Established by Sharlene and Don Berkshire in memory of Sharlene’s parents, Edwin and Flossie Heupel, this endowment fund began making distributions in 2001 to residents in Whitley County who have fallen on hard times due to a health crisis. Since then, it has provided assistance for prescription medication, travel expenses related to care, and even burial costs.
“By establishing this fund in honor of my parents, my husband and I fulfilled a promise I made to myself a number of years ago, to create some type of remembrance within the community in their honor,” Sharlene explained. “My father was quite active in community affairs and both parents had always been concerned with the plight of those in need. What better way to honor
them, than to establish a fund within the community they loved, for those who need assistance at a particular time in their lives?”
Individuals seeking assistance must be a current resident of Whitley County. Requests for funding will be handled on a case by case basis and should be submitted only after all other avenues for assistance have been exhausted.