The Aaron Stookey Spirit of Philanthropy Fund is named after Aaron Stookey to recognize individuals or businesses in our community who are exemplary in their philanthropic activities. The 2024 recipient is Rick Hammerle of Lebanon, who becomes the 19th recipient of this award.
When this fund was established in 1996, it was desired that the Community Foundation of Boone County continue on Aaron’s legacy by recognizing Boone County residents with a broad base of charitable activities. The recipient should be someone who demonstrates a long-standing commitment to local charities, setting a positive example for others by their volunteerism, as well as, but not limited to, financial support. Community residents submit nominations and the CFBC Grants Committee determines each year’s recipient, whose name is then added to a plaque hung in Stookey’s Restaurant in Thorntown. The recipient then pays it forward by selecting a local nonprofit organization to receive a grant, from the Aaron Stookey Spirit of Philathropy Fund.
For the last 10 years, Hammerle has made a signficant impact in the Boone County Community by coordinating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program – an IRS and community-sponosred program designed to assist low to moderate income taxpayers with free basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing.
As one nominator said, “Since 2014, over 2,500 community members, including senior citizens, young people and low-income families have received free tax assistance. Rick (Hammerle) and his team of volunteer tax preparers assisted over 300 individuals this year alone! He works tirelessly from January through April (and beyond) ensuring his volunteers are trained and certified, scheduling clients, providing convenient appointment times, and making sure hard-working individuals and families in our community claim appropriate earned income tax credits. His quiet and caring demeanor lends itself to calming the nerves of anxious clients, and he goes above and beyond to ensure all clients are taken care of.”
Hammerle is also an active board member at The Shalom House, and former treasurer of the Lebanon High School Music Boosters. He and his wife, Amy, support nonprofit organizations including BCSSI, Boone County Mentoring Partnership, and Brooke’s Place for Grieving Children.
Stephen Conway, Director/President of The Spiel Foundation and Rick Hammerle, 2024 Aaron Stookey Spirit of Philanthropy Award Winner
Hammerle chose to award the $500 grant from the Aaron Stookey Spirit of Philanthropy Award fund to The Spiel Foundation.
The Spiel Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the world a more playful place. The organization delivers bundles of games to organizations that serve players of all ages, including children’s hospitals, senior centers, shelters, halfway houses, Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, libraries, and prisons. To learn more about The Spiel Foundation, and how you can help support their mission, visit their website at www.thespielfoundation.com.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to unite people, organizations, and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference right here in Boone County, while also leading a vision to collaboratively address the root causes of challenges facing Boone County in diverse and equitable ways. The Community Foundation continues to invest in the people working to fill local needs and has granted more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. With nearly $35 million in net assets, the Community Foundation works with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving, to strengthen Boone County for generations to come.