Deb Garlock wanted to do something special for her father’s 90th birthday celebration. Known for his support in the Rush County community, Garlock decided to honor her father, Jim Payne, by establishing the Jim Payne Family Community Fund.
“To me, a community is meaningless, unless you are involved in it,” Payne said. “And becoming a part of the community is being involved.”
Payne is a champion of community involvement, and for many years, he has volunteered with the Chamber of commerce, Rotary Club, Fraternal Order of the Elks, Homer Festival and much more. He even was an early member of the Economic Development team that established the industrial park in 2014. He continues to volunteer with the Rush County Health Department to this day.
He also played a pivotal role in RCCF’s establishment. In the early years of RCCF, Payne contributed his business’s available office space to the organization to perform daily operations, allowing RCCF’s founders to create an organization that would help Rush County for decades. Without an office space, RCCF’s beginning would have been more arduous. In that same year, he and his wife, Sylvia were among the first individuals to donate to RCCF. Through his donations, Payne helped solidify RCCF’s permanence within the community. He and his wife were named RCCF Pioneers in 1993 for their generosity.
“I love that his legacy of serving and improving our hometown will now continue well into the future,” said Garlock.
Through supporting the community, he instilled that great love and passion in his children too. Garlock has made contributions to RCCF through her graduating class’s fund, memorial funds, Schroeder Fund for the sustainability of the Love Community Center and now, she has helped create the Jim Payne Family Community Fund. This fund is an unrestricted fund that aims to support local nonprofits to meet the arising needs of the community, continuing to fulfill the Payne family’s love of community involvement.
Like many others in Rush County, Payne dreamed big for his hometown. He was one of the early proponents of Rushville’s Love Community Center, and despite skepticism from others, his dream was unhindered. Because of visionaries like him, the Love Community Center was built. Since its recent opening, Payne’s daughter Kathy volunteers at the Community Center, carrying on her family’s support of the project.
“I believe the early grassroots efforts of people like my parents, folks who worked hard and believed in this town, set the example for and inspired others to also work hard and believe. The result being, a revitalized community which is defying the odds for success,” said Garlock.
Garlock was inspired to present the fund to her father after touring the Love Community Center for the first time.
“I was surprised and really kind of speechless. I was very honored, and especially since it was made as a family contribution,” said Payne. “I like the idea that it’s forever. It will continue contributing to the community. The Foundation, I think, is a fantastic organization, and again, it’s a tremendous asset for the community and not only for the city but for the whole county. I’m just very honored and pleased that the fund will be able to contribute and keep going.”
With 34 unrestricted funds, like the Jim Payne Family Community Fund, RCCF aims to provide for any organization in the county to support the community. In 2024, 11 organizations: the City of Rushville Fire and Rescue, Rushville Township Volunteer Fire Department, Rushville Regional Theatre, Gleaners Food Bank, First 5, Servants at Work, Rushville American Legion Post 150, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville for programming in Rush County Schools, Rush County 4-H Horse and Pony, Firefly Children and Family Alliance and The Giving Krue received support from Community Grants. This year’s $155,000 unrestricted fund payouts help to make a difference across communities. RCCF’s goal to support Rush County would be greatly diminished without the help of generous donors, like the Payne family.
To join the Payne family’s efforts to support Rush County, visit rushcountyfoundation.org/donate.
