Three Dearborn Co. residents recognized for volunteerism

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – Three Dearborn County residents are being recognized for their volunteerism. 

The Dearborn Community Foundation selected Stacy Halbig, Jude Schulte and Kenny Cotton for the 2025 Heart of Gold Award. 

The award also allows each recipient to give a $750 grant to a local organization of their choice. 

Stacy Halbig helped restart the FOP Auxiliary in 2019 and now serves as the president. She also chairs the Cops & Kids Christmas Program and also is part of the FOP Blue Line Scholars program.

She also leads several fundraisers and says being part of initiatives that benefit kids is natural to her.

“I’ve spent the majority of my nursing career in pediatrics, so being a part of working with so many great volunteers to help kids is special to me,” she said.

Greendale resident Jude Schulte has been involved in several organizations including the Dearborn County Clearinghouse for Emergency Aid and an outreach program through Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church in Lawrenceburg.

He has helped restart High Hope Cafe which is a program that provides weekly free hot dinners at Hamline Chapel. 

At first, Schulte was a volunteer helping with the meals. Then COVID-19 shut down the program for two years. He was asked to become the High Hope Café chairperson, and he connected with other volunteers to restart the program in 2021 and it’s going strong.

This past summer, Hamline partnered with The Community Project and Lawrenceburg Community Center to launch a summer free lunch program for youth who may be missing out on meals while school is out for summer. 

When asked why he volunteers his time for others, Schulte said “It seems like the right thing to do, and I enjoy it. I like connecting with people to improve processes. … My mom taught us kids to do good things for others, and it makes you feel better. My parents were always ready to help others. If they saw a need, they jumped in and helped. They were good examples.”

Kenny Cotton was recommended for the award for using his talent as a woodworker to help others. 

He and his wife lost their daughter to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1994. It led him to make Hope Chests to raise money in her honor. 

Cotton continues to make Hope Chests to assist other initiatives ncuding A Cure for ALS and veterans organizations. Sometimes, he makes a Hope Chest for a family who lost a child or other loved one.

While there’s no true accounting for how much others have raised raffling the Hope Chests over the years, it’s no doubt thousands and thousands of dollars to help others. Cotton has made and donated 160 of the chests and take about a month to make.

Cotton’s original goal was to make 100 Hope Chests to donate, but he couldn’t stop. His new goal is 200. 

“To me, it’s all about Amy and the others who need hope. I like to bring a smile out. It would make Amy so happy to know it’s helping others," he said.