CONTACT: HEATHER BAILEY
(937) 478-3400

TIPP CITY, OH- 

Honeyman’s leadership remembered with Welcoming Sports Tribute

The first quarter’s meeting of our hometown foundation was a time to remember.

Last week Gordon Honeyman, age 87, passed away. He served as a foundation trustee for over 20 years before retiring to the rank of emeritus, in 2009. He was a soft-spoken man of distinction whose opinion carried thoughtful weight. When rapid growth began after 1998, his memories of the people who served in the early days of the foundation were particularly valuable.

Gordon set the bar for what it means to love Tipp City. In the days after his passing, the lists of civic and professional achievements filled conversations around town. From the Foundation’s perspective, his love was demonstrated when he let it be known his estate plan included The Tippecanoe Fund by Gordon Honeyman. This is an unrestricted endowment he established within the Foundation, which will last permanently. Forever.

To celebrate Gordon and his love of high school sports, a unique grant was awarded from his fund. The award went to the City of Tipp to help with the installation of sports championship signage, welcoming visitors as they enter Tipp. “Good gosh,” Gordon might be heard saying about the giant signs arriving soon with help from this grant. Read a few more details below about the grant.

That was just one of many awards made during the meeting. Among the broad range of grants awarded are Tai Chi classes at the Senior Center, a weeklong rocks, ropes and treetops outdoor adventure and education program at the Miami County Park District, and 3D self-portrait model-making for 5^th graders. Ultimately, 13 organizations received 17 awards totaling $75,005.62. Since 1943, $3,318,495.12 has been awarded to local causes.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and impact these grants will have. Support donor advised funds gave towards requests is noted with an asterisk (*).

ARTS & CULTURE

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $3,000, beautifies the downtown by equipping volunteer teams with a mobile tank to water the large flowerpots on Main Street. These volunteers call themselves Pot Tarts. *Additional help from the Robinson Walters Fund fulfills the request for a total of $5,000.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $2,555, zhuzhes the exteriors of downtown properties identified through the Partnership’s Façade Improvement Program. An Urban Stewardship Fund award.

Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000, gives teens grantmaking responsibility in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,458.29, builds a comprehensive, diverse and developmentally appropriate music instrument library for the elementary school. Music literacy, performance preparation and culturally responsive teaching will be enhanced by this new collection. Awarded, in part, from the Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,313.87, integrates technology, visual art and self-expression through the purchase of supplies to handmake 3D printed Funko-Pop style self-portraits. Students will design, sculpt and paint 3D models of themselves. Awarded from the Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler.

EDUCATION

Miami County Educational Service Center, $1,000, recognizes valedictorians and salutatorians of Miami County at an annual banquet held for them and their most influential teachers.

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Edison Foundation, $5,000, supports the building of classrooms dedicated to the field of nursing at Edison State Community College. This is the 3^rd of 5 payments, which will total $25,000.

Miami County Dental Clinic, $3,360, assures the operations of this clinic stay in compliance while ensuring a positive workplace for dental staff and clients. Over 30% of clients are senior citizens. Awarded, in part, from the Senior Wellness Fund.

Tipp City Fire and Emergency Services, $4,436.10, promotes basic first aid and life saving techniques by updating hands-on equipment used to teach essentials of safety. A Safety First Fund award.

Tipp City Seniors, Inc, $600, focuses on the improvement of balance, strength, flexibility, and stress reduction through tai chi classes. A Senior Wellness Fund award.

NATURE

Brukner Nature Center, $5,673.50, reboots the computer infrastructure of this wildlife conservation and rehabilitation preserve. Last year the center welcomed over 110,000 visitors. 

Tipp City Parks Department, $400, sprouts the next generation of tree lovers with a gift of a sapling to each 1^st grader at Broadway Elementary. With over 175 students, these trees will boost Tipp City’s urban canopy. A Lucille Milner Trees for Tipp Fund award.

