NORTH VERNON — The founders of the new Jennings County Small Business Coalition (JCSBC) took giant steps forward this past week when they walked a check for $14,539 dollars into the Jennings County School Corp. (JCSC).
The JCSBC raised the money, which will be used to help local schools cover the extra expenses of supplies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 4th of July Freedom Festival at the Jennings County Fairgrounds.
On Aug. 12, the day before JCSC reopened its doors, Superintendent Teresa Brown said the shcools “can certainly use this money, and we really appreciate the effort that went into raising it.”
The JCSBC isn’t even two months old.
Local residents Trent Wisner and Kyle Layman were busy trying to figure out the required paper work to form the nonprofit group when they heard the news that that the annual fireworks display in North Vernon was canceled. With volunteers Steve Gasper, Doug Gresham and Bryan Gresham, Wisner and Laymen formed the Freedom Festival Committee to organize the community 4th of July celebration.
“We already had so many things canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we just felt the community needed the fireworks so we decided to go ahead and get busy,” Wisner said.
Within three weeks, the group raised over $30,000 in donations from local businesses and organizations. Because they had yet to devise a protocol for handling donationsWisner and Layman requested assistance from the Jennings County Community Foundation (JCCF).
“We were happy to help them. That is what we are here for,” JCCF Director Joanie VanHorn said. “We are here to help advance any effort that will benefit community and this was was definitely a worthwhile effort.”
Knowing that there would be additional expenses for students’ personal protective equipment (PPE) when school started in August, the Freedom Festival Committee decided to try to raise additional money at the festival. Entrance to the fairgrounds for the fireworks and musical entertainment was free, but St. Mary’s School and the local Kiawanis club volunteered to help operate the parking lot for donations.
“It would be impossible to list everyone who helped us. It seemed like there was someone who came to help with anything we needed,” Layman said.
Layman added that in addition to monetary donations, many community members donated their time and labor.
The North Vernon Mayor’s Office, Jennings County Commissioners, and North Vernon Street Department helped make the event a success with the help of the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department and local fire departments.
Between general donations and the parking lot collection the total revenue from the festival added up to $44,539. After all expenses were paid, the profit of $14,539
With the donation made to the school corporation, Wisner and Layman are now putting the final touches on the coalition.
“We have our mission statement. Our mission is to bring local businesses together to collectively give back to the community,” Wisner said. “And that is what is important, and I think so far we have shown we can live up to that. The rest will fall into place.”
Those interested in joining the JCSBC can contact Wisner and Layman at kyle@ laymanfabricationinc.com
