Gene and Christina Schwindel Help Students Achieve

Gene and Christina Schwindel both came from hard-working families who learned how to make a dollar stretch to provide for their families and still have enough to share. Even as a youngster, Christina recalls her mother would grow lots of tomato plants so she could share with neighbors. Someone once suggested that her mother could make more money if she would sell the extra plants. Her mother, Christina remembers, said that it felt better to share.

On a summer day in 1955, Christina decided to spend the day swimming at the Conservation Club. She had a crush on young Gene and hoped he would be there. He was there but on a date, and Christina says with an air of mischief that she coaxed him away with an offer to drive her Dad's new truck. That was all it took. Gene and Christina were married a year later and recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Together they've raised four caring, thoughtful children-Eileen, Rex, Shawn and Gina.

They added to their already good fortune when, in 1996, Gene won the lottery! It was a lucky time for the family, something that they never expected. The Schwindels have lived in Saint Meinrad all their lives and still enjoy the friends and family that live close by. So they stayed in their same home and continued their favorite activities, like camping. When a friend asked if they planned to take a cruise with their newfound wealth, Chris grinned and said, "We already have! We took a pontoon ride down on Patoka Lake."

This sudden change in their financial situation, however, allowed them to do something they'd only dreamed of doing: create a scholarship to benefit local students. After talking with their accountant, they decided the Spencer County Community Foundation would provide the perfect vehicle to carry out their vision. They were attracted to the idea of endowment, knowing that with the Foundation's prudent stewardship of their gift, its proceeds would provide scholarships forever. They could leave a legacy that would last well beyond their own lifetimes.

In keeping with their already generous spirit, the Schwindels decided to establish two scholarships: one to benefit graduates of Heritage Hills High School and one to benefit Perry Central High School graduates. Over the past nine years, these funds have allowed for scholarships totaling more than $67,000. For Gene and Christina and their children the satisfaction is in knowing they are helping students achieve their educational goals. Chris beamed, "I just love reading the thank-you notes. The kids seem so appreciative. Sometimes they even write letters telling us about their dreams for the future."