North Salem United Methodist Church Receives Grant for HCCF 20th Anniversary Celebration

In celebration of 20 years of service to Hendricks County, the Hendricks County Community Foundation is presenting $1,000 grants to local nonprofits in  2016. These 20th Anniversary Board Engagement Grants allow each member of the HCCF Board of Directors to designate a Hendricks County nonprofit that is important to them and to Hendricks County.

The eleventh HCCF 20th Anniversary Grant was presented to North Salem United Methodist Church (NSUMC) on behalf of Board Member Judy Wyeth. Judy has had a long history with NSUMC, having attended services there since childhood. The church was founded in 1835, the year Hendricks County was organized, and moved to its current location in 1923.   In 1996, the church’s beautiful nineteenth century pipe organ was in dire need of repair.  The congregation was uncertain they could raise the large sum needed, so they turned to the Hendricks County Community Foundation and applied for a matching grant to raise the funds necessary for the repair.  Through hard work and various fundraising activities including church suppers and quilt projects, the church was able to raise the money needed.  Judy said, “This success was like a spark of faith that lit the fire of an entirely new positive way of thinking among the people.  Since that original grant from the Foundation almost 20 years ago, the church has raised the funds to renovate the basement, install a commercial kitchen, renovate the entire sanctuary, build a new parsonage and parking lot, and install a lift to make all three levels of the building completely handicap accessible. ”

The people of NSUMC have a strong commitment to community, and are actively involved in many local ministries, including a Bible school, food pantry, prison ministry, summer camps, “Trunk or Treat,” Christmas sharing trees, and a  “Rags to Riches” sewing program that makes warm fleece blankets for the Lebanon Children’s home.  Their largest outreach every year is the buffet breakfast they serve to over 1,000 people during Old Fashion Days in North Salem.

Judy selected NSUMC as her grant recipient to support their mission of meeting the needs of the residents of Hendricks County through their many community programs. Judy says, “The North Salem United Methodist Church truly has open minds, open hearts and open doors for everyone.  We recently learned that the console on our pipe organ is in need of replacement.  So once again, the grant from the Community Foundation will be an investment in our historic organ as well as in the music and ministries of NSUMC for many years to come.”

Thanks to generous donors and supporters, HCCF is celebrating 20 years of phenomenal work and partnerships within the community.  “Our 20 year anniversary is not only a time to celebrate the work we have been able to accomplish for the good of our community, but also an opportunity to thank those who have partnered with us over the years to help make Hendricks County a better place to live, work and play.  We are here for Hendricks County and we are here for good,” said William Rhodehamel, HCCF Executive Director.