26 Feb Board Member Spotlight: Shirley Rippy
Question: How long have you volunteered with the Starke County Community Foundation?
Answer: I’ve been on the Starke County Community Foundation Board, and the Northern Indianan Community Foundation Board since 2018.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a board member?
A: I enjoy hearing of all the benefits the Community Foundation provides to the Starke, Fulton, and Miami Counties. It is a pleasure to sit with all the dedicated people at the quarterly meetings from the three counties and be a part of such a great board. I especially enjoy being a part of the Finance Committee using what I have learned as a Certified Public Accountant. This year I am on the Scholarship Committee; it has been great reading the essays of the applicants and seeing what motivates these young people.
Q: What is something you want people to know about the community foundation?
A: The Community Foundation has many different types of funds that support many different causes. There is something for everyone’s interest that you can invest in for a lasting gift to your community. Your dollars are invested wisely by the Board and continue to grow. You can even start a fund of your own or in the memory of a loved one.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: In my free time, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, felting, and all types of sewing hobbies. I also enjoy gardening and home canning. I am the Treasurer and volunteer at the Ken Craig Community Garden. I am currently teaching crochet to a group of homeschoolers. I am the current Secretary for the Yellowstone Trail Fest. I volunteer at my church; Saints Cyril and Methodius in North Judson teaching adults in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults program. Several of us give church tours of our Beautiful church on the Saturday before Father’s Day during the Mint Festival every year.
Q: What do you love most about your community?
A: My husband and I moved here in 2009 from Crown Point. We love the people of Starke County. We were accepted and welcomed into our community from day one. We also love the fact that we can make a difference in the community we live in. The rural life without all the hustle and bustle of Lake County is awesome and it is so very nice to be able to see the stars when we look up at the night sky.
