Today, we introduce Dr. Jim Ranft. Many of us know Dr. Ranft from his work at the Tipp Eye Center, but on the Tipp City Foundation we know Jim as the highly capable Chairman of the Distribution Committee. Jim has served on the Tipp City Foundation since 2003.

Jim's favorite quote:
"Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations" ~Monty Python The Meaning of Life

A person in Jim's life who has shaped his perspective:
My former business partner and founder of The Tipp Eye Center, Andy Davidson. His philosophy that the practice will succeed if you take care of your patients with compassionate personal attention and give back through community service.

The people who inspire Jim now:
The individuals in the community who quietly contribute their time and skills to help improve the community. The people I observe in the community that give their time and talents to make our community better. My fellow board members at the Tipp City Foundation are a great example.

The advice Jim would give to a young person today:
"Do not mistake people’s reality for their social media presence. Be an influencer in your community by the example you lead in day to day personal interactions, not by trying to have the most likes.

Jim's favorite thing to do in his spare time:
Traveling to new places to see natural wonders. Hanging out at Hilton Head Island beach, reading books and reconnecting with his kids. Cheering on the Buckeyes.

What serving on the Tipp Foundation means:
The Foundation provides a way for me to “give back” by supporting the long and short term needs of our local charitable organizations. The work we do provides a legacy of local philanthropy that allows our donors to take care of our own for years to come. I am very proud of our work over the last 22 years to grow the assets and expand the reach of the foundation.

By Becky Gulden

It may come as no surprise to parents with young children, but according to Child Care Choices, families in Miami County are paying four times more than what the federal government considers sustainable for childcare and that’s if they can find quality childcare at all.

That’s why Child Care Choices has started a new community initiative called Child Care IS Education.

Karen Stienecker, Food Program Director at Child Care Choices, says the goal is to raise awareness about the childcare crisis in Miami County and engage local stakeholders in creating solutions.

“It is no secret to us that Miami County, along with the rest of the nation, is experiencing a severe and extended crisis of childcare. This crisis has resulted in hardships in many areas of our community and economy. From lost productivity due to parents having to call off from work to care for their children, to a dramatic decline in kindergarten readiness due to an understaffed and underappreciated care force,” said Stienecker.

One barrier to quality childcare is the cost. According to Stienecker, the federal government states that to have a thriving economy the amount a family pays for childcare should not exceed 7 percent of their income. Currently in Miami County, a family with children under the age of 5 is spending 28 percent of their income on childcare, and 45 percent of Miami county families state that they cannot afford childcare.

Another issue is the scarcity of childcare centers. According to Stienecker, there are only seven childcare centers per 1,000 children under the age of 5, and many families can’t find open spots.

“At Child Care Choices, we receive calls from parents on a regular basis begging for help finding care for their children. These parents, many who live in Tipp City, share their stories of how they are on the waitlist of every childcare center in the area and how none of them can take their children at this time. This is even more difficult in cases where the children have special needs or qualify for publicly funded childcare. It breaks our hearts at the end of these phone calls when we must tell the families that there is not a solution to their problem,” said Stienecker.

Of the spots available, most of them are only half-day preschool or before- and after-school care, leaving parents needing full-time care with few options. And for parents who work second shift, there are currently no overnight spots in Miami County, so families needing care at that time must travel to either Sidney or Dayton and most of those spots are already filled.

Another issue is staffing. Providers are struggling to stay staffed because childcare workers earn far less than comparable jobs. Stienecker says workers earn on average $12 an hour versus nearly the $20 an hour they could be making at fast food restaurants.

To help find solutions to this multi-faceted problem, the Tipp City Foundation has invested $4,000 in grant money to the Child Care IS Education campaign. Jim Ranft, distribution chair of the Tipp City Foundation, explains why Child Care Choices is so important for the community.

"Child Care Choices plays a significant role in children's education by promoting early literacy and kindergarten readiness,” said Ranft. “The organization visits childcare centers and in-home providers to provide preschool-aged children with books and enrichment activities, fostering a love for reading and learning at an early age. Child Care Choices advocates for high-quality childcare environments, which significantly improves readiness for kindergarten. Our most recent grant to Child Care Choices is earmarked to address the critical shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare in Miami County."

The money will be used to support activities focused on the Tipp City and Bethel Township area including production and distribution of early learning kits for parents, businesses, and childcare providers. They also held several events to build relationships with local families and spread the word.

“These funds help ensure the campaign effectively educates and mobilizes local stakeholders toward lasting childcare solutions,” said Stienecker. “Receiving support from the Tipp City Foundation means the community recognizes childcare as a shared priority and a form of essential education. The grant affirms that local leaders believe in investing in families, the workforce, and children’s futures.”

Success of the campaign will be measured in the following ways: increased collaboration and communication between parents, businesses, and childcare providers, community engagement outcomes such as participation in stakeholder events and distribution of Early Learning Kits, and long-term sustainability with programs continuing beyond the 18-month campaign and supported by businesses and donors.

If you want to learn more about the Tipp City Foundation and how to support community campaigns like this one, visit https://tippfoundation.org/ or call 937-528-2482.

