The Putnam County Community Foundation is proud to congratulate Alex Gurnon, the winner of the 2024 Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest.

Gurnon is a student in Melissa Knipp’s class at Greencastle Middle School.

In recognition of Gurnon’s accomplishment, Family Support Services of West Central Indiana, the charity of his choice, received a $150 grant. Additionally, Greencastle Middle School received a $500 grant. His essay highlighted the philanthropic work of his cousin, Kinga Madro. Gurnon’s essay can be read in its entirety at pcfoundation.org.

The Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest was established in 2006 by Darrell Wiatt, a passionate community member and former educator at the North Putnam Community School Corporation. Through the program, the Community Foundation hopes to recognize a few of the everyday philanthropists in Putnam County and to ensure that no child will graduate from high school without knowing the meaning of the word “philanthropy.”

Entries were accepted from seventh-grade students throughout the county. Students were instructed to write a 500-word essay about “The Philanthropist I Know Personally and Admire the Most.” The essays were reviewed by four judges at the county level and scored on criteria such as spelling, grammar, organization, content of essay, and understanding of philanthropy. 

Eight finalists were chosen from the participating middle schools in Putnam County. Each finalist had the opportunity to designate a local organization to receive a Finalist Grant Award.

Jacob Mann, a student at Cloverdale Middle School, chose the New Providence Food Pantry to receive a Finalist Grant Award and wrote about his father, Joe Mann.

Myles Sawyer, a student at Cloverdale Middle School, chose Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars to receive a Finalist Grant Award in honor of his philanthropist, Al Tucker.

Lucy Dunn, a student at Greencastle Middle School, chose the Humane Society of Putnam County to receive a Finalist Grant Award. The philanthropist she admires most is Kristin Fuhs Wells.

Brooklynn Payne, a student at North Putnam Middle School, wrote about Payton Shippy. She chose the Putnam County Playhouse to receive a Finalist Grant Award.

Demi Ontrop, a student at North Putnam Middle School, wrote about her grandfather, Loren Minnix. She chose to support veterans like him with her Finalist Grant Award.

Gabby Robbins, a student at South Putnam Middle School, chose Phil the Need to receive a Finalist Grant Award. Her philanthropist is her orthodontist, Dr. Dennis Knuth.

Grace Richardson, a student at South Putnam Middle School, chose Friends of the Putnam County Public Library to receive a Finalist Grant Award. Her philanthropist is her sister, Faith Featherston.

These grants are made from the Darrell Wiatt Family Philanthropy Essay Contest Endowment, which was established in 2012 by the Wiatt Family to promote philanthropic education and award grants for the essay contest.