After
an incredible outfit display at the annual Goshen Chamber of Commerce meeting,
Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and Chamber President Nick Kieffer raised close to
$10,000, which will be distributed to two local nonprofit organizations this
holiday season.
The
Mayor and Chamber President raised nearly $5,000, and the Community Foundation
of Elkhart County will be giving an additional $5,000. The donations will be
split evenly between Ryan’s Place and Ben’s House, two local nonprofit
organizations that work with grieving children and women in need of shelter,
respectively.
“Thank
you to the Community Foundation for matching the donations for the good of this
community and thank you to those who donated for supporting our local
organizations,” Mayor Stutsman said. “I’d also like to thank Nick Kieffer for
always being willing to support our community and finding ways fun while doing
it.”
About
two weeks leading up to the annual meeting, Mayor Stutsman challenged Kieffer
to a “Best Holiday Outfit Contest.” The goal of the contest was to raise
contributions for local nonprofit organizations or community initiatives.
Donations
were to be sent by the day before the annual meeting so the grand total would
be counted. If a minimum of $5,000 were raised, both Mayor Stutsman and Kieffer
would don their best Christmas outfits at the annual meeting. The day of the
meeting, the winner of the “Best Holiday Outfit Contest” would be named, and
the winner would later name the local group (or groups) to receive the
donation.
Although
the initial goal of $5,000 was not raised in time for the meeting, Mayor
Stutsman and Kieffer still turned the stage into an impromptu runway to show
off their extravagant ensembles.
The
Community Foundation offered to give an additional $5,000 at the event, and the
fundraiser continued until the week of December 16. A final donation that came
through the door this week, bringing the total raised close to $5,000.
“I
am always amazed by the generosity in this community,” Mayor Stutsman said. “I want
to invite anyone who is thinking giving this time of year, to please don’t
forget about our local organizations that serve our community year-round.”
Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and other elected officials will have their formal oath of office ceremonies at the following times and dates:
• Mayor Stutsman will be sworn in following the end-of-year category transfer meeting for the City Council. The meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 26 at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 111 E. Jefferson St.
• Clerk Treasurer-elect Adam Scharf will be sworn in at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1 in City Hall, 202 S. 5th St.
• Council members will be sworn in at the beginning of the first Council meeting of the year. The meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
