The full impact of the Downtown Tipp City Coronavirus Relief Fund likely can never be calculated, but evidence of its successes is visible all around the historic downtown.

The fund, started in spring 2020 by the Downtown Tipp City Partnership with $10,000 seed support from the Tipp City Foundation and added community donations, continues its work as the COVID-19 pandemic remains.

The fund was intended to “support the preservation and livelihood of Tipp City’s historic downtown business district amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

During the past year, 20 businesses have benefited from the fund with distributions totaling just more than $20,000, said Kim Bulgin, executive director of the DTCP.

“I believe the impact this fund has had on our community has been one full of hope and perseverance. I think is was created during a time when so many people needed good news,” Bulgin said. “I think It helped encouraged the businesses to keep pushing through. One day at a time.”

Those eligible for the relief fund are employers in the downtown district who are DTCP members. Applications still are being taken at www.downtowntippcity.org.

Among employers that applied for funding was Grounds for Pleasure on Main Street. The business was closed for several weeks in the spring and an application was made with hopes it would help with operating expenses as the business again opened, said Teanna Lambert.

“When we were able to reopen, we had to do so with carry out orders only.  Our business is one that thrives on the community that is created and conversations that are had while sitting down and having a cup of coffee,” she said. “In fact, it is the real reason we exist--to help cultivate an environment where people can connect to each other. Transitioning to a take-out only establishment was certainly not something that we were prepared for.”

Lambert said the week the relief fund arrived was an interesting one for Grounds for Pleasure. Not only were rent and payroll due but the ice machine broke beyond repair and acrylic barriers to prepare for opening had been ordered.

“The relief funds definitely came at a great time to help us with our normal operating expenses as we dealt with other expenses that we weren't anticipating,” Lambert said.

The application process was easy and she would encourage other employers who would benefit to apply, Lambert said.

“We are very thankful that the Tipp City Foundation and DTCP came together to create this fund for our downtown businesses,” she said. “We are also very grateful for the community support we have seen in the last year! Those that donated to the relief fund as well as those that continue to choose to shop and dine in our downtown --YOU have made a huge difference for so many and we would love to take this opportunity to say thank you.”

Donations still are being accepted to the relief fund at www.downtowntippcity.org.

To ensure businesses are aware of its availability, there is the special section on the web page, word has been spread via social media and Bulgin talks with business owners about the fund when she does in-person visits, said Andi Trezciak, DTCP board chair.

Although grant checks are not huge, they are a sign that DTCP is doing what it can and it’s available to help in various ways, Trezciak said.

“There were many community members who were major donors to the fund in addition to the Tipp City Foundation and we are incredibly grateful for their support,” she said.

Bulgin said DTCP is hopeful those who have not taken advantage of the fund yet apply for it.

“Ultimately this relief fund was a way to bring everyone together and help each other. I think we achieved that. We showed up and represented Tipp City well,” Bulgin said. “Tipp pride? We are a tight knit community and always show up when it’s needed the most.”

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:

• Donating online here.
• Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
• Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

STAY CONNECTED
We'd love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:

• Following us on Facebook or
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• WebsiteSending us an Email

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy. 

• Silver Sponsor - Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
• Bronze Sponsors - Advanced Machinery Companies; Dunaway Family Foundation; Dungan & LeFevre; Ever-Green Turf & Landscape; Gibson Law Offices; Monroe Federal Savings and Loan; New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling; Unity National Bank
• Friend Sponsors - Captor Corp.; Edward Jones (Neil Nehring); Frings & Bayliff Funeral Home; Minster Bank; RSM US; Turnstone Financial; US Bank
• Media Sponsor - Tippecanoe Gazette

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber? Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Thanks to You…It Works, for All of Us”. This is the “official” time the community campaign is in full swing for a time of giving, which we all know as the United Way.

It all starts with the communities where we live. All communities, large and small, have innate needs, which illustrate a community’s existence. But what makes these communities appealing, or what makes them “tick” in today’s world? Could it be the library and literacy initiatives…Child Care Choices…the local food pantry…senior care programs? Maybe it’s all of those things, but one thing is for certain, it comes down to you! 

Since 2001, United Way has held an endowment fund within the Tipp City Foundation, benefitting all who live within the 45371 area. Guiding the vision for the endowment on the Tipp City Foundation board was Jesse Chamberlain, who served both the Foundation and local United Way boards for more than 50 years.

United Way is an investment in the future of our community and more importantly, an investment in you and those that live next door to you, down the street, or on the other side of town. The lifeblood of the community is built on the premise that those within the community are better served when there’s a passion to meet challenges which exist head-on, by the community itself. That’s where United Way starts. 

