30 Dec Orkis Recognized for Outstanding Philanthropic Contributions
North Judson native Cheryl Orkis was awarded the 2025 James R. Hardesty Leadership in Philanthropy Award during the Starke County Community Foundation’s annual Giving Tuesday event.
The SCCF presents this annual award to outstanding individuals and organizations who positively impact the community through philanthropic efforts.
SCCF Director of Development Jacque Ryan shared, “Cheryl’s generous spirit and caring heart make her a wonderful recipient for this award. Students she taught in kindergarten come up to her years later to share how having her as a teacher had a positive influence on them. She is truly an inspiration with all the ways she makes a difference through her kind words and intentional support.”
Orkis provided valuable insight alongside other early learning educators during the creation of the Starke County Preschool Scholarship Program. She served as SCCF Board president, fulfilled full terms on the Northern Indiana Community Foundation and Starke County Community Foundation boards and sat on the SCCF Scholarship Committee. She continues to participate in local grantmaking through the SCCF Grant Committee and Ambassadors Club.
When asked to reflect on what she loves most about her community in a previous board spotlight, Orkis stated, “Small town living is a good thing! Growing up in North Judson I was surrounded by family and friends who believed in a strong work ethic. As a youngster helping out at the firemen’s fish fry, weeding the cemetery, serving at church banquets, etcetera, was just a given!”
She continued, “Whether delivering newspapers during my late elementary-junior high years; making hamburgers and sodas at Pells Sweet Shop during my high school years, college breaks, and summers; it was instilled in me by my family, teachers, employers to work hard, do your best and serve others well.”
Orkis joins a long list of impactful recipients who have received this award which was established in 2015 to honor James “Jim” Hardesty’s legacy of giving back to Starke County.