Celebrating the Gene A. Daiber Pass Through and Designated Funds June 11, 2025 EvUCC Church – Highland, IL On June 11, 2025, at the EvUCC Church—where the L.U.N.C.H. Bunch 2025 prepares daily lunches for local children—the Highland Area Community Foundation (HACF) proudly hosted a special presentation to honor and celebrate the establishment of two generous charitable funds: the Gene A. Daiber Pass Through Fund and the Gene A. Daiber Designated Fund. These funds, were created at the foundation on February 11, 2025, reflect the Daiber family's deep commitment to supporting and nourishing our community for generations to come. Fund #1: Gene A. Daiber Pass Through Fund Total Gift: $50,000 This fund has been established to provide immediate, direct support to local food assistance programs. In accordance with the fund agreement, it will distribute $3,333.33 annually over five years to each of the following vital community programs: • Meals on Wheels • Highland Area Christian Services Ministry (HACSM) • The L.U.N.C.H. Bunch Summer Program These funds ensure critical food support reaches our neighbors who need it most. Fund #2: Gene A. Daiber Designated Fund Total Gift: $50,000 This second gift creates a permanent endowment that will support HACF’s general grants program. Through this lasting legacy, the Daiber family's generosity will continue to benefit the community far into the future by funding a wide range of local initiatives and needs. As Lillian Daiber shared, it was—and remains—her heartfelt hope that these gifts will nourish and uplift the very communities that gave so much to her family. Lillian and Gene Daiber were lifelong residents of the Highland and Marine areas. They grew up here, went to school here, farmed the land, raised a family, and built a life rooted in care for others. Like generations of farmers before them, they helped feed the community—and now, through these gifts, that legacy continues. Today, we are proud to award support to three outstanding organizations that embody the mission of feeding and serving others: • Meals on Wheels Represented by President Tom Campbell • Highland Area Christian Services Ministry (HACSM) Represented by Diane Williams • The L.U.N.C.H. Bunch Program Represented by Missy and Matt Loyet Representing the Daiber family today: • Lillian L. (née Steiner) Daiber, Marine, IL – Wife of Gene • Barbara S. (Thomas) Eberhart, Highland, IL – Daughter (was not able to attend) • Sandra J. (Michael) Leitschuh, Highland, IL – Daughter • Ellen M. (Victor) Mitchell, Highland, IL – Daughter • Carla A. (Mikeiel) Muniz, Marine, IL – Daughter We are deeply grateful for the Daiber family’s vision, compassion, and enduring love for this community. May these gifts stand as a lasting tribute to the power of giving back—and to the enduring legacy of Gene A. Daiber. May they continue to inspire, nourish, and unite us all in the spirit of community and care.

The Highland Area Community Foundation is currently seeking applicants for its 2025 grant awards. Grants are awarded for not-for-profit purposes to organizations or groups that provide community services within the Highland Community Unit School District, St. Jacob and Marine townships, and St. Rose Township. Since its beginning in 1996, the Foundation’s Grant Program has come a long way. In its first year, three grants were awarded totaling $1,500.00; and in 2024, 78 grants were awarded totaling $119,850. In the last 29 years, a total of $1.4 million has been awarded in grants benefiting 100 plus various groups in the Foundation’s service area. The Foundation seeks to make grant awards in response to current and emerging needs or gaps in needed services and to strengthen volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community concerns. Grant applications may be obtained from the Highland Area Community Foundation at 1216 Main Street, Highland, by calling 618/654-4727, emailing info@hacf.org, or downloading from the Foundation’s website, www.hacf.org. Specific criteria are listed on the grant application form. Deadline for submittal is June 30.

