Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Sometimes a child can be a positive role model for adults.
That can be said of the recipient of the 2025 Heart of Gold Award, presented Wednesday at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) Annual Celebration at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.
In announcing 9-year-old Jefferson Elementary School student Mila Collier, Warsaw, as the award recipient, KCCF Board member Stephanie Bibler didn’t reveal who she was until the end of her comments. Bibler said, “I had the honor of serving on the Heart of Gold Committee this year. We reviewed many wonderful applications of those who have gone above and beyond this year to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
“This year’s Heart of Gold recipient has touched many lives already in our community. This person has shown an exceptional capacity for kindness and service to others. They truly embody what it means to have a heart of gold.”
Every year, Collier participates in the Kosciusko County Kids Business Fair, where each kid runs their own small business, not just to learn entrepreneurship, but to make a difference. Collier donates a portion of the proceeds to causes close to her heart, including the school’s lunch program to help students in need, the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County and the Fort Wayne Zoo.
Bibler said Collier’s community service extends well beyond the fair. She often sets up lemonade stands and uses her earnings to give back. She prepares snack packs for firefighters and EMS personnel, and delivers flowers to brighten someone’s day.
“Simple acts that leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet,” Bibler said.
In the classroom, Collier’s kindness is “just as remarkable,” she stated. Teachers describe her as deeply empathetic and observant, a student who notices when someone is upset, left our or in need. Collier is the first to offer a helping hand, share a snack or ask if a person is OK.
“Those small gestures create a culture of care that uplifts classmates and teachers alike,” Bibler said. “What is most inspiring is that their compassion comes naturally. No one asks them to help - this person simply sees a need and acts. Their gratitude for what they have, and desire to share it with others reminds us all that generosity is not measured by age or size, but by heart.
“Today, we proudly celebrate 9-year-old Mila Collier for her unwavering kindness, her joyful spirit of service and her powerful example that even the smallest voices can make a very big difference. She truly represents the spirit of this occasion - and is most deserving of the 2025 Heart of Gold Award.”
Collier will have the opportunity to recommend a $3,000 KCCF grant to an area nonprofit of her choice, in her honor.
Bibler told Collier, “Mila, you give us all something to aspire to when we all grow up, to be just like you.”
