A team which partnered with FUSE for its annual Inspiring Abilities Expo was among five teams to complete service projects through this year’s Leadership Hancock County class, which graduates May 1. Those pictured are: Jake Kersey, Evan Beatty, FUSE director Sara Cummins, Laura Barnett, Greenfield mayor Guy Titus, Kim Watts and Cody Baker.
Submitted photo
HANCOCK COUNTY — High school seniors aren’t the only ones preparing to turn their tassels.
Leadership Hancock County’s Class of 2024 will hold a graduation ceremony May 1 at the Thrive Center in Greenfield.
Twenty-four class members completed this year’s class, designed to cultivate community leaders from a variety of backgrounds.
The nonprofit organization has been bringing local leaders together since 1996, introducing them to a number of facets throughout the county in the eight-month course.
Each year class members are divided into teams which work on individual projects to enhance the community.
“The projects this time were centered around nonprofits,” said Leadership Hancock County’s executive director, Melissa Ewald.
One team raised funding to purchase and install shelving to store supplies at the Hancock County Food Pantry.
Another helped support and promote the annual Inspiring Abilities Expo hosted by FUSE, or Families United for Support and Encouragement.
A different team came together for a day of service at The Landing and Recovery Cafe in Greenfield while another did a day of service at the Bentley’s Buddies office in Greenfield, where children snuggle up with dogs to practice their reading skills.
Yet another team did a day of service at the Circle of Care center, where multiple nonprofits operate under one roof in Greenfield.
“We went in and helped clean the whole (Circle of Care) building before its grand opening. We cleaned light fixtures, changed out light bulbs and scrubbed the trim by hand. We helped paint tables and furniture and cleaned all the hand prints off the walls, getting the building ready for its open house,” said team member Laura Parker.
Her team also helped the Circle of Care staff secure grants to purchase and install diaper changing tables in the men’s and women’s restroom.
“We’ve already heard feedback about how appreciative they are to have those available for their clients,” said Parker, who has enjoyed her time in the Leadership Hancock County class.
“The class has been really fun. We’ve learned a lot and have had a lot of good dialogue, and a great experience overall,” she said.
Her favorite day was when the class visited the Hancock County history museum in the basement of the Chapel in the Park to learn about the county’s storied history.
“It was fun learning the stories of the people who lived here and what their life was like,” she said.
Jake Kersey, a corporate branch manager with MJW Mortgage and a Greenfield Rotarian, also had a positive experience in this year’s leadership class.
He was part of the team that partnered with FUSE for its Inspiring Abilities Expo, which is designed to showcase job opportunities and resources for local individuals with disabilities during Disability Awareness Month.
The leadership team invited employers throughout the county to participate in the expo, where they met with individuals, families and caregivers to share the types of job opportunities available and how to apply. Representatives from Dave’s Express Car Wash and Hancock Health took up the invitation to attend.
Ewald said the Leadership Hancock County program is going strong, evidenced in part by a record turnout of 80 guests at an alumni luncheon held April 3.
That’s the same day applications opened for the next leadership class, which will convene in September. Applications are due Aug. 13.
Ewald said the maximum class size is 30, so she encourages those interested to register as soon as possible. Scholarships are available.
For information, visit LeadHC.org.
