ServeOhio funds 22 statewide service projects in honor of ServeOhio Day; Hope Emergency among grant recipients
ServeOhio, the Governor-appointed commission on service and volunteerism, announced Thursday grant awards to support 22 local ServeOhio Day projects taking place on or around June 24.
ServeOhio Day exists to encourage and promote hands-on volunteer engagement while school is out for the summer. The grants ServeOhio is providing will fund service projects in 11 Ohio cities, led by more than 500 volunteers.
“We’re excited to support statewide service projects in honor ServeOhio Day, which intentionally takes place on or near the summer solstice when there is the longest period of daylight in an effort to maximize participation,” said William Hall, executive director for ServeOhio. “Each year, I continue to be impressed with Ohioans’ dedication to and passion for service and bettering their communities – from building new community gardens to cleaning up local schools and parks in low-income areas.”
ServeOhio awards nearly $20,000 in grants to support these projects with help from their 2022-2023 partner, American Electric Power Foundation. This year’s recipients include:
• Athens Hocking Solid Waste District, Logan – 15 volunteers will beautify and create upcycled decorations for a local recycling center.
• Athens Photographic Project, Athens – Eight volunteers will build and plant two raised garden beds.
• Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Cleveland – Six volunteers will build three raised flower beds and assist in initial plantings with older adult residents.
• Columbus Early Learning Centers, Columbus – 20 volunteers will clean up and mulch the playground.
• Good Neighbor House, Dayton – More than 20 volunteers will build an outdoor eating area in a local community space.
• Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation, Cincinnati – 25 volunteers will clear invasive species and replace them with native plants.
• Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley, Struthers – 10 volunteers will beautify a bus stop and add an awning, bench and bike rack.
• Hope Emergency Program, Lynchburg – 12 volunteers will build and maintain raised flower and garden beds at a local community garden.
• LifeCare Alliance, Columbus – 10 volunteers will prepare and maintain flower gardens to be used in the building of bouquets for homebound, socially isolated and low-income individuals.
• Maumee Seniors Inc., Maumee – 20 volunteers will beautify and update a community garden at the local senior center. They will also plant herbs and vegetables to be used in community meals.
• Miami University, Hamilton – More than 125 volunteers will come together for an intergenerational volunteer day. Volunteers will beautify and update a local shelter for those experiencing homelessness and community gardens in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.
• Norwood Together, Norwood – 20 volunteers will beautify and maintain a local park, including adding paths, wildflower beds, an herb garden and more.
• Reaching Above Hopelessness and Brokenness Ministries, Inc., Canton – 15 volunteers will restock and organize essential items and rebuild an outdoor space, including a kitchen, for human trafficking survivors.
• First Step, Fostoria – 10 volunteers will add mulch to a new playground area at a domestic violence shelter.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, Lorain – 15 volunteers will beautify the food bank.
• The Haven of Portage County, Ravenna – 20 youth volunteers will serve meals, organize games and engage in meaningful interactions with guests at the local homeless shelter.
• The Salvation Army, Lima – 10 volunteers will rebuild portions of and add mulch to a playground area.
• United Way of Delaware County, Delaware – 30 volunteers will begin the process of growing fruits and vegetables to be distributed to clients of the resource center.
• United Way of Fostoria, Fostoria – 30 volunteers will assist with a trash clean up in a residential neighborhood.
• University of Mount Union, Alliance – 10 volunteers will provide gardening and cooking lessons and resources at a recently revitalized community center.
• West Clermont Local Schools, Cincinnati – 30 volunteers will revitalize an outdoor space into collaborative learning spaces.
• Wyandot County Public Health, Upper Sandusky – 50 volunteers will beautify and clean up the local community garden; including laying pavers to make the garden accessible.
Volunteers interested in serving in their community for ServeOhio Day or at any time throughout the year can visit Get Connected, ServeOhio’s statewide volunteer engagement platform.
ServeOhio, Ohio’s Governor-appointed commission on service and volunteerism, strengthens Ohio communities through AmeriCorps and volunteer engagement. Through programs and initiatives funded and supported by ServeOhio, thousands of Ohioans of all ages engage in and are recognized for their service. Interested participants may learn more about ServeOhio at serve.ohio.gov or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.