Spirit of Philanthropy event a fitting tribute to trend-setters

Hamilton County’s culture of giving is unique.
There was unanimous consent on that concept Sept. 28 at The Leadership Center, where the Hamilton Community Foundation invited community leaders from throughout the county to celebrate the first-ever “Spirit of Philanthropy” event. Nearly 200 people gathered on an otherwise routine Tuesday night to recognize several people who helped lay the foundation for a pay-it-forward mentality that has literally lit sparks, opened doors and changed lives. It was the place to be that evening in Hamilton County, which was evident by the broad base of support from all across the county.
It’s hard, if not impossible, to quantify the impact the Hamilton Community Foundation has had dating back to 1965, but this emotional celebration brought the story to life in a very real and wonderful way. We often focus on and report the numbers, which are impressive, but there is so much more to this story. For the record, a foundation that started with a single fund back in 1965 has grown to more than $20 million, generating $1 million in grants and more than $200,000 in scholarships each and every year.
That story is well known here in a county that truly embraces the concept of philanthropic giving. In fact, several other sizable foundations have grown here over the years, which when combined with HCF have assets valued at more than $60 million, all donated to help grow and support the community in various ways.
This special night was focused on three honorees who helped sow the seeds so many years ago that have grown into an umbrella of incredible foundation reach. It was a fitting, if not long overdue, tribute to some very humble, generous and kind-hearted souls. Last week’s ANR edition celebrated the stories of the Frank and Alice Farr Trust, which received the Community Impact Award; the late Tim Otto, who received the Unsung Hero Award; and Keith and Norma Heuermann, who received the Lifetime Legacy Award. The video tributes to each of these three honorees were outstanding, very touching, and should be somehow shared with a larger audience to help inspire future community leaders. 
Thanks to these three honorees the bar has been set high. Their vision and generosity set an example many others have since followed, sending a message that you can in fact change lives by giving back to your community.
Kurt Johnson