As the year comes to a close and the holiday season encourages reflection, we’re filled with thanks—for our partners, our community and our shared commitment to improving health and wellness across Kosciusko County. Every day, our grantees bring compassion, dedication and intention to their work, ensuring that individuals and families have the resources they need to live healthier lives.
In the spirit of gratitude, we invited several of our grantees to share their thoughts on this season of gratitude and hope. Their heartfelt answers remind us why this work matters—and how strong our community can be when we focus on health, together.
What is your organization most thankful for this season?
“We are deeply thankful for the incredible outpouring of community support our ministry receives each holiday season. While the end of the year is often a busy and demanding time for our staff, our hearts are continually renewed by those who reach out with generosity and love. Volunteers step in with meals, gifts and genuine companionship—tangible reminders that we are not alone in this mission. We are truly blessed to serve alongside such a caring community.”
— Becky Rassi, Executive Director at Rose Garden Recovery
“At The Watershed Foundation, we’re grateful for our community of partners—agencies, lake associations, farmers, businesses, landowners and donors—working together for cleaner, healthier water.”
— Lyn Crighton, Executive Director at The Watershed Foundation
“We are incredibly grateful for our community. It may sound cliché, but we truly appreciate those whose vision transformed an abandoned school building into the North Webster Community Center. This season, our hearts are focused on being grateful for the people who are the very essence of this place. Those who show up, welcome others, share conversations, and fill our halls with laughter and life.”
— Emily Shipley, Executive Director at North Webster Community Center
“The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department is thankful for all those individuals, families, community groups and others who participate in our programs and activities and who use our facilities and parks to enrich their lives.”
— Chad Jonsson, Superintendent at Syracuse Parks and Recreation
What do you hope for the individuals you serve this holiday season?
“Our hope is for seniors in our community to have holidays like they remember from their youth. Things are changing so fast for seniors that they cannot keep up. We hope their memories of past holidays live up to current holidays without loneliness, and that everyone who is having a great holiday season will try to remember to reach out in some small way to less fortunate seniors.”
— David Neff, Executive Director at Kosciusko County Senior Services
“We hope that the people we serve realize the blessing and responsibility of homeownership. For those already in their home, we hope that the holidays are filled with the joy of having a safe, warm place to live. For those waiting for their homes to finish, we hope that they look forward to how a new home can bring their family together over the holidays.”
— Ben Logan, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County
“We are thankful to celebrate our 60th year of providing services and hope to our community and are blessed to have the faith and trust of our community, funders and partners. Our hope is to remove the causes and conditions of poverty for all so that our services are no longer needed 60 years from now.”
— Pam Brookshire, Vice President of Community Services at Brightpoint
To all our grantees, community leaders and residents—thank you for the work you do and the hope you bring every season.
Now and into the future, K21 Health Foundation is committed to supporting wellness for generations—helping ensure that everyone in Kosciusko County can live healthier, happier lives for years to come.
