Riverview Health and Noblesville High School ThankBank, a club focused on recognizing outstanding community members for their gifts to Noblesville, recently hosted a ceremony to honor Isabelle Harger.
Harger is a long-time resident of Noblesville who has volunteered in the community for more than 50 years, including at Riverview Health.
“We were glad to help in organizing a special ceremony for Isabelle,” stated Susan Beckwith, Volunteer Services Manager at Riverview Health. “Our volunteers generously give their time to Riverview Health without expecting anything in return, so we’re grateful for the opportunity to give back and recognize their service.“
Harger volunteered with the Red Cross beginning in 1959. She then became part of the Boys and Girls Club auxiliary group as a “mom” for children at the club. As part of Tri Kappa Delta women’s sorority, Harger helped donate hundreds of items of clothing to girls in need of clothes and helped raise money for local schools.
Harger went on to serve as the vice president and president of Tri Kappa Delta. From there she became the longest-serving volunteer at Riverview Health after founding the hospital’s chaplaincy program in 1964 and serving as the first chairperson, as well as serving as an original member of the hospital’s Auxiliary Board and chairman of the Gray Ladies of the Hospital.
NHS 2014 graduate Pete Freeman created ThinkBank as a way for students to show appreciation to mentors and community members.
“It’s predicated around thanking the unsung heroes of Noblesville – firefighters, stay at home moms,” he said. “It is a creative way to say ‘thank you’ because so many people deserve a ‘thank you’ that don’t get one. It’s just such a cool feeling.”
Freeman said the organization chose to thank Harger for her half century of community service. “She is an outstanding woman and matriarch of a family with deep Noblesville roots. Isabelle’s mural took 18 full months to create,” he said.
ThankBank’s three student artists – Erin Shales, Katie Robertson and Aaron Byrd – sketched the original design and painted the mural.
“We couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” Freeman said. “More importantly, Isabelle was beaming when we unveiled her mural. The three artists and I agreed that her reaction was the ultimate reward.”
The mural will be displayed at NHS to inspire students with Harger’s service and passion for education.
