Members of JETT (Jasper Endows Today and Tomorrow), met on November 6, for their second annual Granting Party. Four charities from Dubois County were represented at the evening event: Freedom Reins, Mentors for Youth, Anderson Woods, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Two charities from Crawford County were represented at the evening event: Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County and Prevent Child Abuse of Crawford County. Each charitable group took about 10 minutes to educate the JETT members on their focus, who they serve and, if they receive this year’s grant, how they would use the money. After the presentations, the members of JETT took time to weigh out the merits and possible outreach of the organizations and then took an anonymous vote. In the end, it was Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County who were awarded over $10,000 in grants to be used to better their organizations.
Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County was officially presented a check on November 25 at the Jasper Engines and Transmissions Crawford County facility. Reggie Timberlake, Habitat Director, accepted the check which was presented by several members of JETT. Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses. Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor – “sweat equity” – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Members of JETT also volunteered a work team, for a day, in support of the project.
CASA was officially presented with a check on November 26 at the Jasper Engines and Transmissions corporate office in Jasper. Deeana Hubler, Director of CASA and Nicole Hurrle accepted the check which was presented by a number of JETT members. Court Appointed Special Advocates are community volunteers trained to represent the best interests of children who are part of the court system due to abuse or neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates can make a huge difference in a child’s life during this uncertain time.
The JETT members are extremely proud to be able to offer grants to worthy organizations like CASA and Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County and are very thankful for the support shown to them by the upper level management at Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Mark Balsmeyer, one of the founding members of JETT, summed it up by saying, “What an amazing opportunity! Not only were we able to grant funds to CASA and Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County, but we were also able to put $6,500 into our JASPER endowment fund which will continue to grow so it can be used for future generations.”
About JASPER Endows Today and Tomorrow
JASPER Endows Today and Tomorrow was formed early in 2013 by a group of Jasper Engines and Transmissions Associates. The mission of JETT is to create a unique giving experience for the company’s Associates and their families in order to help them to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of philanthropy and how it can fit into the lives of practically everyone. The group has nearly doubled their membership, increasing from 29 members in 2013 to a roster of 50 in 2014.
