PORT CLINTON - After the recent awarding for $53,000 in grant funding to other local charities, the Ottawa County Community Foundation’s new management is looking to have an even bigger impact going forward.
The late Joy Roth, who passed away unexpectedly last July, established the Ottawa County Community Foundation in 1999 as a public charitable organization under the Toledo Community Foundation.
Roth also served as the foundation’s president up until her passing and was known by all those around her as its fiercest fighter in their effort to share and deliver the product of the community’s generosity into the hands of those who needed it most, or as it is summed up in their mission statement, “Doing Good. Forever.”
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Two-decade effort will carry on
But now, following the deeply felt loss of Roth, the OCCF’s board of directors decided to not only keep that momentum she built over two decades going, but wish to grow on it in her honor and to continue her tremendous legacy of giving back.
As new president of the OCCF board Jan Preston put it, their mission is now to continue her mission. “Forever,” she said.
Joy’s husband, Jeff Roth, said she would be so happy knowing the foundation’s other organizers and volunteers have made the decision to keep going even in her absence.
Taking up the mantle of the OCCF’s management has been new the executive director, Shea McGrew, who was hired this spring and began in April.
McGrew said one of his primary goals for the organization is beefing up fundraising efforts, garnering even more support to have an even bigger positive impact within the community.
McGrew said has spent much of his first few months with the foundation getting to know the community, elected officials, nonprofits, media and others, and has been very encouraged.
“The theme I’ve been hearing here as I talk to folks is such a great optimism,” he said.
While McGrew admitted some of that may be due to finally recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the era of social distancing, masks and isolation, but stressed there also has been something more below the surface.
“One person said to me, ‘You can see it and feel it.’ There’s a momentum and a spirit there that says something about the distinctiveness of (Ottawa County) and the community,” McGrew said. “And I sense it, too, just since April.”
He added it is already “remarkable” just how much good the many local nonprofit organizations and agencies do with what are often very “slim” budgets and limited resources.
Agencies whose causes are furthered because of grand funds
With the help of the OCCF, a total of 35 nonprofits operating in Ottawa County have new projects and other efforts they will now be able to complete this year. Those are:
• Catawba Island Historical Society: Video camera and microphone.
• Clothing Corral, Inc.: Purchase packages of new underwear for clients.
• Community Christian Academy: Renovation of school windows, HVAC system, entrance.
• Concerned Citizens for Oak Harbor: Purchase 3 refrigerators and 2 ranges.
• Cultivate the Clover: Train 40 teens in the 4-H Camp Counselor Training Program.
• Engaging Opportunities Foundation: Expand job training, skill development for Christy's Café.
• Firelands Symphony Orchestra: Present 4 small ensemble concerts in Port Clinton/Lakeside.
• Friends of Ottawa Nat'l Wildlife Refuge: Create accessible nature trail.
• Genoa Area Community Food Pantry: Purchase carts/storage bins to transport food pantry products.
• Girl Scouts of Western Ohio: Provide financial assistance/virtual learning opportunities.
• Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County: Purchase a StopSaw for safety of volunteers.
• Joyful Connections: Provide Crisis Prevention Institute training and first aid training.
• Lake Erie Islands Conservancy: Great Lakes Islands Alliance annual conference/Oct. 2021.
• Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Ctr.: Create geology, migratory bird, and beehive exhibits.
• Lakeside Heritage Society: Professionally digitize historical documents and photographs.
• Light House Sober Living: Provide sober and healthy activities for individuals in recovery.
• Luther Home of Mercy: Renewal and expansion of Pack 928, Boy Scouts of America.
• Magruder Hospital: Purchase meals upon discharge to patients and caregivers.
• Main Street Port Clinton: Purchase items to implement a COVID plan for 2021 events.
• Musical Arts Series: Provide 6 concerts at senior residential facilities.
• Oak House: Increase accessible technology to members.
• Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center: Repair and replace outdated technology.
• Ottawa County Family & Children First: Purchase a fax machine/larger printer.
• Ottawa County Museum: Frames for prints, shadow boxes and 2 mannequins for displays.
• P.C. City Schools Champions for Children: After school program emphasizing STEM.
• Port Clinton Fire Fighters Association: Purchase equipment for American Heart Assoc. training program.
• Riverview Industries Inc.: Continue remodel of Adult Day Services spaces.
• Salvation Army: Provide rent, mortgage, utility assistance for those in need.
• St. Thomas Episcopal Church: Increase meal bags from 60 to 100 per month.
• Terra College Foundation: Enable Titan Kids Club programs to students in Ottawa County.
• United Way in Ottawa County: Provide books for 320 children/Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
• Bistro 163 (Joy Roth Little Tiger Award): Provide meals for those in need.
jstinchcom@gannett.com
419-680-4897
Twitter: @JonDBN
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Community Foundation looks to beef up fundraising, keep legacy moving forward - Port Clinton News Herald
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