Ottawa County Community Foundation Celebrates 25 Years
The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) invites friends across the county to attend its second Doing Good Gala, “Cheers to 25 Years.” The live auction fundraiser will be held at Catawba Island Club (CIC) Pavilion, Tuesday, July 23, 6 pm – sunset. Proceeds will help OCCF’s countywide efforts to support nonprofit organizations and local students through annual community grants and scholarships.
“Our Gala event will not only help us to help those in need, but it will be a night to remember,” says Gala Chairman Michael Schenk. “Bottom line, this event will be a blast with a sunset finale at CIC! Please plan to join us and support our efforts to extend a helping hand in our community.
In April 1999, the Foundation became a reality when visionary leader Joy Roth signed the Articles of Incorporation with charter members Robert Armbruster, Ellen Bergman, Derrill Hablitzel, Thomas Salamone, and Bart Anderson. OCCF helps donors make gifts to meet vital community needs focusing on the fields of education, health and social services, economic development, natural resources and the arts. Joy’s husband, Jeff Roth, remembers how it all started.
“Joy had a dream of starting a community foundation to help those in need in the community,” says Roth. “The Foundation has continued to grow, thanks to the friends of Ottawa County. After 25 years, it remains vibrant and is building an endowment for the future and ‘Doing Good. Forever’.”
Throughout its first quarter century, OCCF provided more than $7 million in nonprofit grants and scholarships. A primary goal in 2024 is to think ahead, financially, so that OCCF may continue to sustain itself operationally and as a community provider.
The gala fundraiser will include a casual strolling supper, high-energy dueling pianos by the Cleveland Keys, a live auction, and a reverse raffle (need not be present to win). Auction items include a two-night stay for four at Alexander Valley Vineyards Historic Schoolhouse in Sonoma, CA.; four Cleveland Cavs tickets with a two-night stay in a Warehouse District condo; and Cleveland Browns tickets on the 50-yard line.
Also on the auction block is a Lake Erie Islands package with overnight dockage at the Crews Nest, a three-night stay at a Hocking Hills cabin, wine and dine for eight in the exclusive Vintners Pavilion at The Orchard, an Ottawa County Dine and Shop Basket and more. Limited Gala ($100/person) and Reverse Raffle ($50) tickets may be purchased on the OCCFwebsite, http://www.ottawaccf.org. The purchase of a Reverse Raffle ticket does not include admittance to the Gala; $3,000 in prizes will be awarded. Questions may be directed to ottawaccf “at” gmail.com or 419-635-7750.
Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is a public charitable organization established in 1999 to improve the quality of life in Ottawa County. OCCF administers more than 100 donor-established funds totaling approximately $11 million in assets. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $7 million in grants and scholarships. For information, contact OCCF: http://www.ottawaccf.org, ottawaccf@gmail.com, 419-635-7750, or visit during Wednesday office hours, noon-3 p.m., 306 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH.