The Chair Declares: A place to call home
Published: June 7, 2023 by Steve Spencer, board chair
When I graduated from Indiana University, I began a 50-year passion for designing and manufacturing medical devices. My first assignment was Houston, TX, followed 15 months later by a move to Burbank, CA, and another move to Evanston, IL, two years later. I relocated my family 14 times in 19 years before finally returning to my home state of Indiana in 1992.
This nomadic lifestyle was not what I imagined after college. I had hoped to find a home where there was peace, quiet, good neighbors and where I could convince time to slow up so I could enjoy my family life. I found that when we moved to Johnson County.
In today’s chaotic world many people yearn for such a place to call home. There is something special about living in a small town near an agricultural area. We mark the seasons by fields of corn and soybeans, county fairs, weekend festivals, music and any excuse to eat good food at a new or old restaurant. How lucky are we to live in a county with good schools and churches and dedicated public servants, protecting citizens and our quality of life. So how did we get here, and how do we keep it going?
The celebration of Johnson County’s Bicentennial, launched March 8 at The Historic Artcraft Theatre, reminded us of how 500 people came together 200 years ago to make a difference in America’s expansion. In 1991 a similar citizen effort resulted in the founding of JCCF by people dedicated to expanding charitable opportunities for donors, grant recipients and residents of Johnson County. So how can you participate in Johnson County’s future growth for the next 100 years?
This year JCCF has launched a focused development strategy to answer that question. Led by Kim Kasting, VP of Development, and board member Dan Nicoson, you can create your own family legacy by connecting with a key cause, establishing your own fund, or contributing to the nearly $2 million in grants and scholarships distributed every year by JCCF. It’s easy to explore your options and understand how your charitable dollars could make a difference locally. To learn more contact Kim or Dan today.
