HACF CELEBRATES 30 YEARS - AWARDS $176,188 IN GRANTS The Highland Area Community Foundation held its 30th Annual Grants Banquet October 9, 2025, at The Olde Wicks Factory in Highland with 200 in attendance. Jim Burgett, Past President of the Foundation, served as emcee for the evening. Prior to the grant presentations, guests enjoyed a musical performance by students of the Highland Music School, directed by Angelina McLaughli-Heil. A group of young violinists delighted the audience with a medley of classical pieces. Grants totaling $176,188 were announced by the Foundation grants committee at this year’s banquet which was sponsored by Busey Bank. This year’s grants bring the total of Foundation grants awarded in the last 30 years to $1.6 million benefitting 132 various groups. Of the 76 grants awarded this year, $110,988 went to 42 community groups and schools from the Foundation’s unrestricted funds, and $65,200 went to various community organizations and schools, the Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library, the City of Highland, and local scholarships from 34 specified funds. Grants Committee Chair Jeff Hebrank announced grant recipients with grants going to a variety of Highland area organizations serving the less fortunate, youth, senior citizens, the arts, Highland history, sports, and various other community needs in our service area. During the evening, Executive Director Kevin Hemann paused to reflect on the recent passing of one of the Foundation’s founding visionaries, Ralph Korte, who passed away in August. Hemann shared how Ralph and his wife Donna’s generosity helped establish the financial base for what would later become the Korte Recreation Center, a beloved community asset. Ralph Korte was remembered for a life marked by hard work, integrity, and generosity, with a legacy that extends far beyond Highland. In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Foundation, Executive Director Kevin Heman honored and recognized the Founding Fathers of the organization – Floyd Rogier, Larry (Biddy) Essenpreis, Jim Burgett, Don Johannes, Gordon Smith and Terry Riffel. These six community leaders shared a dream that began in April 1994. The dedication, vision, and foresight of these remarkable individuals set in motion the groundwork for the Highland Area Community Foundation. We thank them for their belief that one community, working together, can make a difference that lasts generations. Foundation President Bob Luitjohan recognized retiring directors Ryan Goodwin and Rick Ringwald for their service and dedication to the Foundation. Both have served on the Board of Directors for two three-year terms. Ryan served as President for two years, and both served on the Marketing and Finance Committees sharing their insight and expertise to help guide the Foundation’s continued growth. Luitjohan thanked those in attendance for coming out to support the Foundation by sharing in the fellowship of the evening, celebrating our grant recipients, and being inspired to donate, to serve, or contribute in any way to help continue the mission of the Highland Area Community Foundation. In closing out the evening, Burgett thanked Busey Bank, our Banquet Sponsor since 2005, donors, grant recipients, Scheffel-Boyle for their continued support, the grants committee, Banquet Chair Linda Manley and her committee, The Olde Wicks Factory for the venue, Cygan Delaney Catering for the delicious meal, Mosaic Church for sound equipment, Case Media Design for their technical services and most of all, those attending in the spirit of celebration and giving. Highland Area Community Foundation board members for 2025-2026 are Kevin Dewaele, Ben Eberwein, Maria Geppert, Bonnie Gelly, James Gutzler, Jeff Hebrank, Linda Held, Gail Holthaus, Joe Horstmann, Jay Korte, Julie Korte, Mark Korte, Bob Luitjohan, Linda Manley, Lisa Michael, Judy Neier, and Jennifer Ostrander. For more information on the Foundation’s various funds or programs, call Executive Director Kevin Heman, Paula Redman or Kathy Klostermann at 618/654-4727.