The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) awarded $79,350 in community grants and special awards at its annual Awards Presentation on June 15. Thirty-three local nonprofit organizations received funding in addition to the second annual presentation of the Joy Roth Little Tiger award.
“We are pleased to partner with these fine organizations to enable the remarkable services they provide to the people of Ottawa County. We congratulate them!” remarked OCCF Executive Director Shea McGrew.
The 2022 grant recipients honored include:
Arc of Ottawa County Summer enrichment camp for students with disabilities
Cancer Services Services and resources for cancer patients in Ottawa Co.
Catawba Island Historical Society Laser printer/portable sound system
Courageous Community Services Costs of camp for people with developmental disabilities
Cultivate the Clover of Ottawa County Camp counselor expenses, supplies, training
Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center 50 Shades of Purple outdoor painted awareness mural
Firelands Symphony Orchestra Free concerts in Port Clinton and Marblehead
Friends of Ottawa County Parks Support projects to promote Catawba Islander Bike Trail
Goodwill Industries Wellness program for employees with disabilities
Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council Construct beached fish for recycling bottles
Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County Home repairs and ramps for people in need
Jacob’s Joy Hospital care packages for those experiencing infant loss
Joyful Connections Supplies to build and maintain a raised garden bed
Lake Erie Foundation Interactive plastics and microplastics museum display
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy Great Lakes Island Alliance conference support
Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center Supplies for nature camp – South Bass & Middle Bass Is.
Lakeside Heritage Society Rehouse collections using preservation-quality materials
Light House Sober Living Sober recreational activities and healthy living activities
Luther Home of Mercy Disability-friendly book collection at Genoa Library
Marblehead Lighthouse Bicentennial Comm Concerts as part of Bicentennial at the Lighthouse
Musical Art Series Senior concerts and grandparents concerts
Oak Harbor Development Group “Oak Harbor Barkyard” – dog park materials
Oak House Create butterfly garden and expand existing garden
Ottawa Co. Ag. Society Animal & Me Showmanship for youth with disabilities
Ottawa Co. Family Advocacy Center Expand community garden and construct fruit stand
Ottawa Co. Museum Frame two prints and purchase printer
Ottawa Co. Transitional Housing Construct garden for Ruth Ann’s House families
Otterbein SeniorLife Marblehead Pickleball and shuffleboard courts and putting green
Port Clinton Firefighters Assoc. Thermal imaging camera for firefighters
Project Noelle Kids’ support group materials/training, clothing
PIB Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Signage for new brand “An Everyday Island Getaway”
Salvation Army 5-day overnight Camp NEOSA for 31 at-risk children
United Way in Ottawa County Dolly Parton Imagination Library for children 0-5 yrs.
Funding for these grants was made possible from earnings from several unrestricted Community Funds and Donor Advised Funds held by OCCF, including the Kenneth and Naomi Akins Family Fund, Bob and Grace Armbruster Fund, Beck Family Fund, Earl J. Johnson Fund, Jane Ellen Gulau Fund, Joseph and Eleanor Kokinda Fund, OCCF Fund, Lenore Peterson-Blackburn Fund, Dr. James I. and Priscilla Rhiel Fund, Paul H. Rofkar Fund, Harry Stensen Memorial Fund and Dave and Jeanne Thierwechter Fund.
Numerous 2022 donations also supported the community grants program assisting a variety of county efforts in the fields of health, safety, human services, education, the environment and the arts.
In addition to distributing the annual community grant awards, OCCF presented the Little Tiger Award to Christy’s Corner Café in Elmore to honor the legacy of Joy Roth, founder and long-time President of OCCF. Joy passed away unexpectedly in July 2020, and the OCCF Board sought to establish a special recognition in her memory.
According to OCCF Past President Jan Preston, “Joy was an avid fan of the Auburn University Tigers football team, and she was known by her family and friends to be somewhat of a “little tiger” herself. Thus, the Joy Roth Little Tiger Award was created to recognize similar champions who go above and beyond to give back to the community.”
Christy’s Corner Café helps pave the way to long-term employment through job training while inspiring a culture of acceptance and awareness within the community. Kathy Barbee, the founder of Engaging Opportunities Foundation which operates the café, accepted the award on behalf of the nonprofit organization.
“Joy loved to visit Christy’s Corner Café and wanted to see them succeed. We often would take a trip to Elmore for coffee or breakfast and to see how they were doing,” said Mr. Jeff Roth, Joy’s husband and the donor of the $500 cash award given to an honored nonprofit annually.
Established in 1999, Ottawa County Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created to enrich the quality of life throughout Ottawa County. With more than 100 funds and assets of more than $12 million, the Foundation provides annual community grants and scholarships, while offering philanthropic services for individuals, businesses and organizations.