Hancock County Community Foundation Family Strengthening and Youth Development Funds

The Boys and Girls Club Endowment is an operating fund established to provide perpetual financial assistance to the organization in its ability to fulfill its mission to provide character building experiences for the youth of Hancock County through educational and recreational activities.

Brody Wallace Stephens was born Dec. 19, 2008, in Indianapolis, the fourth son of Jason and Celia Stephens. In his short life, Brody fought leukemia not once but twice and, along the way, became a superstar in his own right.

He was small but mighty, a standout basketball player and a lover of all things sports, especially trading cards. Brody’s dream was to one day open his very own sports card shop.

Brody’s strength and his spirit touched everyone – from doctors, nurses, family members and friends, other small children battling the disease to NFL and NBA superstars, and college athletes who, once they met Brody, couldn’t forget him.

Brody’s favorite athletes and special friends were Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III and Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry. Warriors Coach Steve Kerr also held a special place in Brody’s heart.

Basketball was Brody’s first love and, in the hospital, he could often be found in hallways practicing his dribbling skills. When asked, not so long ago, what advice he would have for other kids who just found out they had cancer, Brody quickly replied: “To fight.”  His two favorite mottos were “Never Give Up, We Got This” and “Fight. It’s what we do.”

The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide perpetual funding to New Palestine Education Foundation (NPEF) to address needs of the school system. Preference shall be given for the support of extra-curricular activities including sports, clubs, and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics projects/programs.

This fund provides perpetual operating income to the organization to further its mission of supporting 4-H youth and the Hancock County 4-H Fair.

Monica Kucan was passionate about her career as a Mental Health professional at the Adult & Child Mental Health Center in Indianapolis. She was devoted to helping others who struggled with disabilities or mental health problems.

Monica and her family have lived in Hancock County since 2007. Monica served as secretary on the board of directors for Families United for Support and Encouragement (FUSE). Monica and her family became familiar with the Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF) through their involvement with FUSE.

Monica envisioned a program in Hancock County schools that would allow children with disabilities an opportunity to learn social skills at the elementary/middle school age. With the support of a $25,000 Big Impact Grant from HCCF, the Building our Social Skills (BOSS) program was launched in Hancock County. The program is offered in nine schools with more than 40 students served.

Monica Kucan passed away on April 20, 2018, at 34 years old. To continue her vision, Monica’s family created the Monica A. Kucan Memorial Endowment Fund. It will provide financial scholarships to children that need assistance to attend the BOSS program in Hancock County schools.

The Nameless Creek Youth Camp, Inc. Endowment provides financial support for the organization’s operations and capital improvements. All funding furthers the mission of the organization to increase the appreciation of nature and the enjoyment of the outdoors by creating year-round recreational, educational, and camping opportunities for youth and families.

Nameless Creek Camp and Event Center is a very unique facility in our county.  Since 1951, Nameless Creek Youth Camp has been in existence serving citizens in our county and nearby communities outside of Hancock County. In recent years, the camp’s buildings and grounds have been completely renovated, adding indoor educational space and year-round usability.

Each year the camp and event center host approximately 200 event days with 6,000-8,000 visitors including repeat attendees. The camp has been rebuilt with the addition of new buildings creating 12+ acres of recreational and educational outdoor and indoor space – all while not borrowing one dollar to complete the projects. Nameless Creek Youth Camp and Event Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and operates completely as a volunteer organization with every dollar raised for the camp going back into the camp.

In 2014, those who call themselves wife, daughter, brother, colleague, and friend to the Honorable Richard Pasco, established an endowment fund to recognize leadership traits that exemplify the qualities and the integrity that they feel all public officials should strive to achieve. In doing so, they honor those traits in the man who served the community most of his adult life. “Dick was a tireless advocate of creating opportunities for engagement of citizens in the local government process, particularly young people,” says Beverly Gard, long-time friend, and colleague.

Born on September 15, 1947, Dick followed in his family’s footsteps and, along with his brother David, became the fourth generation of Pascos to serve the community as Pasco Funeral Home in Greenfield. He did so following his military service in the U. S. Navy where, during the Vietnam War, he served on the USS Trumpetfish SS-245. Dick spent years serving on nonprofit boards dedicating many hours of volunteer service. He held a multitude of leadership positions with Kiwanis and his dedicated service was recognized with Indiana District’s Distinguished Lt. Governor Award and Outstanding Lt. Governor of the Year Award, and the International Distinguished Governor Award. In 1995, Dick received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Bayh.

Dick dedicated more than 20 years of public service to the City of Greenfield and Hancock County Councils. His community service culminated with his election to the office of Mayor of the City of Greenfield in 2011. His term was cut short upon his passing in December 2013.

The Mayor Richard J. Pasco Youth Citizenship Endowment will generate grants to organizations with a focus on youth programs that emphasize civic involvement. “Dick’s life was a lifetime of service,” said David Pasco, who considered his brother an inspiration. He desires that others be inspired to replicate Dick’s passion. It is the hope of the fund’s founders that others will donate to the fund, and through the community’s generosity, empower others to become outstanding leaders and citizens, much like the devoted servant for whom the fund honors.

Established to celebrate the lives of William and Lola Reason, this fund supports programs and initiatives in an effort to educate the youth of Hancock County about the sacrifices men and women made in protecting the United States during World War II.

A member of HCCF’s Spirit of Community fund family, grants support programs that proactively strengthen and grow our youth and encourage the betterment of our families in Hancock County.