Girl Scouts Troop 342 Pickleball Court Project for Spindler Park Needs Help from the Community to Reach their Goal Paige & Lexi Lauth, Cadettes with Girl Scout Troop 342, started a Silver Award Project as their service project to raise awareness of the new pickleball courts coming to Spindler Park. They kicked off their fundraising campaign this summer and have partnered with the City of Highland and the Highland Area Community Foundation to accept funds for the Girl Scout Pickleball Court Project at Spindler Park. Their goal is to raise community awareness to help the city raise $27,500.00. These funds will be used for painting and striping the new pickleball courts. The balance of the money for the pickleball courts will be from grants applied for by the City of Highland Recreation Department. The girls are off to a great start and have raised over $19,000.00 to date but need more support from the community to reach their goal. The girls would like to thank the Highland community for all their support so far. If you would like to help these hard-working Girl Scouts, please continue to spread the awareness about this incredible project! They are very excited to see this project continue to flourish, and the Pickleball Courts become a reality! To make a tax-exempt donation to this project, please use one of the following methods: Method #1: Direct mail to the Highland Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 571, Highland, IL 62249 Make Checks Payable: HACF / Pickleball Courts Method #2: Online PayPal donations can be accepted by the Highland Area Community Foundation using the Website Donation Page: http://www.hacf.org/hacf_donate City of Highland All Abilities Playground/Park Pass Through Fund (for Pickleball Courts) This pass through fund was established December 19, 2017 to provide for construction, purchase of various playground equipment, etc. for an all-abilities playground/park. Method #3: Online PayPal donations can be accepted by the Highland Area Community Foundation using the QR Code above.

HACF AWARDS $119,850 IN GRANTS The Highland Area Community Foundation held its 29th Grants Banquet on October 10, 2024, at the Lindendale Park Ballroom in Highland with 175 in attendance. Jim Burgett, Past President of the Foundation, served as emcee for the evening. Grants totaling $119,850 were announced by the Foundation grants committee at this year’s banquet which was sponsored by Busey Bank. This year’s grants bring the total of Foundation grants awarded in the last 29 years to $1.4 million benefitting 100 plus various groups. Of the 77 grants awarded this year, $70,150 went to 41 community groups and schools from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds, and $49,700 went to various community organizations and schools, the Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library, the City of Highland, and local scholarships from 31 specified funds. Grants Committee Chair Jeff Hebrank announced grant recipients with grants going to a variety of Highland area organizations serving the less fortunate, youth, senior citizens, the arts, Highland history, sports, and various other community needs in our service area. Foundation President Bonnie Gelly recognized retiring directors Shari Ammann, Shirley Bellm, Scott Geest, Jeff Hebrank, and Todd Imming for their service and dedication to the Foundation. All five have served on the Board of Directors for two three-terms. Jeff will continue to serve on the board of directors as legal counsel. Gelly thanked those in attendance for coming out to support the Foundation by sharing in the fellowship of the evening, celebrating our grant recipients, and perhaps being inspired to donate, called to serve, or contribute in any way to help continue the mission of the Highland Area Community Foundation. In closing out the evening, Burgett thanked Busey Bank, our Banquet Sponsor since 2005, donors, grant recipients, Scheffel-Boyle for their continued support, the grants committee, Banquet Chair Linda Manley and her committee, the Helvetia Sharpshooters for the venue, Cygan Delaney Catering for the delicious meal, Mosaic Church for sound equipment, Highland High School’s WDOG Media Group for their technical services, Boy Scout Troop 8040 for set-up and tear down for our event, and most of all, those attending in the spirit of celebration and giving. Highland Area Community Foundation board members for 2024-2025 are Kevin Dewaele, Ben Eberwein, Bonnie Gelly, Ryan Goodwin, James Gutzler, Jeff Hebrank, Linda Held, Gail Holthaus, Joe Horstmann, Jay Korte, Julie Korte, Mark Korte, Bob Luitjohan, Linda Manley, Lisa Michael, Jennifer Ostrander, and Rick Ringwald. For more information on the Foundation’s various funds or programs, call Executive Director Kevin Heman, Paula Redman or Kathy Klostermann at 618/654-4727. Seated in front row, l to r: Kyle Osterbur of Holly’s House of Hope, Nancy Genteman of Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library, Mark Rosen of City of Highland, Gail Holthaus of Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund, Pastor Nancy Brooks accepting for Grantfork United Church of Christ Youth Fellowship, Barb Eberhart of Grantfork United Church of Christ, Nancy Hediger of Highland Garden Club, Linda Klaus of Highland Area Senior Citizens Club, Teresa Cornelius of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brenda Hebrank representing Missionary Society of St. Therese, and Sheila Beil of Highland Arts Council. Second row, l to r: Jeff Hebrank, Foundation Grants Chairman; Carol Porter of Busey Bank, Banquet Sponsor; Aimee Goodwin of Hard Road Theatre Productions, Missy Loyet of L.U.N.C.H. Bunch, Linda Korte of Giger Cemetery Association, Diane Williams of Highland Area Christian Service Ministry, Julie LaFrance of Highland Quilt Boxers, Haidee Todora of St. Paul Catholic School, Tina Steibel of Hospice of Southern Illinois, Valerie Haas of Highland Middle School, June Blaine of Metro-East Humane Society, Cindy Langston of St. Jacob Elementary School, Erin Cotto of Highland High School Dance Team, Diane Boeser of Relevant Pregnancy Options Center, and Holly Ayer of Highland High School Math Department. Third row, l to r: Hillarie Holzinger of Highland Chamber of Commerce, Jordan Keeven of Highland High School Girls Golf, Kim Keeney of Highland Primary School, Cyndi Huelsman of Meals on Wheels, Jacob Rose of Highland Knights of Columbus, Suzanne Meyer of Highland Woman’s Club, Karen Barker of Highland Historical Society, Luanne Murphy of Heartland Community Chorus, Makenzie Wilson of Hitz Memorial Home, Chad Korte of P.I.C. Park, April Cook of St. Rose School, Steven Brendel representing Grantfork Police Department, and Andrew Hanford of Highland EMS. Back row, l to r: Rick Embry of The Highland Home, Dale Schmitt of Keystone Cemetery Association, St. Jacob; Phil Decker of Village of Grantfork, Russell Marti of Anderson Cemetery Association, Caleb Houchins accepting for Highland High School, Chris Becker accepting for Highland Community Unit School District #5, Nathan Biggs of Highland Police Department, Darren Apken of Village of Marine, Chris Schomber of Marine Elementary School, and Ben Wolfe of Highland-Pierron Fire Department.

