A meeting of those interested in the program locally was held Friday morning (Dec. 9) in Winamac. Good, an owner of Good Oil of Winamac, explained the effort several entities in the county have been partnering on to make a positive impact on the community.

"BP has made block amounts of money available to donate to approved causes which their marketers nominate," Good explained. "Good Oil Company has chosen to add additional money to BP’s donation to increase the ability to positively impact the community."

He explained that  BP’s commitment is for three years, Good Oil Company will partner with BP for those three years and hopes to continue supporting these efforts over a longer period of time, regardless if BP continues the project.

Good Oil identified the Pulaski County Community Foundation as the recipient with the intent that it would be split into several different causes. The decision was made to split the money to support three causes; an existing “Giving Back Scholarship” which was co-founded by Don & Margaret Good and Paul & Brenda Gilsinger after each couple had a child win the Lily Scholarship, a new youth philanthropy program aimed at introducing young people to the concept and the benefits of philanthropic endeavors, and a medical scholarship aimed at improving community health opportunities.

"While scholarships funded by individuals and businesses are not unique, the fact this scholarship brings
an international company (BP), together with a local business, to partner with a local health care provider,
local educators, and an philanthropic agency with the intent to fill a need at a local level while providing
local youth a path to gainful employment back in the county after they complete their education adds a valuable dimension," Good explained. "It is the hope of all involved that this project will provide a template for other businesses to work with the local schools and the community foundation to address the issue of 'brain drain' in the county."

The main focus of the medical scholarship will be to provide a self sustaining scholarship though PCCF
to a student in a Pulaski County School to help with the costs of attending a two- or four-year college or
technical school with the possibility of returning to work in healthcare in Pulaski County. The intent is to establish a partnership between Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Eastern Pulaski Schools, West Central
Schools, The Pulaski County Community Foundation, Good Oil Company, and BP to maximize the effort and impact.

"That partnership can serve as a model where through the collaboration of business, educators, and the community foundation we can create an opportunity for local students to gain the proper education and return to the community where they can be gainfully employed and help fill the needs of local businesses," Good said. "It is our vision that PMH identifies areas of need in healthcare in the county, and both high schools communicate those needs as opportunities to students through the educational system, and Good Oil Company and BP provide financial assistance through the community foundation. PMH and educators would work together to offer students the chance to explore opportunities in healthcare and to begin to form a relationship with county providers."

In addition the Good Oil Company will contribute additional funding and in-kind donations to promote the scholarship, the partnership, and the community foundation. The promotion will include use of Good Oil Company's current advertising resources such as billboards, print and broadcast media, and through funding material developed and approved by the partnership, and made available through the school systems.

The scholarship would be available to qualified students for two- and four-year programs. There will be a special focus on the areas PMH sees as a need that the county has such as imaging, radiology, etc.
many of which are two-year degrees. Scholarship applicants would apply through their respective school
guidance counselor.

PMH and the two school corporations may choose to explore mentoring, shadowing, or other programs
to interest students in health careers and/or the scholarship. Good Oil would be willing to consider helping financially with this initiative either as part of the original project or separately as appropriate.

The successful applicant would be chosen after evaluating the following criteria and considerations.

• 1. A current high school student in good standing at one of the Counties two school corporations.
• 2. Academic achievement, disciplinary history, and social involvement will be considered.
• 3. An indication of a desire to be employed in an area of need as identified by PMH will receive special consideration.
• 4. An indication of a desire or commitment to return to Pulaski County after completing their education will receive preferential consideration.
• 5. Special consideration will be given to achieve or impact diversity in the medical community in Pulaski County, for an example a male nursing applicant would receive preference due tothe lack of male RN’s in Pulaski County.

Don Good is available to provide more information on the proposed program or answer any questions. He may be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .