Cass Co. Tractor Club Gives $6K
Published: Friday, April 18, 2025
The Tip Wa Antique Tractor and Engine Club last Tuesday donated $6,000 to Cass County (Ind.) organizations in honor of the community support of club members. A total of 13 checks were given out.
Recipients included: Anoka Community Church, Cass County 4-H, Cass County Community Foundation, Galveston Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis Cass FFA, Lewis Cass Band, Lucerne Volunteer Fire Department, Miss Cass County Pageant, Royal Center Volunteer Fire Department, Walton Library, Walton Police Department, Walton Volunteer Fire Department and Young America Volunteer Fire Department.
"Whenever we have the chance to donate and make people's lives better, make their jobs safer and foster the youth in this community, then I think that's the right reason for having an antique tractor club," said Tip Wa Antique Tractor and Engine Club President Dean McCloskey. "It's not about the tractors. If I wanted to see tractors, I'd walk out in the back yard. It's about the people."
The club presented 11 $500 checks and two $250 donations to the above organizations. Each organization was represented at the meeting.
Tom Heflin of Walton Police Department thanked the club for their donation and said the money would be put toward drug intervention in Walton.
"We're going to put this toward good use. We're very proactive on drug intervention," he said. "We make some great fentanyl and meth arrests, all level two felonies."
He said Walton is along the main corridor (U.S. 35) between Chicago and Kokomo for drug trafficking.
The department also provides security for the club during their annual tractor show.
"Every year when the month of September comes along, they provide nightly security and police presence," McCloskey said. "They've never let us down."
The area fire departments plan to use the money to fund new cadet programs, update equipment and introduce new training. Cass County 4-H will fund a tractor safety program for youths and boost the junior leaders program. Other intentions from the various organizations include: updated resources, improved or new programs for community members, and increased education.
"These agencies and organizations are a sampling of hard-working, dedicated Cass County groups that provide safety, education, comfort, philanthropy and protection to thousands of individuals throughout the area," McCloskey said in a social media post.
The club held a brief informational meeting, discussing member updates, future events, mechanical parts and passing out a tractor and equipment catalog. The group also hosted a cake and ice cream social for members and check recipients following the meeting.
The next meeting is May 13 at the Walton Public Library.
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