Montgomery County Community Foundation conducted its annual meeting Thursday at the Hoosier Heartland State Bank’s Success Center. President Erin Gobel presided over the meeting.
Following the standard items of business, outgoing and incoming board members were recognized. Outgoing board members included Sheila McCormick and Debbie Schavietello. Each joined the board in 2019 and served two consecutive three-year terms. McCormick served on the scholarship committee all six years and has chaired it since 2020. Schavietello served on the governance and grants committees, chairing the governance committee. She also served as board secretary from 2023 to 2025.
Newly-elected board members recognized were Pam Bradley and Shawn Ramey. The balance of the 13-member board includes: Tracey Barr, Chris Cox, Gary Isenberg, Brenda Lovold, Jack Grimble, Erin Gobel, Cathy Caldwell, Preston Bost, Anna Bravo-Moore, Wendy Feller and Zach Hockersmith.
Since 1996, the recognition of outstanding volunteers has been a staple of the MCCF annual meeting. Two awards were presented, one to an adult and another, the Peggy Herzog Youth Volunteer award went to a young person.
The 2025 MCCF Volunteer of the Year is Jessica Bokhart, nominated for her service and dedication to the Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society. Bokhart has been an extraordinary force behind the success of the Lew Wallace Museum. With her financial expertise, she has strengthened the museum’s investments and dramatically increased revenue for the TASTE of Montgomery County — an event she has led with unmatched dedication. From securing sponsors and vendors to writing personal notes and making follow-up visits, Jessica’s thoughtful, hands-on approach has made a lasting impact.
As current board president, Bokhart has energized the board with forward-thinking initiatives, including off-site planning sessions to shape the museum’s future. She has helped recruit new board members, supported programs like ArchiCamp by enrolling her own children, and modernized pricing structures to ensure sustainability.
She leads with a “can-do” spirit, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to community. Her ability to balance family, work, and extensive volunteerism sets her apart. Introduced to the museum through another volunteer, she quickly became an indispensable leader, repeatedly declining opportunities to step back, because, in her words, she “loves the museum and the role it plays in the community.”
“Jessica is not just a volunteer — she is a true philanthropist in both spirit and action, and an inspiration to us all,” said Larry Paarlberg, museum director.
Gobel presented Bokhart with a plaque commemorating her service and a $1,000 grant to the Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society in her honor.
Three other individuals were nominated and each received a certificate of recognition and a gift. They included:
• Bill Durbin, Veterans Memorial Park
Durbin is the heart and soul of Veterans Memorial Park. Officially the board secretary, he far exceeds the bounds of his title — installing commemorative bricks, welcoming school groups, and even raising and lowering flags as needed. Whether it’s coordinating displays or creating new sponsorship opportunities, Bill is always “on duty” with unmatched energy, commitment and care.
One of Durbin’s most significant contributions is his visionary design of the park’s four-pad concentric layout, which features a central monument, flags and memorial bricks. His ability to clearly communicate that vision has attracted donors and inspired community support. His leadership, engineering expertise and passion for honoring veterans have been essential to the park’s development and continued success.
As a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Byron Cox Post 72 Honor Guard, Durbin lives out his mission to ensure that no veteran is forgotten. His service to VMP is truly a labor of love, and it’s no exaggeration to say the park would not exist without his dedication.
• Sally Gooden, Animal Welfare League
Gooden is the engine that keeps the Animal Welfare League running. Known affectionately as the person who “knows everything,” Sally is the go-to for questions, support, and solutions. Her daily tasks range from coordinating spay and neuter transport, managing office work, answering phones and posting adoption updates to jumping in wherever she’s needed — including fundraising and community outreach.
Her leadership shines through in her consistency and dedication —r arely missing a day at the shelter, Gooden brings stability to an environment with ever-changing demands. Whether she’s educating the public, solving problems, or patiently helping individuals navigate the challenges of surrendering pets, Gooden leads with compassion and focus on what matters most: the well-being of the animals.
Her journey with AWL began with fostering a special dog named Chance. That experience sparked a lasting commitment fueled by her love of animals — especially black Labs. Today, she’s a cornerstone of the shelter, and her tireless efforts have made a meaningful impact on animals and people alike.
• Marvin Swick, FISH Food Pantry
Swick is the quiet strength behind the FISH Food Pantry. As both a volunteer and board member, he plays a crucial role in ensuring the pantry is stocked and ready to serve the community. Twice a week, he collects food donations from Kroger and delivers them to FISH. He also steps up at mobile pantry events across the county, always ready to lend a helping hand.
Swick leads not with words, but with action. He’s known for his reliability, honesty and humility — if there’s a task to be done, Swick will get it done, and do it well. His personal motto, “Whatever you do, do to the best of your ability,” guides everything he touches. He’s a pillar of support to the pantry’s leadership simply by being present and steady.
Motivated by a desire to help others, Swick began his journey by organizing donations at his church, moved by the contrast between abundance and need. That passion quickly grew, and today, he is a vital part of the FISH team — serving others with compassion, integrity and quiet determination.
Next up was the Peggy Herzog Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, which went to Liam Venis for his service to Nourish, a program of the Youth Service Bureau. Every Wednesday morning, Venis shows up at the Youth Service Bureau ready to pack food bags for local students to take home for the weekend — and he does it with a huge smile. He’s been volunteering since 2021 with his mom (or grandma when needed), and it’s become a meaningful routine for them. What started as a way to build life skills for Venis, who’s on the autism spectrum, has grown into a real passion for helping others. He also recycles all the packaging and helps with summer programs. His energy and excitement are contagious. The work gives him a sense of accomplishment and has helped him learn some independence.
Gobel presented Venis with a plaque commemorating his service along with a $1,000 check to Youth Service Bureau’s Nourish program, in honor of his service.
Also nominated was Evelyn Zachary, Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County
Zachary doesn’t just attend board meetings — she brings ideas, energy and leadership to everything she does. From helping plan a mental health movie night to presenting to the United Way board and leading student volunteers, Evelyn is always ready to step up. She’s thoughtful, creative, and leads by example. One of her best moments? Rethinking a toiletry kit project and cutting the time in half while keeping everything running smoothly. She also helps run tech trainings across Indiana, organizes big community events, and even works the polls and writes for the Journal Review.
Gobel wrapped up the accomplishments of 2024 in which just over $2 million was awarded in grants and scholarships. A video capturing highlights of the past year was shown. The video, along with the electronic version of the 2024 Annual Report is on the MCCF website, www.mccf-in.org. The meeting adjourned.
