(Talk of the Town photos) Above, the nominees for the Heart of Gold Awards smile proudly with their gold medallions. Below, from left, John Slavich recognizes two of the three Count On Me award nominees Carrie Gates and Paula Langeloh. Brian Bills was not present, but was selected as the grant award recipient. At bottom, from left, Linda McCoy, DeVon Schuman and Jim Hayes were given $1,000 grants to direct to the non-profit agency of their choice as winners of the Heart of Gold Awards.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Hearing the heart-felt stories of self-less giving, of community spirit and love of neighbors, there’s no doubt Whitley County residents have hearts of gold.
On Thursday evening, in an often emotional, yet joy-filled ceremony, the Whitley County Community Foundation recognized local residents whose deeds and commitment to others in their lives and in the community went above and beyond expectations. 
Whitley County Community Foundation executive director September McConnell welcomed guests to the Carver Auditorium at Indian Springs Middle School for the event, which began with a dessert reception.
Program officer John Slavich read the names of three local residents who had been nominated for the Count On Me award, an award that honors adults who’ve made unique contributions to the lives of children. Those nominees included Carrie Gates, Paula Langeloh and Brian Bills.
Nominated by Tara Brandon, Gates was recognized for her ongoing volunteer service to Camp Whitley. Brandon Porter nominated Brian Bills, who has been a dedicated volunteer for Camp Whitley, assisting with archery and the creation of a rifle pavilion and groundskeeping, including the “removal of poison ivy and bees nests.” Paula Langeloh was nominated by Chase Langeloh, among others, for being a long-time camp nurse at Camp Whitley.
Brian Bills, although not in attendance at the event, was selected by the Count Me In committee and was given a grant to direct to the youth-serving agency of his choice.
Whitley County Community Foundation staff members Vanessa Bills, Jenna Ott, John Slavich and Kendtra Zickafoose each took turns reading the heart-felt, beautiful nominations penned by local residents in support of their nominees. 
Prior to the event, a committee comprised of Helen Beatty, Sharlene Berkshire, Jan Hammer, Joan Lillmars, Ruth Metzger and Rosemary Steiner had read and evaluated each nomination, selecting three to be given the opportunity to direct a grant to the non-profit agency of their choice in Whitley County.
As each nomination was read, the nominee approached the front of the room and a golden heart medal was placed around their neck. Nominees listened proudly as their story was read aloud, some with tear-filled eyes – watched by an equally emotional audience, sharing in their celebration of self-lessness.
This year’s nominees included: Lois Bailey, Gary Boggs, Kathy Boston, Mandy Boston, Trent Boston, Ruthie Busick, Stephanie Carpenter, David Cooper, Valerie Cooper, Tom Eberly, Bill Fries, Jackie Fries, Rex Grable, Mark Green, Sue Harker, Jim Hayes, Bill Helm, John Johnson, Judy Johnson, Leander Marie Kauffman, Lynn Klingaman, Barb Knuth, Mike Lane, Suzie Langohr, Cheri Lincoln, Joyce M. Linder, Gail Martin, Linda McCoy, Athena Metzger, Glenys Mills, Emily Munk, Ron Myer, Herb Ohlwine, Joyce Ohlwine, Cathy Petrie, Shawn Pierce, Donald Mark Pratt, Jennifer Zartman Romano, Brenda Saggars, DeVon Schuman, Laura Shank, Vicki Sprunger, Cheryl Stalter, Shirlee Tackwell, Steve Tackwell, Don Terman, Jill Usher, Joe A. Wagoner, Tim Weybright and Cheryl Wyatt.
In the end, three were selected, representing Columbia City, South Whitley and Churubusco, receiving a $1,000 grant to direct as they chose. Those selected for the honor included DeVon Schuman, Linda McCoy and Jim Hayes.
Talk of the Town hopes to bring you some of the beautiful tributes written by local residents nominating their friends and neighbors in the coming weeks.