519 N. Main
Kokomo, IN 46901
Hope
Late one evening in the early '80s, while Jan Buechler was sorting through the boxes and bags of the daily donated items, a small doll fell out of one bag. Instantly the look on the doll's face touched the hearts of those working. In the silence of the moment, everyone knew the doll would touch the hearts of the community.
Her dress was wrinkled, her hair a mess, and a stain on her face had once held a tear. She was named Hope.
She immediately took her place on the set for the annual WE CARE telethon. At the conclusion of the 1986 telethon, in one spontaneous act, Hope was the last item offered for bid. She was purchased and then unexpectedly returned the following year to be sold again. A tradition began which has established Hope as a special part of a community that shares its love and resources unselfishly.
A likeness of Hope has been featured on various artwork, coins, jewelry, and clothing. She has won the hearts of the community but has been privileged to be held by just a very few.
Hope Donations Through The Years
| 1986 | Larry & Betty McKinny | $1,750 |
| 1987 | Pete Hill | $700 |
| 1988 | Toby Hoffman | $1,400 |
| 1989 | (not returned) | $1,650 |
| 1990 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $2,100 |
| 1991 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $10,500 |
| 1992 | Bill Fortune & Thrifty Muffler | $17,500 |
| $10,000 | ||
| 1993 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $17,500 |
| Plus Fortune Management Donated | ||
| 1994 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $28,000 |
| $25,000 | ||
| 1995 | Chrysler Transmission & AVI Employees | $84,111 |
| plus Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman donated | $25,000 | |
| 1996 | Chrysler Transmission & AVI Employees | $68,204 |
| plus Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman donated | ||
| 1997 | Chrysler Transmission & AVI Employees | $55,000 |
| $50,754 | ||
| 1998 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $17,500 |
| plus Chrysler Transmission & AVI Employees donated | $15,000 | |
| 1999 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $25,000 |
| plus Chrysler Hope Fund | ||
| 2000 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $5,000 |
| 2001 | Dave McKinney | $7,500 |
| 2002 | Scot & Ginny DeLon | $5,100 |
| 2003 | Bill Flynn | $15,000 |
| 2004 | Rich & Sigrid Schwartz | $25,000 |
| 2005 | Rich & Sigrid Schwartz | $25,000 |
| 2006 | Jr. & Carolyn Zimmerman | $5,000 |
| plus Rich & Sigrid Schwartz donated | $10,000 | |
| 2007 | Junior Zimmerman | $8,000 |
| 2008 | Junior Zimmerman | $3,500 |
| 2009 | Scot and Virginia DeLon | $6,500 |
| Scot and Virginia DeLon | $5,200 | |
| 2010 | ||
| plus the Zimmerman family donated | $5,000 | |
| 2011 | Scot and Virginia DeLon | $3,000 |
| Total Donations: | $585,469 |
