2025 HACF GRANT RECIPIENTS

Seated in front row, l to r: Kate Broadhurst of Highland VFW, Barb Eberhart accepting on behalf of  L.U.N.C.H. Bunch,  Gail Holthaus of Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund, Caroline Giger of Highland Garden Club, Laura Wilken of Korte Recreation Center,  Angela Kim of Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library, Karen Barker of the Highland Historical Society, Susan Hooker of Highland Area Christian Service Ministry, Kathy Ripperda of Holly’s House of Hope, Tina Steibel of Hospice of Southern Illinois, Cindy Langston of St. Jacob Elementary School, Jessica Bracamotes of Marine Elementary, and Taylor Sheeley of Highland Chamber of Commerce.

Second row, l to r:  Jessika Korte of Pierron Improvement Club, Erin Cotto of Highland High School Dance Team, Linda Klaus of Highland Area Senior Citizens Club, Rev. Callistus Osiago of Immaculate Conception Church in Pierron, Brad Koehnemann of City of Highland Parks & Rec, Fr. Paul Kala of Missionary Society of St. Therese,  Beverly Kapp of St. Rose Elementary School, Erika Huelsmann of Highland Ambulance Service, Chris Straub of Highland Fire Department, Lalaine Pellman of St. Paul Catholic School, Chelsey Kantner of Highland Middle School Cheer Team, Tricia Blasdel of Relevant Pregnancy Options Center, and Pastor Nancy Brooks of Grantfork United Church of Christ Youth Group.

Third row, l to r: Jeff Hebrank, Foundation Grants Chairman; Holly Ayer of Highland High School Math Department, Makenzie Wilson of Hitz Memorial Home, Chief Carole Widman of the Highland Police Department, Rick Embry of The Highland Home,  Keith Schroeder of Heartland Community Chorus, and Melissa Molitor of Charles Gravius Memorial Library.

Fourth row, l to r: Boyd Rinderer of Hard Road Theatre Productions, Ken Klostermann representing the Highland Knights of Columbus, Elizabeth O’Dell of Highland Municipal Band, Dale Schmitt of Keystone Cemetery Association of St. Jacob, Cindy Geest of Highland Primary School, Kara Schulte of Highland Primary School, Connie Pellock of Highland Meals on Wheels,  and Suzanne Meyer of Highland Woman’s Club.

Back row, l to r: Emily Wilson of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Laura Mulcahy of Highland Band and Choir Boosters, Carol Porter of Busey Bank, Banquet Sponsor; Julie LaFrance of Highland Quilt Boxers, Mary Jackson accepting for Highland High School, and Zach Plocher of Highland High School Athletic Program.

Todd Zobrist of Highland-Pierron Fire Department, Mike Sutton, Superintendent of Highland Community Schools, and Lucas Haller of Grantfork Police Department were not present for the photo.  

2025 GRANT RECIPIENT TOTAL - $176,188

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City of Highland

  • $5,000.00
  • Nativity Scene for Christmas on the Square  
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                               

 Grantfork Police Department    

  • $1,662.31
  • Lexipol Software Program
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                            

 Grantfork UCC Youth Group

  • $300.00 
  • "A box of Heaven Sent from Home" College Gift boxes
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT    

                           

Gravius Memorial Library Marine

  • $1,000.00  
  • Upgrade Book Collection and Office Equipment
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                           

Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund                                         

  • $2,700.00
  • Youth Cardiac Screening
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


Hard Road Theatre Productions


  • $2.798.00
  • Computrer Upgrades to Support Light and Music
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                          

     

Heartland Community Chorus

 

  • $ 3,000.00
  • Season 13 Music
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT    


Highland Ambulance Service


  • $ 808.89
  • Pediatric ALS Bags
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

 Highland Area Christian Service Ministry

  • $  3,500.00
  • Plumbing Modifications & Upgrades
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

 Highland Area Senior Citizens Club

  • $625.00
  • Purchase assorted items needed for the Center
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                    

Highland Band and Choir Boosters

  • $3,800.00
  • "Wrap It Up" - Box Truck & Trailer Upgrades
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

 Highland Chamber of Commerce     

  • $2,504.64
  • A Solar Lighting Panel for "Welcome to Highland" Sign
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

Highland Fire Department

  • $5,439.00
  • Inflatable Fire Education House
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

Highland Garden Club

  • $500.00
  • Annual Flowers for Glik Park Gardens
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


Highland Garden Club


  • $249.35
  • Pet Waste Eliminator Station for Lila's Garden          
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

 Highland High School Athletic Program

  • $600.00
  • Free Lap Timing Chips             
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

Highland High School Dance Team

  • $2,500.00                  
  • Mobile Mirrors for Dance Team
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                 

Highland High School Math Department

  • $4,076.00
  • Two '75" Promethean Active Panels for the Classroom                                                             
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

