Step Up For Charity

Who Am I Helping?

Each of the following charitable organizations hold special meaning to Jim and  benefit from his ongoing fund raising efforts.

Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on the morning of September 11. He was serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army. He was also Jim's brother-in-law.

With the support of Gen. Maude's family and the Army Chief of Staff, a memorial scholarship foundation was established in Gen. Maude's honor to continue his efforts to "take care of soldiers."

The foundation provides resources to assist soldiers enrolled in the Army's Green to Gold program, which provides outstanding active duty enlisted soldiers the opportunity to attend college and be commissioned through ROTC.

Jason Baker was a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in the line of duty on September 17, 2001. The fund was established in 2002 by Jason’s parents in memory of his dedication to service, community and country.

The fund is managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation and provides scholarship assistance for high school seniors intending to pursue a career in public safety. The award is renewable each year while the recipient is attending school. Jerry Baker chairs the scholarship selection committee.

Irwin Mortgage has teamed up with Mild to Wild Pepper & Herb to help provide funds to these programs through the sale of Mild to Wild hot sauce at various events throughout the state of Indiana.

The Jim Cleek Scholarship Fund is named in honor of one of Jim's fellow firefighters who lost a battle with skin cancer. It goes to the children of Pike firefighters (after a competitive application process) to help them in their studies, fields of public service preferred.