Weitzel wins Cole award

Volunteers set the framework for nonprofits and their communities.

One such volunteer in Portland received recognition for his various contributions Wednesday.

The Portland Foundation honored Mike Weitzel with its Jack Cole Award for Volunteerism during its annual meeting.

“I was completely taken by surprise,” said Weitzel, who has served as Portland’s fire chief since 2016.

A board member of United Way of Jay County, Weitzel spearheaded Splashin’ with a Passion: Peggy’s Plunge. The event has raised more than $20,000 over the past two years and benefits organizations such as Jay County Special Olympics, Jay County Cancer Society and Jay Homeless Shelter.

Weitzel has been involved in ongoing discussions at Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, serving on the opioid settlement task force for determining how to spend opioid settlement funds and working to establish Portland’s upcoming recovery home, The Vision on Votaw.

He also serves as a board member for Youth Service Bureau and has been active with Portland Main Street Connect.

Former foundation executive director Jack Cole presented the award, sharing a few words about Weitzel’s involvement in the community. He read a nomination letter written by Cindy Denney.

“Volunteers are the foundation for every nonprofit organization,” read Cole. “There are volunteers, and then there are, underscored, volunteers who deserve to be recognized for all they do in their community. Chief Weitzel is a perfect example of what it means to be dedicated to his community as an extraordinary volunteer.”

 Weitzel has been named Citizen of the Year twice in the last five years for his volunteer efforts and various leadership roles. 

As he stood at the podium Wednesday at John Jay Center for Learning, his voice trembled.

“I’m honored,” he said. “Thank you. I couldn’t do it without my family and the guys at my department. They support everything I do. It’s a great community.”

Adding to Denney’s comments about volunteers, Cole spoke highly of the Portland community and its representatives overall.

“I would like to add that volunteers are the very essence necessary in any community to ensure it is a place for people to thrive, survive and prosper,” he said. 

“Portland continues to represent the community that every one of you in this room should be proud to call home.”

Also Wednesday, during The Portland Foundation’s annual meeting, foundation executive director Doug Inman reported record achievements in 2024. 

The foundation’s assets totaled $55.2 million at the end of 2024, up from the previous year of $47.1 million and surpassing its 2021 record of $50.7 million.

The Portland Foundation had 30 new endowments last year, setting a record high and bringing its total to 474. It received $4.91 million in gifts and granted $1.65 million in grants and scholarships.

The foundation has given $13.5 million in grants and $8.5 million in scholarships since its founding in 1951.

Inman shared updates about participation in the eighth iteration of the Lilly Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative. He said one component of the initiative requires the foundation to raise $375,000 in unrestricted endowment gifts to receive $750,000 in matching funds. As of Wednesday, the foundation had received $343,298. Inman asked community members to consider making a gift.

“If you desire to create a legacy for your family or for yourself, by establishing a new endowment, a gift of $1,667 will get you $3,334 matching dollars from Lilly endowment, will take you to $5,001, which is the minimum amount to establish any endowment fund in our foundation,” explained Inman, noting gifts of any size can also be made to existing endowments.

He also talked about Jay County Early Learning Center, which opened its doors in December after.

The Portland Foundation purchased the former Judge Haynes Elementary School building in Portland for $35,000 from Jay School Corporation in 2022. The foundation entered into a five-year agreement in 2023 with Westminster Preschool of Marion to operate the learning center, which underwent nearly $4 million in renovations.

The learning center serves newborns through 5-year-old children and currently cares for 30 children, although the space allows for up to 150 children. Inman and learning center officials noted spots are available. (The learning center is hosting a summer carnival open to the community from 4 to 7 p.m. today. The indoor event will include games, a bounce house, food and community resources.)

He also discussed hopes to offer early learning opportunities in Dunkirk. He noted the foundation wasn’t granted dollars in a proposal last year to the Lily Endowment fund for the project, placing the effort on a temporary hold.

He also pointed out next year will mark The Portland Foundation’s 75th anniversary.

The Portland Foundation board president Jeremy Gulley spoke highly of the work the foundation accomplishes.

“Imagine for a moment, without this institution and all those who have supported it, what would it have looked like?” asked Gulley. “I think what’s even more exciting is what it will look like, could look like, the stories we haven’t heard yet, as we come to these meeting over the time.”