Heritage Fund recognizes community award recipients

Rob Gaskill, former director of Community Corrections for Bartholomew County, and nonprofit Sandi’s Closet have been recognized as the 2025 recipients of two community awards.
Gaskill was honored recently by the Heritage Fund Board of Directors with the Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Hero Award, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions of everyday local heroes — those who have performed life-saving measures, come to the aid of another or contributed to the safety, security and resiliency of our community. Gaskill was nominated for his commitment to the safety, security and resiliency of the community in his instrumental work with the department and successes with implementing two residential substance abuse treatment programs that have provided critical support to individuals in need. He was praised for encouraging program participants to live productive lives while in recovery from addiction and for his commitment to making the community safer by helping to change lives. Gaskill has spent his entire career serving the community, and colleagues complimented his positive attitude, problem-solving, leadership and willingness to support them with a collaborative spirit. He received a $5,000 award.
Sandi’s Closet Founder and President Jill Tasker also was honored with the Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Leadership Project of the Year Award for the nonprofit organization that provides enriching activities for those living with dementia and resources for caregivers and the community. The award promotes and recognizes an organization or project in the community that exemplifies the Columbus community leadership values, including high aspirations, Welcoming Community, public-private partnerships, best value, collaboration, the value of good design, forward-thinking, lifelong learning and service to others, while addressing a pressing need or opportunity to improve the quality of life in Bartholomew County. Volunteer-run Sandi’s Closet, inspired by Tasker’s mother, was recognized for providing enriching opportunities for those living with dementia. Through free pop-up shops in memory-care units and adult day care settings that replicate counters in department stores, participants are able to again enjoy the fun of shopping, promoting a positive experience and often memory recall of past purchases as well as Tasker and her team. Sandi’s Closet continues to gain in popularity and is currently being offered in eight counties at more than 18 facilities, including several in Bartholomew County. The nonprofit also has started Sandi’s Singers, a pilot choir program focusing on those with dementia residing at home and their caregivers as a way to connect through music and help with memory and emotional well-being. More than 20 participants currently are attending. The organization received a $10,000 award to further its charitable mission.
The two annual awards were established at Heritage Fund by the estate of longtime Columbus residents and philanthropists Donald and Catherine Jurgemeyer to honor noteworthy heroes and projects in the community. Donald Jurgemeyer was senior vice president of the trust department of Irwin Union Bank for 12 years and practiced law in his Columbus firm for 29 years. He served as legal counsel for the community foundation in its early years. Catherine Jurgemeyer served as president of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation and chaired the American Bar Auxiliary and the Indiana Lawyers Auxiliary.
For more information, contact Laura Garrett, director of Community Impact, at lgarrett@heritagefundbc.org.