Giving transforms lives. Explore our storybook to see how your gifts create positive change.
The log cabin was vacant, overgrown, and rotting in place slowly - or quickly- depending on each year’s water levels on the creek where it was built. When the creek was at its highest, the water inched up to the windowsills. Many looked at the cabin and saw a lost...
I’d like to introduce you to Lee and Gretchen Hanna. Lee and Gretchen lived most of their lives in Pendleton. Both worked for many years in Anderson’s factories. Lee later farmed full time. The couple attended Markleville North Christian Church and devoted free time...
December 11, 2017 Early this snowy morning, the Shoe Santa made his list and checked it twice. He enlisted a full crew of elves and invited them to Anderson’s Shoe Carnival in the quiet hour before the store opened to the public. One by one, children’s names,...
JoAnn Karaffa-Owens' life work has focused on her passions for continual learning. As a lifelong educator and former principal, JoAnn understands the importance of education in building strong communities and strong leaders. Whether it be through volunteering at...
Joe* and Tyler met in Drafting class, where they enjoyed talking about the Colts and Cubs and doing group projects. Drafting was the highlight of Joe's schedule that year, thanks to Tyler. Struggling with low self-esteem, Joe looked to Tyler's consistent faith and...
First, she realized her bird feeders were gone. Betty had looked out this kitchen window for seven decades, but she had never seen the neighbor’s house. Until ten minutes before, massive century-old trees shielded her view with shaded protection. The tornado had taken...
On Memorial Day of 2019, a tornado cut a path through Pendleton, damaging 500 homes and toppling many hudreds of trees throughout the historic district and Falls Park. In the days following, South Madison Community Foundation was instrumental in convening, hosting,...
Charlene Daugherty wasn't afraid to get a little dirty to make Pendleton green and pretty. Charlene's vision of seasonally delightful trees and riotous blossoms form the set on which life's moments play out for visitors to Falls Park. Charlene delighted in taking care...
As a child living on a farm halfway between Pendleton and Lapel during the Great Depression, Warren Huntzinger lived for the days his family would visit town. If they visited Pendleton, Warren could wade in the creek near the Falls and run free on the playground with...
Last week, one of the Foundation Board members and I volunteered for an event produced by our colleagues at United Way of Madison County. The job description for the volunteer post at Blast Off to Kindergarten had only one requirement: 'Must want to have fun!". We...