NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARIETTA, OH, --- Marietta Community Foundation is pleased to announce third cycle grants.

Washington County American Red Cross was awarded a grant in the amount of $1,665. This grant will fund the "Masters of Disaster" disaster education program in Elementary Schools in Washington County. The curriculum not only teaches students about disaster safety, but also helps teachers meet their required objectives prescribed by their school system. It integrates important disaster safety instruction into their regular core subjects. 

The Colony Theatre was awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000. These funds are to be used to help renovate the bathrooms in the theatre. Providing a handicap accessible bathroom on the first floor of the theatre will allow the facility to be used immediately by numerous organizations. This will help the theatre to earn money while working on major restoration.

Hervida 4-H Camp, Inc. received a grant for $2,500 to help construct a hard surface basketball court at the camp. Hervida is a 79-year old, locally funded facility that provides a primitive location for recreation, social and educational functions. More than 3000 youth and adults annually utilize Hervida 4-H Camp. The basketball court will allow people who use the Camp the opportunity to participate in a recreational activity without the threat of injury because of the unsafe surface they are now using. The 200-acre, outdoor residential camp facility is located in Washington County near Waterford, Ohio. This is the first 4-H Camp in Ohio and is dedicated to outdoor education and recreation for youth.

The Washington County Woman's Home was awarded $15,000 to help install an elevator and outside handicapped approved ramp. The purpose of the elevator and outside handicapped ramp is to enable the entire home to be accessible to the elderly who have difficulty walking and or are otherwise physically challenged. The Home is a non-profit organization that provides a place for women who from age or other circumstances desire or need assisted care to live together at an affordable rate. The congenial, non-institutional atmosphere with home-like surroundings situated on quiet, attractive grounds provides gracious living for ladies in their later years. The installation of an elevator will be able to serve more elderly and physically challenged women, therefore maintaining the viability of the Woman's Home for generations to come.

The Marietta Family YMCA Aquatic Club was awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000 to purchase a new electronic timing console. The Aquatic Club, better known as the Marietta Marlins, is a competitive swim team that was started in 1963. The purpose of the team is to promote character development, team spirit, a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to swim at a competitive level. Swimmers, no matter their ability, are able to swim for the Marlins. The Marlins also provide financial scholarships to swimmers experiencing financial hardship.

The Marietta Family YMCA was awarded a grant in the amount of $2,000. This funding will be used to help construct a family locker room that will ensure privacy for adults and a safe and appropriate environment for children. The YMCA offers locker room facilities to its members and non-members. A large majority of these individuals require the use of a locker room to change clothes for a myriad of Y activities. The family locker room will provide more privacy for the individuals who will be using the facilities.

The Village of Beverly was awarded a grant in the amount of $1,500. This grant will help to provide funds to construct an amphitheater in Dodge Park. Dodge Park provides a tangible focus of community unity, and accommodates area-wide and specific events and celebrations. Beverly has been determined to make Dodge Park a priority knowing the importance of providing a space for village activities. With the construction of an amphitheater, it will become a practical element in the park to be used for entertainment focal point.

The Newport Food Pantry was awarded a grant in the amount of $7,000. This grant will help fund construction of a new Pantry facility. Facing increased numbers of families in need, the Pantry does not provide a practical facility right now. To better serve the families, the Pantry is in need of building a larger facility to house all of the Pantry’s food in one place, to provide storage space and space for workers.

Members of the Allocations Committee are Teri Zide Pfeffer, Chairman, Jack Moberg, Ron Bishop, Joan Hushion and Karen Osborne. Their recommendations were approved by the Board of Governors at the past board meeting.

The Foundation's grants are made from income earned by its unrestricted funds. MCF holds six unrestricted funds. They are the John H. and Josephine B. Broughton Memorial Fund, the Florence Buchanan and John Hall McCoy, Harriet Switzer and Edward Jennings Mildren Fund, the J. Francis and Lillian Strecker Smith Fund, the Leola Booth Fund, the Karl D. and Anna Schultheis Marsch Fund and the Betty Markell Hallock Memorial Fund.

The next deadline for grant applications is February 7, 2002 at 5 o’clock. Applicants can obtain the application and guidelines by calling 740-376-4380. Carol Wharff, Executive Director, invites anyone with questions or in need of help, to contact the Foundation office. The office is located at Marietta College in the McDonough Center, Room 209.