FOUNDATION’S 29th ANNUAL GRANTS BANQUET OCTOBER 10 T he Highland Area Community Foundation’s 29th annual Grants Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, and is once again being sponsored by Busey Bank. Grants totaling over $119,850 will be awarded to support community projects. In the past 28 years, over $1.4 million in grants and scholarships have gone back into our service area. HACF President Bonnie Gelly stated that the Foundation is pleased to have Busey Bank as Corporate Sponsor of our Grants Banquet again this year. Busey Bank has been a dedicated supporter of the Foundation for many years. “As a dedicated member of the Highland community for nearly three decades, we understand and respect organizations like the Highland Area community Foundation and value its mission to meet the needs of the community,” said Carol Porter, Assistant Vice President and Service Manager of Busey’s Highland service center. “We’re proud to once again sponsor this wonderful event and honored to be associated with such a great organization.” This year’s event will be held at the Lindendale Park Ballroom in Highland. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $50 per person, $18 of which is tax deductible. Net proceeds from the event will be used to provide ongoing support for the Foundation. If you have ever wanted to see how great communities are built, this is the night! Join us to help celebrate 29 years of good people doing good things! Further information about banquet tickets and reservations may be obtained by calling the Foundation office at 618/654-4727.

Representatives of Busey Wealth Management attended the Highland Area Community Foundation’s quarterly board meeting on August 20, 2024, to present their annual financial report to the HACF Board. Busey Bank presented the Foundation with a check for $3,000.00 for sponsorship of this year’s grants banquet. Pictured are (from left): Kevin Hemann - HACF Executive Director, Sean Callison & Gail Washenko and Joann Barton – Busey Representatives, and Dr. Bonnie Gelly - HACF President. This will be the 19th year that Busey Wealth Management has sponsored the Foundation’s Grants Banquet. The 29th Grants Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Lindendale Park Ballroom in Highland, Illinois. If you are interested in attending the banquet, please email the foundation office at info@hacf.org or call the office at 618-654-4727.

HIGHLAND AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND HIGHLAND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RECEIVE FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL DONATION