When a donor is passionate about a certain cause, he or she might start a fund to support projects addressing challenges and making positive progress in that area. These are known as Field of Interest Funds.

The latest round of grants totaled $53,038. (Additional grants have been added since this post was first published.)

Helen and Jim Ewing Fund: $29,383.80

• Gleaners Food Bank received $4,393.80 to complete their request to stock the school-based pantries at Milroy Elementary and RCHS with fresh produce and shelf stable food. (An additional Community Grant covered their full request of $15,000.)

Why this grant matters: Food insecurity is on the rise, and 1,961 Rush County families rely on SNAP benefits, which are affected by the government shutdown. It’s hard to think of a need that’s more important right now.

• Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry (RCCA) received $10,000 to provide milk to those they serve.

Why this grant matters: Milk is a good source of calcium, protein, and many other beneficial nutrients. Milk costs about $4/gallon, so this support is budget-relieving for the pantry’s clients.

• Rushville Psi Iota Xi received $15,000 to purchase hearing aids for low-income seniors.

Why this grant matters: Hearing is vital to daily living. It helps us communicate basic needs and reduces social isolation. Studies have shown that a hearing difficulty can even lead to dementia in senior citizens. Since Medicare and Medicaid do not normally cover hearing aids (or only pay for one per person) hearing impairments affect low-income seniors greatly.

Music for Rush County Fund: Total Grants $2,494.44

• The mission of Rush County Chorale is to provide quality choral music to entertain, inspire, and educate the community. A $1,694 grant will sustain the operations of the Chorale.

Why this grant matters: Whether someone is on stage performing or in the audience listening, live music provides social connection, reduces stress, improves mood. and increases happiness.

• Luke Milner, music teacher at Rushville Elementary School (RES), received a $800.44 grant to purchase instruments. By adding “pitched” percussion instruments like xylophones, he hopes to help students improve their listening skills and let them have more creative, opportunities.

Why this grant matters: Research has shown that music education can positively impact academic performance by enhancing coordination, memory, and concentration. It builds social skills by boosting confidence, developing teamwork skills, and allows students to gain a sense of achievement and enhanced creativity to better understand and appreciate music.

Rita Yager Memorial Ag Grant Fund: $1,700

• Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry will offer 2 sessions of a hands-on canning and preservation course. Their grant will purchase supplies. Additionally, participants completing both classes in the course will receive a copy of the Ball Blue Book Guide to Canning and Preservation, a food mill, a utensil set, and a stock pot for personal use.

Why this grant matters: Participants will come away with valuable skills, helping them make the most of fresh produce year-round and fostering healthy eating habits. It can also help them reduce waste, save money, and have control over the ingredients in their food.

Rush County Education Fund: Total Grants $4,787

• Benjamin Rush Middle School (BRMS) teacher Vicki Baker will use a $1,100 grant to purchase a subscription to “My Short Answer,” an online writing platform that allows students to offer and receive peer feedback instantly and anonymously.

Why this grant matters: My Short Answer helps students improve their writing, accept and offer feedback, develop critical thinking skills, and work collaboratively in a way that keeps them engaged. An equally important outcome is the skills students build during the discussions that take place.

• Milroy Elementary PTO will use their $1,000 grant to continue the popular monthly “Donuts with Grown-ups” program for their 147 students. Each student invites a special adult in their life to have breakfast with them at no cost. Students love introducing their guests to their friends, teachers, principal, and other school staff. After breakfast, students, faculty, and guests are invited to attend the monthly Town Hall where successes and events are highlighted.

Why this grant matters: This program creates a welcoming and supportive environment, which can decrease stress and build a positive school community. It’s great bonding time for students and families and another way for them to stay connected to the school activities and announcements.

• RCHS Broadcasting teacher Amy Fox will use a $2,019.80 grant to purchase digital cameras for students enrolled in the dual credit “Principles of Digital Design Course.” They currently have just 8 cameras for 37 students! They learn photography basics and principles of digital design. They get hands-on experience in design theory, creative problem solving, and peer evaluation, They also create a digital portfolio.

Why this grant matters: Students earn college credits for successful completion of this course, saving them both time and money. With four more cameras, they can have more time to create photos and videos during class and without pressure to hurry.

