights Activist OK With Rutgers Sentence
Tiger's Ex-Wife Bares Her Bod
Obama: NATO 'Unified' on Afghan Exit Plan
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
VIDEO | Zoo Chimp Charges Children
Howard Stern Makes Kid Cry on AGT
Child locked in washing machine after father put him there
Ashley Olsen is a Bikini Babe
Fired for being 'too hot'
Music downloader owes nearly $700K in fines
'Part of Me' Details 'Bumpy' Marriage, Says Katy
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
"House" Says Farewell After 8 Seasons
Swingers: Hooking Up With Strangers
Donald Driver Goes Country
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Bar Takes It Off For Maxim
Kardashian Sisters Pose in Lingerie
Man ties himself to trees to get anonymous sex
Gosselin Wants New Reality Show
Manning on Target at First Practice
