Posted 4/15/09
Foundation Celebrates 10th Anniversary
With Colorful Report, New Logo and Tagline

The Centerville-Washington Foundation wrapped up its yearlong 10th anniversary celebration at its annual meeting April 14 at Yankee Trace. To mark the occasion, the Foundation released its 1998-2008 report, unveiled a new logo and announced its reason for using a new tagline: “Helping People Help Our Community.”  

Ten years ago, community leaders felt the need to seek private funding for non-profits and agencies that make Centerville and Washington Township a nice place to live and raise a family. They formed a community foundation, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. 

With the support of hundreds of contributors, the Foundation has grown to include 11 members in its Family of Funds, 35 charter members and 28 charitable checking accounts. In all, the Foundation’s assets exceed $1 million.

“We are truly blessed to have such an amazing level of stewardship in the Centerville-Washington Township community,” Karen Borgert, president of the Foundation’s nine-member board of trustees said. “We are on track with our long-range strategic plan. We have raised awareness of our Foundation, we have passed a major milestone in giving, and we have provided grants to many deserving organizations in our community.”

The list of grantees includes Town Hall Theater’s Touring Teen Troup, TJ’s Place of Hope, Centerville Arts Commission, Centerville-Washington Park District, Hithergreen Center, Centerville Community Band, Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society, Washington-Centerville Public Library and the Centerville-Washington Diversity Council.

In addition, the Foundation — with support from the John and Sally Beals Fund, the City of Centerville and Washington Township — headed up the project to place a new landmark, a clock that chimes and plays music for all occasions, in downtown Centerville. A sketch of the clock along with the tagline is the new logo. It replaces a sketch of a tree with branches covering the community.

Last summer, the Foundation hosted a summer fundraiser garden party. In the fall, the Foundation recognized Dr. Richard B. and S. Sue Studebaker (in memoriam) as Community Founders during a reception at the Golf Club at Yankee Trace. The Studebakers helped found the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society and are, perhaps, best known as the owners of the 1797 Quaker Hill, one of the most historic homes in Montgomery County.

Copies of the annual report are available at several community agencies or by writing to the Centerville-Washington Foundation, P. O. Box 41125, Centerville, Ohio 45441.

Founded in 1998, the Centerville-Washington Foundation has been highly successful in helping people through grants and in helping donors find the best ways of contributing to worthy causes.

The Foundation’s grant programs have helped children, seniors, and at-risk populations, as well as provided support to local arts and humanities, conservation and environment, education, health and social service organizations. For more information, please contact Bob Daley at 433-0811.