Indalecio Ruiz came to this country from Mexico when he was 16 years old, dreaming of a better life. Shortly after meeting his wife, Celia Cantu, they married and raised 11 children in Chicago before moving to Northwest Indiana. The two worked hard their entire lives, teaching their children that anything can be done through hard work and determination. Creating a legacy of more than 80 souls who have become business owners, educators, and entrepreneurs – above all, American citizens.

America is a nation of immigrants, descendants of those who have come from somewhere else and made the land great. As it says on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The legacy of Indalecio Ruiz is the American dream personified.

This fund supports nonprofit organizations providing services to Lake County, Indiana families and individuals in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment and animal welfare, health, and other ever-changing community needs.

St. John native Fred Ruiz poses with his wife, Verna, their grandson, Ethan, and their great granddaughter Mia. When he donated to the Legacy Foundation’s Lake County Forever campaign, Fred Ruiz created a special fund in memory of his parents, Indalecio and Celia Ruiz, who often struggled to raise their 11 children.

“It was a hardscrabble existence, and we sometimes went to governmental organizations to help us make ends meet,” remembered Fred, who later went on to build the hugely successful Oak Partners financial services firm. “My parents really  didn’t receive a lot of help in raising us, but all of us succeeded and did very well.” Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, every donation to the Lake County Forever fund will be tripled. Fred and his wife, Verna, used the tripled amount of their donation to start the fund in his parents’ names to help people in need.

“We really wanted to help people in need and remember my parents,” Fred said. “I definitely encourage my friends to consider donating, for whatever motivations the may have.”