Auxier, Hamilton, and Vonderheide honored for contributions to the community
photo contributed
(Jefferson County, Girls Inc)
Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, IN held its 20th annual “She Knows Where She’s Going” Luncheon on Tues., March 7. This was the first time in two years that the event was able to be held in person, due to previous COVID restrictions. Three women, all Madison natives, were honored for their contributions to the community: Elizabeth Auxier, Shelly Hamilton and Betsey Vonderheide.
Auxier is the owner and operator of Auxier Marketing. In 2016, she partnered with her husband, Charles Requet III, to create the nonprofit Friends of the Ohio Theatre to acquire the theater and preserve Madison’s cinematic heritage . After a devastating roof fire shuttered the venue in June 2018, the theater was able to reopen in 2022. Auxier and Friends of the Ohio Theatre has worked with more than 100 volunteers and dozens of community groups to provide movies, concerts, plays and other events at the venue.
Hamilton is the only certified Water Safety Instructor in the region, and has made it her lifelong passion to teach swimming lessons and lifeguarding classes to ensure area pools are safe recreational choices with qualified lifeguards. A teacher and swim coach with Southwestern Schools, she is also actively involved with youth programs and mission work at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Vonderheide began her career as a news writer at WORX radio during summers while she was in college. She and her husband later owned and operated 411 Flowers on Main Street in Madison. Additionally, she was community relations director of King’s Daughters’ Health, followed by 13 years working as special projects director at the City of Madison for Mayor Al Huntington, and time as an environmental educator for the Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District.
Mary G. Clashman was a memorial honoree. Clashman was founder of Madison’s Riverfront Development committee as well as founder and president of the Jefferson County Animal Welfare Fund. She was a life member of both the (Madison) Salvation Army Advisory and the Nature Conservancy.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the local Girls Inc. The nonprofit provides after-school, outreach, and summer programming for girls ages 5 to 18. The organization offers members a variety of activities, from science experiments and homework assistance to cooking and economic literacy. There is a focus on its core essential services of academic enrichment and support, healthy living, and life skills, and a mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
For more information about Girls Inc. and its programs, visit www.girlsincjc-in.org, or call the center at (812) 265-5863.
PHOTO Honorees: Pictured, from left to right, Shelly Hamilton, Betsey Vonderheide, and Elizabeth Auxier.
PHOTO Honorees w/Girls: Pictured, from left to right, honoree Shelly Hamilton, honoree Betsey Vonderheide, members Hayden Campbell, Lucy Marcelle, Ava Overfield, Olivia Hollihan, Emily Curl, and Hannah Copeland, and honoree Elizabeth Auxier.
Girls Inc. of Jefferson County, IN
109 W. Third St.,
Madison, IN 47250
Phone: (812) 265-5863
Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlsinc.jeffco.in
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