By Nancy Bowman

Members of the Zion Lutheran Church are thrilled to receive a Tipp City Foundation grant to buy a device they hope never gets used.

An Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, was purchased by the downtown Tipp City church last year using a $4,112 grant from the foundation. The grant paid for the device, a trauma bag, and training for 10 people, said Annette Calicoat, office manager of Zion Lutheran Church.

The AED has been conveniently located between the church sanctuary and its Fellowship Hall, which hosts weddings, funerals, church services, and community events.

“Having an AED on hand can make a critical difference in emergencies. Just like that spare tire, it’s all about preparedness,” said Richard Bender, president of the Tipp City Foundation.

“Knowing that a device is readily available can provide peace of mind, especially in places where people gather.  It's great to see more public spaces recognizing the importance of having these lifesaving tools accessible.”

The grant was sought for the church, and the community that uses it, Calicoat said.

“The majority of our congregation are senior citizens and the likelihood of someone having a heart attack is higher with this population. The possibility of saving a life increases exponentially when an AED is available for use because effective CPR can begin immediately. Every minute without hands-on CPR reduces the chance of survival by 10 percent,” she said.

“In addition, because our church is centrally located in the heart of downtown Tipp City, our facility is utilized for many community activities and organizational meetings.”

Among meetings are community organizations such as a Scout Troop, church groups including women fellowship and committee meetings and gatherings such as blood drives, Relay for Life meetings, Vacation Bible School and activities including Bunco.

“The community room at the Zion Lutheran Church is definitely one of those places that people gather. I’ve attended community meals, funerals and Give Where You Live Miami County has our quarterly meetings there,” Bender said.

“For me, as a board member of the Tipp City Foundation, it’s inspiring to see how past donations have such a meaningful impact on our community. It’s rewarding to witness the positive changes that result from the contributions we have received,” he said.

In addition to the funding for the AED to Zion Lutheran Church, the Tipp City Foundation provided funding in 2023 for AEDs to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County and to the Tipp City Seniors, Inc.

Next year is Zion’s 200^th anniversary and many special activities are being planned to celebrate.

With this kind of traffic, having an AED available is crucial, Calicoat said. “We were thrilled to be recipients of such a generous grant that provided for its purchase but, we hope we never have to use it!”

By Becky Gulden

Forget Boardwalk and Park Place, Tippopoly is giving Tipp City its own board and it’s all for a good cause. This hometown twist on Monopoly is kicking off in November just in time for the holidays but if you hurry you can get in on the action later this week.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership says the Tipp City themed version of the classic game is a fun way to celebrate the community while raising money to fund a new Small Business Grant.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership says this game was possible thanks to a generous $5,000 gift from the Tipp City Foundation.

“The grant from the Tipp City Foundation allowed us to pay the deposit to create the game. Their early support made it possible for this project to move forward,” said Tasha Weaver, Executive Director of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership.

The Tippopoly games will be sold for $40 and profits from the sales will fund the new small business grant. Weaver says they hope to have the grant up and running next year and it is designed to support businesses and projects that enhance downtown Tipp City.

“We’ve had a lot of fun making sure the game feels like Tipp City. You’ll see things like planting a tree, shopping at Browse Awhile Books, being stuck behind a train, volunteering for local charities, and even donating to the Tipp City Foundation or supporting After Prom. It’s packed with the little things that make our community special,” said Weaver.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, pre-sales will begin later this week on September 25^th. You can order off the Downtown Tipp City Partnership’s website downtowntippcity.org or many of the downtown businesses will have QR codes up in their shops which should see more patrons due to the Mum Festival. The game will also be sold November 7-9 during the Yuletide Winter’s Gathering. After that, it will be available for purchase at select downtown retailers, while supplies last.

Although the game is a great way to make money, Weaver says it also promotes downtown Tipp City and what makes the community so special.

“Downtown Tipp City is a vibrant and welcoming destination known for its unique boutiques, family-friendly diners, specialty thrift shops, and handcrafted quality products. It is home to a diverse mix of small businesses, from locally owned restaurants to one of the most highly regarded dining establishments in the Miami Valley,” said Weaver. “Maintaining the charm and economic vitality of this historic district requires ongoing investment, community engagement, and innovative funding strategies. The Tippopoly Board Game is designed to address this need by celebrating Tipp City’s businesses and landmarks while creating a sustainable funding source for continued economic growth.”

The board game is fully customized, and Weaver said it will highlight the distinct character of downtown Tipp City. The game reinforces the town’s identity and fosters a stronger connection between residents, visitors, and the businesses that define the community.

“By integrating local businesses into the game,” said Weaver, “Tippopoly provides a creative and lasting way to promote downtown Tipp City while directly supporting its economic development.”

Weaver says she’s incredibly honored and thankful for the Foundation’s support.

“This grant is incredibly meaningful because it shows confidence in our work and gives us the ability to launch a project that directly benefits the community. It’s not just about funding a board game — it’s about creating a lasting fundraiser that will support small businesses in Tipp City for years to come,” said Weaver.

For more information about the Tipp City Foundation, visit https://tippfoundation.org.