Wawasee Property Owner’s Association plays a big part of the lakes community and is a supporter of a number of organizations and programs.It was the WPOA who has been instrumental in helping make sure the lake area is protected when emergencies occur. It has helped install dry hydrants, a pump and dump station at the Wawasee Family Fishing boat ramp and helped with the purchase of fire equipment to name a few. It was also instrumental in acquiring the severe weather warning systems, tested the first Saturday of each month and additional support of the local fire territory in its endeavors to protect property and lives of residents. WPOA also works hand in hand with additional organizations for the betterment of the lake area. WPOA seeks to keep lake activities safe, as well as fun. It works closely with the Department of Natural Resources and through the Wawasee Lake Patrol, a part of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and it promotes safety on the lakes. The WPOA maintains several boats for use by the Wawasee Lake Patrol. This patrol group is manned by volunteers who reside on the lake and can be seen patrolling the lake throughout the summer months. These volunteers are deputized and have arrest powers, but focus more on promoting safety.The organization provides continuing support to the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails and its endeavors to connect the town of Syracuse to Lake Wawasee, through walking/bicycle trails. Its support is by raising funds through the sales of art pieces. The art has been donated by artists Teresa Altemeyer and Mike and Sue Wells, who are Lake Wawasee residents. The various prints, showing life on the lake, are available to purchase at The Water Lily Gallery in Syracuse. The profits are then donated toward creating more trails around the lake community.The association is a participant in the Syracuse Lake control structure and works with Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and Watershed Task Force to keep the state’s largest natural lake water safe.Each year the association publishing the “WPOA Neighbors” a directory of homes around the lake and pertinent information for the area. It also publishes a newsletter “Lake Views” for its membership four times a year of events and news relating to the lake and surrounding area.Its community involvement also includes not only providing funding for educational projects in local schools but also offering a scholarship through Wawasee High School, awarding the scholarship based on academics and community service.The WPOA-David F. Lichtenauer Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation as an endowment fund in 2010. Lichtenauer’s leadership paved the way for the WPOA to play an active role in giving back to the community through many projects that enhance not only Lake wawasee but the surrounding areas.WPOA hosts an annual breakfast in conjunction with Syracuse Lake Association and hosts the annual fireworks display on Wawasee during the Fourth of July weekend. This year the fireworks will be July 1.Anyone is welcome to attend any of the WPOA board meetings. Guests and members are invited to express their thoughts and concerns. Meetings are ordinarily held at the WACF pavilion. This summer’s meeting schedule will be June 11, July 8 and Sept. 9.Upcoming events for the WPOA include: The WPOA/SLA annual breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. June 24, at Oakwood Resort. The annual Wawasee Fireworks on Saturday, July 1.The annual dinner meeting, and naming of the association’s Chief Award recipient, will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19, on the S.S. Lilly Pad. Call the WPOA at (574) 457-7172 for reservations or for more information.Kay Young, WPOA president, oversees the board of directors in which members are involved in legislative issues, orderly development, water quality, lake patrol, communications and more.Find out more about the WPOA and the various activities it supports by visiting www.wawaseepoa.org.