Fund Est. 2007
Fred, a well-known Berne businessman, says he has experienced a great level of success by following a few simple pieces of advice from people he greatly admired:
*(1) “Take the risk of changing professions”
(“Take advantage of the freedom to fail: Not all the decisions we make will be right…but we hope we make more right decisions than wrong.”)
*(2) “Communities do not run themselves: Get involved.”
*(3) “Give and experience the joy of generosity.”
Fred and Sonia met when they were students at Bluffton College. Sonia majored in music, and Fred majored in agriculture economics. They got married shortly out of college and moved to Berne, IN. Fred and Sonia have four children: Alicia (married to John Stapleton), Cari (married to JB Hoy), Trent (married to Brenda), and Megan (married to Jeff Linthium).
(*1) In 1970, Art and Carl Muselman offered Fred the option to buy and manage Smith Brothers Furniture (SBF) of Berne. He took that risk and has been well-rewarded. Working closely with brother, Steve, SBF president, Fred is now vice president.
*(2) Sonia and Fred both give to their communities in various ways. Fred has been a long-time member of Berne Rotary, the Swiss Heritage Society, the Berne Chamber of Commerce, and the Adams County Community Foundation (Board of Director and Finance Committee).
*(3) Both are active with their church, the First Mennonite Church in Berne. Both have been Sunday School teachers and Sonia has played the piano for 50+ years. Locally, Sonia volunteers at the Et Cetera Ecke in Berne.
Taking advantage of an ACCF $1 for $1 match, Fred and Sonia established this ACCF Community Enrichment fund. The grant from this fund will continue to award grants to assist local not-for-profit organizations serving Adams County residents for ever.