BRAZIL — The Wabash Valley Community Foundation has announced its Giving Circle, 100+ Women Who Care Clay County, has awarded over $200,000 to Clay County organizations with its most recent grant.
100+ Women Who Care Clay County is a philanthropic women’s group coordinated by the Clay County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. This group is designed to provide financial support for nonprofit organizations in Clay County while creating a sense of community.
Since 2015, over $200,000 has been granted to 24 organizations in Clay County. Each year, members commit to donating $500 per year of membership. The first $100 supports an endowment at the Community Foundation that will be used to serve future needs in the community. The remaining $400 is used to support four nonprofits selected by members at the quarterly meetings ($100 at each meeting).
The Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution was the organization selected to receive the first quarter grant of 2023 for $3,500. The donation will be used for the organization’s “No Veteran Without a Flag” project. The mission of the project is to identify every veteran buried in Clay County, Indiana, to ensure they are honored with a flag at their grave on appropriate holidays.
“The Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution is grateful for the wonderful generosity of 100+ Women Who Care,” said Linda Hohenstein, DAR Regent. “With the donation of $3,500, we can purchase flag holders to launch our “No Veteran Without a Flag” campaign in Clay County for the NSDAR America 250 National Program in celebration of our country’s 250th Anniversary.”
The first phase of the project is to identify all veterans buried in the 115 Clay County cemeteries and document their locations. A copy of the findings will be provided to the Clay County Genealogical Society and the local VFW to help volunteers with flag placement for Memorial Day each year once the project is complete. The second phase of the project is to purchase flag holders as funds are raised and place them at graves without military markers. The third and final phase of the project is to replace missing headstones for Civil War veterans buried in Clay County.
“It breaks our hearts to know there are veterans who do not receive a flag on their grave due to it not being marked,” said Leesa Nesty, 100+ Women Who Care member and co–chair of the “No Veteran Without a Flag” project. “All veterans are worthy of being recognized for their faithful service to our country.”
“It is a great honor that the 100+ Women Who Care believe in our project and are willing to donate $3,500 to purchase military markers to be placed at the gravesites of our American veterans,” echoed Leslee McDonald, co-chair. “This will help ensure every veteran buried in Clay County receives a flag on Memorial Day and is recognized for their sacrifices.”
100+ Women Who Care Clay County is comprised of community-minded individuals who pool their money four times per year and decide together how it should be distributed. This group offers social, educational and engagement opportunities, and helps provide a morethorough understanding of philanthropy and community needs.
The Community Foundation welcomes all interested parties to join as a guest at any of the 100+ Women Who Care Clay County quarterly meetings. For more information, please visit wvcf.org/giving-circles.
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. The Community Foundation enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the organizations and issues they care about – immediately or through their estate plans. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations may give to existing funds or establish a charitable fund at the Community Foundation by contributing a variety ofassets. For more information on the Community Foundation, please contact 812.232.2234 or visit www.wvcf.org.