Highland Historical Society

  • $1,000.00
  • Exterior Maintenance & Restoration of the Kaeser Park House  
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                        

Highland Home

  • $4,799.00
  • Replacement Riding Lawn Mower
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                  

Highland Meals on Wheels   

  • $10,000.00  
  • To Provide Meals for 10 Eligible Clients to ensure they receive the nutrition they need throughout the year.
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                        

Highland Middle School Cheer Team

  • $5,000.00
  • New Uniforms for HMS Cheer Team                                                
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT     

Highland Municipal Band

  • $5,500.00
  • "A Round of Applause for New Chairs" - New Chairs and Move & Storage Carts                                                 
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT     

Highland-Pierron Fire Department

  • $1,578.00
  • Rope Rescue Equipment                                                
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT 

Highland Police Department

  • $1,946.32
  • "Fatal Vision" Training Program for Young Drivers.   
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT

Highland Primary School

  • $5,212.78
  • Picnic Tables for Outdoor Learning & Dining
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT 

                                                         

Highland Primary School


  • $509.64
  • Boogie Board Rewriteable Tablets for their "Cleaner Way to Learn" Project     
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                        

Highland Quilt Boxers

  • $1,050.00
  • 10 Veterans Quilts of Valor
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                                   

Highland Woman's Club

  • $1,833.40
  • Level 1 " Fundations" Readers and Vintage Games for "Back to Basics for Work & Play for First Graders
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT   

         

Hitz Memorial Home


  • $1,100.00
  • Replacement of two CNA Kiosk Stations  
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                


Holly's House of Hope


  • $2,351.98
  • Washer /DRyer Upgrade 
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                      


Hospice of Southern Illinois


  • $1,000.00
  • Lunch & Learn Program on Dementia & Related Issues
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT             

Immaculate Conception Church, Pierron

  • $500.00
  • New Locks to Re-Key Immaculate Conception Parish
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                                       


L.U.N.C.H. Bunch Program


  • $2,500.00
  • 2026 Summer Lunch Program
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                          


Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library


  • $2,000.00
  • Large Screen TV and Soundbar in the Community Room  .
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT                                                     


Marine Elementary School


  • $934.00
  • “Unplug & Play" Project - Interactive and Physically Engaging Games for Indoor Recess.
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT 


Pierron Improvement Club


                   

  • $3,500.00
  • “Replacement of Restroom Doors at PIC Park..
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


Relevant Pregnancy Options Center

 

  • $2,100.00
  • Furniture Replacement (10 chairs & 2 tables)
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


St. Jacob Elementary School


  • $425.00
  • Classic Board Games w/Storage Bins for "Bridges" Program
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


St. Paul Catholic School



  • $5,010.00
  • Virtual Reality Space Curriculum emphasizing STEM concepts and critical thinking skills.
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


St. Rose Elementary School


  • $2,274.80
  • Classroom Whiteboards
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


VFW Post #5694, Highland


  • $7,800.00
  • Two ADA Door Operators
  • GRANT FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT


SPECIFIED FUNDS

Highland Area Community Foundation Operations

  • $600.00
  • Used to benefit operations of the Foundation    
  • BILL AND JOAN SACKETT FAMILY FUND 


Highland Area Community Foundation Operations                                             

  • $500.00
  • Used to benefit operations of the Foundation   
  • BRADFORD NATIONAL BANK FUND    


Highland Area Community Foundation Operations                                             

  • $400.00
  • Used to benefit operations of the Foundation   
  • ANNA LEE & CLINTON H. ROGIER MEMORIAL FUND                       

 2025 recipient -Alivia Knebel

  • $500.00
  • To provide scholarships for mothers seeking higher education         

            or training.  $650.00 held for 2026 per donor

  • . HIGHLAND CIVIC WOMAN'S CLUB GERALYN REHKEMPER MEMORIAL FUND


Highland Garden Club


  • $250.00
  • To be used for maintenance & enhancement of Lila’s Garden   
  •  RITA AND BOB HARDY CITY BEAUTIFICATION FUND   

2025 recipient - Celia Beckemeyer

  • $1,500.00
  • To provide scholarship grants for graduating seniors of             

Highland High School, Highland Illinois  

  • HIGHLAND LIONS CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND


Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.