• Lindsay Tillison and Amy Fox, RCHS staff overseeing the The Holcad yearbook, will use a $667.20 grant to take students to the Fall 2025 National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville, TN. 16 media students will attend to learn from professional journalists and professors. This hands-on experience will help students develop their writing, editing, photography, design, and leadership skills as they compete in contests and collaborate with students from across the country.

Why this grant matters: High school journalism teaches essential communication and media literacy skills, provides students with a platform for their voices, and fosters both critical thinking and civic engagement.

Kenneth and Charlotte Brashaber Teacher Enhancement Award: Total Grants: $3,600

• RCHS teachers Lindsay Tillison and Amy Fox both received a $1,800 grant for expenses toward their trip to the journalism convention listed above.

Alex Workman Memorial Fund: Total Grants: $5,015.51

• Rushville Elementary School (RES) teachers, Anna Jo Richards and Heather Grimmie will buy supplies to help their students stay focused and calm – $920.25 for sensory fidgets and $700 for larger sensory items.

RES has a number of students diagnosed with Autism, tendencies towards Autism, or other special needs. Many struggle with day-to-day expectations at home and school. One of their biggest challenges is being regulated enough physically, emotionally, and socially to participate in school routines.
Sensory fidgets are small toys that are quiet and usually held in one hand. They can help students self-regulate, focus, and reduce anxiety by addressing a nervous energy and a need for movement.

Larger sensory tools that can help students feel safe and supported include weighted vests (offer deep pressure input), bean bag chairs (safe, comforting space), balance discs (build core strength and stability), and body brushes (calming touch).

Why this grant matters: Tending to the physical and emotional well-being of students helps them feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.

• **NEW** RES teacher Erika Peggs will purchase 6 wobble stools for her kindergarten classroom with her grant of $295.26.

Why this grant matters: The subtle, constant movement of the stools allows students to channel fidgeting and excess energy in a contained way. This helps them stay
engaged and attentive. They’re quiet and do not distract others.

• **NEW** a BRMS student with autism will be able to participate in the Rock the Capital tour with his classmates. The $3,100 grant will cover transportation, lodging, and admission fees for him and his guardian.

Why this grant matters: This experience will enhance his social-emotional development and promote independence. It will help him develop social skills, manage sensory input, and practice adaptive behaviors in a real-world context to prepare him for greater participation and success within the community.

Rush County Youth Athletic Foundation Fund: $900.00

• Anthony Meek, Strength and Conditioning Coach at RCHS will use their grant toward the purchase of a beverage dispenser to provide post-workout nutrition to student athletes. The dispenser will hold cold, pre-mixed Critical Reload protein drink providing high-quality protein and carbohydrates.

Why this grant matters: Students are far more likely to consume the drink if it’s pre-mixed instead of relying on them to remember a reusable bottle and make it themselves. The beverage will improve recovery of muscle energy that day and aid in greater muscle repair/growth across weeks of training.

Robert & Gleela Baldwin Fund for Early Learning: $1,100

• The families of 2 Rush County students received grants to attend a Paths to Quality Level 3 or 4 preschool.

Molly Spaeth Fund for Transformation and Well-Being: $1,227.79

• Rush County Victims Assistance will use their grant for personal hygiene products, emergency household items, diapers, baby wipes, etc. for clients of their crisis shelter, Phoenix House.

Why this grant matters: Survivors of domestic abuse experience trauma from being controlled by their abusers. RCVA empowers their clients by providing safe shelter and supportive services so they and their families can start new lives free from abuse. By helping them with basic needs, they can focus on healing and living productive lives.

Ercell Bever, Jr. Memorial Fund: $1,144.23

• Carthage Police Department’s top priority is officer safety. This grant (along with a Community Grant for $6,630.23) will purchase new police radios and bullet proof vests.

Why this grant matters: New radios will improve communication between officers and bullet proof vests reduce fatalities from shots to the torso by 75%. Both items support officers so they can serve their community effectively.

Bob Priddy Sports Partner Fund: $1,700

• Twenty-one youth athletes received assistance with cheerleading, softball, wrestling and football fees.

Why this grant matters: Participation in sports helps kids improve their physical and mental health, social and life skills, and even academic performance.