United Way of Greater Lafayette celebrates 100 years of volunteers

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE, Ind. − United Way of Greater Lafayette celebrated 100 years of volunteers this week with an awards ceremony.

Imogene Faught, a 94-year-old Lafayette-area volunteer, was shocked this week when she was honored with United Way's lifetime of service award.

Dozens of volunteers with the organization's partners were recognized with certificates while a few specially chosen volunteers were given trophies for their above-and-beyond volunteer work.

Marcile Eddy Shining Light Award

Imogene Faught smiles after being announced as the recipient of the Marcile Eddy Shining Light Award during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.
Imogene Faught smiles after being announced as the recipient of the Marcile Eddy Shining Light Award during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.

Arguably the most notable award of the ceremony was the Marcile Eddy Shining Light Award.

Lafayette's United Way CEO David Bathe explained the significance of this award.

"Marcile Eddy, some of you may have known Marcile, she was known as the founder of the Greater Lafayette Volunteer Bureau," Bathe said. "She was dubbed as being the heart and soul of volunteerism in Greater Lafayette.

"This award showcases those who commit the time throughout their life to support others in the community, to have an impact that is valuable to organizations and all of the individuals that they serve over time and change lives," Bathe said.

This award was presented to Faught, who has volunteered in the community since 1982.

"(I'm) quite honored," Faught said. "I'm just really shaking because I had no idea that that's what was going on. Very surprised."

Faught has volunteered in Tippecanoe County and in her winter home of Florida for more than 40 years. She spends time with Miami Elementary School, her local church and daycare work. Faught said she has no plans on stopping her volunteer work any time soon.

"As long as the Lord keeps me healthy, I'll just still be any service serving others," Faught said.

A history of volunteerism

Sean Lutes speaks during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.
Sean Lutes speaks during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.

Sean Lutes, president of Lafayette's Historical Preservation Commission, opened the ceremony with a history of some well-known volunteers from the past, including Helen Gougar, whose volunteer work paved the way for the women's suffrage movement.

"By the 1870s, the matter of suffrage, to extend the rights of votes to women, became quite important to Helen," Lutes said. "Upon learning the death of a mother ... from domestic violence, and because it happened within marriage, legal recourse was extremely limited.

"Incidents like this convinced her that it would be more effective to vote it away (as opposed to 'praying away evil') … Gauger threw herself deep into her effort, quickly developing a strong reputation within the community for her relentless volunteerism for the suffragists (movement)."

Volunteer awards

Flyers sit on tables during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.
Flyers sit on tables during the United Way Greater Lafayette 100 Years of Volunteers event, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Outpost Catering in Lafayette, Ind.

Volunteers were recognized for the effort they put toward the community. Organizations that were recognized for their volunteers included:

  • Joyful Journey

  • National Alliance of Mental Illness of West Central Indiana

  • The Salvation Army

  • Food Finders Food Bank

  • Meals on Wheels Greater Lafayette

  • Lafayette Transitional Housing Center homeless services

  • Tippecanoe County Health Department

  • Legal Aid Corp.

  • Franciscan Health

  • Millie's Mission Inc.

  • The Arc of Tippecanoe

  • YWCA Greater Lafayette

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: United Way of Lafayette awards for Imogene Fraught life of volunteering