  • $450.00
  • To benefit the Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. for services provided in the Foundation's geographic area.   
  • NAN CARPENTER MEMORIAL DESIGNATED FUND                           


Knights of Columbus Council #1580


  • $600.00
  • To benefit the charitable giving programs of the Highland KC's.
  • KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #1580 CHARITABLE GIVING FUND

 Korte Recreation Center

  • $33,000.00
  • To benefit the operations of the Korte Recreation Center.
  • RECREATION CENTER OPERATIONS FUND     


Korte Recreation Center


  • $850.00
  • To provide non-sports programs administered by the Highland Parks & Recreation Department
  • EDGAR & DORRIS HALLER MEMORIAL FUND


KORTE RECREATION CENTER


  • $300.00
  • To provide water safety training & water therapy.
  • HAMLIN WATER SAFETY FUND

Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library   

  • $250.00
  • To be used for general library purposes
  •  RUTH & LELAND STEINER FUND IN MEMORY OF MILDA & CHARLES CASPER                                                                                                                               


Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library


  • $500.00
  • To be used for technology purposed to benefit the library
  • EUNICE l. & VICTOR H. KOCH TECHNOLOGY FUND


Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library


  • $500.00
  • To benefit the needs of the library
  • JAY W. & CATHERINE BOULANGER LOUIS LATZER MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT FUND

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             T2025 recipient - to be determined


  • $250.00
  • Will be used to provide scholarships and /or educational assistance for second year or above Criminal Justice students or scholarhships and/or specialized law enforcement training for existing law enforcement officers.
  • BILL AND PEG PIERCE POLICE EDUCATION FUND

Relevant Pregnancy Options Center

  • $600.00
  • Used to benefit various client programs
  • GLORIA LOEBEL FUND


Relevant Pregnancy Options Center


  • $ 200.00
  • Used to benefit various client programs
  • WICK CHARITABLE FUND IN MEMORY OF MARTIN WICK


Dwight and Carol Rogier Fund

2025 Recipient – August Rottman - $ 2,550.00

Books/Technology to support curriculum Grades K-6 -$ 2,550.00

 -Used to provide scholarships for future teachers (K-12) from

HCUSD#5, and to provide books and technology to support

the curriculum in Grades K-6.

-DWIGHT AND CAROL ROGIER FUND


St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland


  • $1,300.00
  • To provide needed assistance and medical programs 
  • NAN CARPENTER DONOR ADVISED FUND


St. Joseph's Hospital, Highland


  • $250.00
  • To benefit operations of the hospital 
  • CLINTON "PETE" KERIN ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL FUND


St. Paul Catholic School

  • $2,20.00
  • Used for Music & Technology programs
  • JAMES A. APKEN ST. PAUL MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY FUND


Highland Community Schools Libraries

  • $1,200.00
  • To provide scholarships for future teachers and school           

administrators from HCUSD#5 and to provide materials

to enhance the joy of reading in children

  • 2025 Recipient – Kylee Brown     
  • PATSY SCHWARM EDUCATION FUND


Highland Historical Society


  •   $1,200.00
  •   To benefit various organizations on a rotating basis
  •   MARGYE LIEBLER BAUMGARDNER FUND

                                       

 2025 Recipient – Kylie Marti                                                                        

  • $1,000.00
  • To provide scholarships for graduating 8th grade student

parishioners of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, Highland,

IL to attend Father McGivney High School 

  • UDELL & CECELIA HARRIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP                         

                                                     

2025 Recipient – Sayde Hogg 

  • $200.00
  • To provide scholarships for graduating Highland High School

seniors.       

  • R. GUY MICHAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

                                               

2025 Recipients – $950.00 Ellis Kampwerth (Engineering)                             

 $ 950.00 Alyson Pace (Nursing)

  • $1,900.00   
  • To provide scholarships to Highland High School graduating

seniors pursuing a degree in engineering (1) and nursing (1)

  • CARL AND KATHLEEN (IBERG) ERNST SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Missionary Society of St. Therese

  • $1,900.00
  • Benefits the Missionary Society of St. Therese     
  • HEBRANK FAMILY FUND                           

Keystone Cemetery Association

  • $1,900.00
  • Benefits Keystone cemetery Association, St. Jacob
  • MARLIN FOHNE CHARITABLE FUND


2023 Recipients –$1.200.00, Makayla Cook (Nursing) 

$1,200.00 Jordan Hetley(Science)                                     

  • $2,400.00
  • To provide scholarships for HHS graduating seniors pursing a

degree in Nursing (1) and the Sciences (1). 

  • HERMAN & MARGARET "MAGGIE" LOUER SCHOLARSHIP

Highland Fine Arts Department

  • $250.00
  • To benefit Fine Arts Program at HHS

Jay W. & Catherine T. Boulanger HHS Fine Arts Benefit Fund

  • JAY W. & CATHERINE T. BOULANGER HHS FINE ARTS BENEFIT FUND


Highland High School

Jay W. & Catherine T. Boulanger Charitable Fund in Memory of Jon W. Boulanger

  • $700.00
  • To benefit the Band, Math, and Science Departments of HHS 
  • JAY W. & CATHERINE BOULANGER CHARITABLE FUND IN MEMORY OF JON W. BOULANGER              


                                            Total Awarded                      $65,200.00

 

OTHER GRANTS GIVEN THROUGH PASS THROUGH FUNDS

St.Paul Outreach                 

  • $1,000.00
  • Benefits St. Paul Outreach
  • PETE & JANE KORTE ST. PAUL OUTREACH PASS THROUGH FUND