Sean Ford, United Way’s Chief Executive Officer of Miami County states, "When you give to United Way, you are helping to improve literacy rates for children at risk of dropping out of school, providing a safety net for foster youth who have no other resources, and you are helping to provide healthy, nutritious meals to children who often do not have enough to eat."

Each of us want Miami County to be a community where basic needs are met and families thrive in meaningful relationships with friends and neighbors. And the best way for this to be realized is when children are properly nourished, whether stimulated mentally through reading programs, fed through healthy meals, or preparing for careers and life with support from parents, friends and the community. 

Similarly to United Way, the Tipp City Foundation builds on community strength and is committed to fostering an environment where funding maximizes value for the good of all. Whether it be Miami County Recovery Council, Health Partners Free Clinic, Needy Baskets Food Pantry, Partners in Hope, Safe Haven Inc., St Patrick’s Soup Kitchen, The Salvation Army or New Creation Counseling Center, the list continues and is extensive. All of these institutions have a purpose and each of them touch someone we know. They interact and complement one another, a woven fabric as a quilt covers a bed.  

Ford continues, “For more than 75 years, the United Way of Miami County has been working to meet the needs of vulnerable families in our region. No matter the crisis, we have always remained steadfast to our commitment to LIVE UNITED and take care of our community. We are uniquely positioned to connect and support the people, non-profits, businesses and government agencies working hard to address poverty in our region."

All of us can agree this year has been truly taxing in many ways. With this, the Tipp City Foundation, a component fund of The Troy Foundation, continues to support initiatives which bridge the gaps in our community and are ever-increasing. By being able to contribute through the Tipp City Foundation, this process ensures the level of accountability and demonstrates the ways lives are being changed, by the investment in our community. 

And therein lies the difference. Sean Ford closes by stating, “whether it be as a volunteer, a donation, or support through your approval of what we’re doing as an extension of the community, the change starts with  you!” 

We all want the best for our community. Be part of that change, a legacy with no end. Because of You, It truly Works…for All of Us in many ways.  

-by Nancy Bowman 

Families who open their doors to foster children in Tipp City, Monroe Township and Bethel Township have others who, in turn, support them including the Tipp City Foundation.

The foundation has awarded several grants during the past 18 months to support a growing foster care network in area homes.

Those recipients have included Seeds of Hope and Isaiah’s Place, both with offices in Troy.

A $1,345 grant was awarded to Seeds of Hope to support its Basic Needs Bags to help foster families and their children get off on the right foot.  This was the first grant to Seeds of Hope by the foundation.

Isaiah’s Place was awarded two grants. A $5,000 award supported training of new foster families in Trust-Based Relationship Intervention and created sensory rooms in their homes. A grant of $2,770 was awarded for a foster home recruitment plan and to double the number of foster homes in Tipp City and Bethel Township.

Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit organization operating from 1100 Wayne St. in Troy was created “to help support foster families and kinship families as well as local single moms in need,” said Katie Vasil, co-founder with Kristy Inoa.

Among items provided are new and gently used cribs, toddler and twin beds, car seats, clothing, baby items, diapers and other hygiene items. 

“As foster families we need to be prepared for birth-teen, boy or girls and sometimes multiple children at a time. Being a foster parent is hard so we want to take away some of the burden by providing basic supplies,” Vasil said.

The Basic Needs Bags are canvas bags filled with clothing, hygiene items, diapers, underwear, new sheets and other items. “These are very helpful for new placements as most children come into care with very little,” Vasil said.

The organization tries to focus on Miami County and surrounding Miami Valley, but does not turn away other foster families in need.

Anyone interested in learning more can visit the Seeds of Hope Facebook page and message the page or email seedsofhope.org.

Isaiah’s Place is a foster care agency that licenses and supports foster parents on their fostering journey. Families are supported in three  ways: transformative training, competent case management and consistent community support.

The recruitment effort included hosting fostering forums, engaging some area churches and updating marketing materials. That effort bore fruit and Isaiah’s Place believes that will continue, said Paul Hemminger, Isaiah’s Place assistant director.

The Trust-Based Relationship Intervention, or TBRI, teaches healthy relationship interventions that build trust using neuroscience data, Hemminger said. 

“TBRI has three sets of principles: empowering, connecting and correcting,” he said. “TBRI has months’ worth of content, resources and materials to help build up our foster parents’ toolkit to be the most grounded, confident and equipped foster parents to build trust through loving awareness and action.”

The TBRI grant also has had success, Hemminger said. “It has invigorated our parents and staff and has resulted in greater healing for our kids.”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster family can call 937-335-3701, email phemminger@isaiahsplace.com and kbrubaker@isaiahsplace.com or visit www.isaiahsplace.com/fosterparent.