Dan Johnston and Ann Howard recently met with Porter County Community Foundation President and CEO, Bill Higbie, to establish 34 new endowment funds. Money for these new permanent endowments was generated through the sale of the Resale Shop’s building at 801 Broadway to Northshore Health Centers. The shop plans to reopen in a new location in 2022.
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a $4,000 grant to 4th Street Theater to purchase surge protection for their building.
The Porter County Community Foundation awards a Community Fund Grant to 4th Street Theater. (Pictured left to right: David Pifko, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Denise Barkow, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Kent Mishler, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; and Linda Pauli, 4th Street Theater Board Member.)
Twenty years ago, 4th Street Theater opened with only eight theater lights as well as a makeshift light board. “Over the years, the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded grants that have brought us into the 21st century,” said Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member. “This most recent grant gives us the surge/electrical equipment to protect our very expensive lighting and sound equipment as well as all other electrical devices in the theater."
“The arts are an integral part of our community,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We appreciate the commitment of all those involved in 4th Street Theater to bring high-quality community theatre to Duneland.”
4th Street Theater was originally founded in 1990 as the North Coast Cultural Association. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization produces award-winning theater productions in Northwest Indiana for our community to enjoy.
Rebuilding Together Duneland was awarded a 2019 Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation for their 2019 Rebuilding Day.
The funds were used to support the important work that the Rebuilding Together team of volunteers completes every year including various home & community improvement projects for financially-burdened individuals and families.
This year in particular, Rebuilding Together Duneland saw an increase in applications from people in need of services. Multiple families received help including the Lenburg’s, a family of four with a son with special needs. The volunteers were able to add a stair railing, fix the garage steps, clean up the landscaping and rebuild the back deck at the Lenburg home.
“We were so honored to have the Lenburg’s home as one of our site projects this year,” said Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteer Jim Thorstad. “Even with the rain and snow, our crew worked extremely hard to help finish the tasks at hand. It’s more than just a railing or fixing steps, its peace of mind for these parents knowing that their house is as safe as it can be for their son. It’s more than just landscaping and a deck, it’s about spending more time together as a family and less time worrying about the yard work that needs to be done. That is what really matters.”
The Lenburg family along with Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteers on their new deck. (left to right) Jim Thorstad (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer), Desila Rosetti (Porter County Community Foundation Board Member), Patty, Jim, Dylan & Hannah Lenburg, and Cliff Zosso (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer).
