The Montgomery County Community Foundation held its annual meeting on Thursday, June 19th 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, and incoming board members are Pam Bradley and Shawn Ramey.
McCormick joined the board in 2019 and served two consecutive three-year terms. The majority of her time on the MCCF Board was spent as Chair of the Scholarship Committee, a role she held for five years. Schavietello joined the board in 2020 to serve the remainder of another member's term, then was elected to serve an additional three-year term. She held a variety of positions during her five years as a board member, including Board Secretary, Chair of the Governance Committee, and member of the Grants Committee.
The balance of the 13-member board includes: Tracey Barr, Preston Bost, Anna Bravo-Moore, Cathy Caldwell, Chris Cox, Wendy Feller, Erin Gobel, Jack Grimble, Zach Hockersmith, Gary Isenberg, and Brenda Lovold.
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 goes a young person.
The 2025 MCCF Volunteer of the Year was Jessica Bokhart, nominated for her service and dedication to the Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society. Jessica 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, Jessica 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.
Jessica 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.” According to Museum Director Larry Paarlberg, “Jessica is not just a volunteer—she is a true philanthropist in both spirit and action, and an inspiration to us all.”
Gobel presented her 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
- Bill 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 Bill’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. Bill's 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, Bill 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
- Sally 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—rarely missing a day at the shelter, Sally 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, Sally leads with compassion and focus on what matters most: the well-being of the animals.
- Sally’s 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
- Marvin 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.
- Marvin leads not with words, but with action. He’s known for his reliability, honesty, and humility—if there’s a task to be done, Marvin 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, Marvin 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, Liam 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 Liam, 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. Liam’s 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:
Evelyn Zachary, Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County
- Evelyn 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 local paper.
Gobel wrapped up the accomplishments of 2024 in which just over $2 million was awarded in grants and scholarships. See a video recap of the year here or check out the 2024 MCCF Annual Report.