RECREATION

City of Tipp City, $11,083, boasts athletic accomplishments of area students loud and proud by supporting the installation of four large championship signs at the edges of the City. We Are the Champions! Awarded, in part, from The Tippecanoe Fund by Gordon Honeyman. This award marks the grantmaking milestone of $3.25 million since the foundation began in 1943. 

Miami County Park District, $9,187, inspires kids of all ages to challenge themselves to enjoy the outdoors in a whole new way through “Rocks, Ropes and Treetops Outdoor Adventure!” program. Part of a week-long festival, this blends environmental education and outdoor adventure. Awarded, in part, from the Radle Family Fund for Science Education.

Miamibucs, $4,938.86, provides three adapted tricycles for individuals who cannot ride a typical tryke. A William’s Gift Fund grant.

Tipp City Parks Department, $10,000, volleys financial support towards building pickleball courts in Kyle Park. This is the 2^nd of 5 payments, totaling $50,000. Awarded, in part, from Jim & June Kyle Family Fund, Outdoor Experiences Fund iho Abby Kessler Bowling, and Warren E. Miltenberger Parkland Fund.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Miami County Partners for Animal Welfare, $5,000, fulfills a commitment to this no-kill animal shelter and with the 2^nd of 10 payments. Ultimately, $50,000 will be awarded.

New Path, Inc, award, helps more than 30 families with financial support during times of personal downturn. *A Community Compassion Fund award.

Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions, of any size, from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 67 endowment funds is available at tippfoundation.org.

 Quarterly grant deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.

Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Richard Bender, president, Bryan Blake, Sarah Gillenwater, Kelly Gillis, Cameron Haller, Joellen Heatherly, Susan Kuntz, Renee Matsunami, Glen McMurry, Jim Ranft, distribution chair, Julie Taylor, treasurer, Julia Watson, Bill Wendel, secretary / vice president, and Carolyn Wright.

The Tipp City Foundation is a component fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution or how to establish an endowment fund, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

For more information visit tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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By Kevin Tucker

Although diminutive in stature, Jackie Wahl’s impact on the Tipp City community has been immense.

And much like the corpulent Norm Peterson striding into his favorite bar Cheers, everyone in town seems to know her name.

Part of the seventh generation of her family born and bred in the area, the ubiquitous Wahl is a tireless advocate and a conscientious steward for the city and its environs. But time takes a toll on us all and while she’s not going into seclusion by any means, the Tipp City graduate plans on stepping back somewhat and giving the roses a little sniff.

As such, one of her shedding of duties is stepping down from the board of the Tipp City Foundation (TCF), where she’s served for nearly four decades. When asked why, she answered succinctly.

“It was time. When I’m done, I’m done,” she said.

The decision stems from the fact with her seat coming up for renewal and the board being in a good place with no gaps, now seemed like the perfect time to hand over the reigns to current and future board members, she qualified.

“Because I’ve been here so long, people just naturally connect me with the Foundation,” she said. “Serving on the board has allowed me to meet people that I would have not otherwise met.”

Had you asked the 12-year-old Jackie what the TCF was, she wouldn’t have had a clue. But in October 1986 when a classmate of her father said a seat on the board had become available and asked if she’d like to fill it, the 33-year-old mother of two jumped at the chance. And while her father passed away in February 1987 just before her first meeting the following month, Wahl was filled with pride over the fact that her father knew she’d be serving on the board prior to his passing.

“Her family history is a keen part of who she is,” said Heather Bailey, TCF volunteer. “She brought her respect for the history of the community to the table when she voted on grants. Communities change over time and she used her influence as a board member to drive for positive, impactful, lasting results.”

At the time she joined, Wahl was the youngest member of the TCF board by several decades. And because of her effervescent personality…she soon became the face of the Foundation. After nearly 40 years, she’ll now leave as one of its elder stateswomen.

A short time into her tenure, the Foundation received a $1 million bequest which upped the ante on its ability to grant more substantial awards. Prior to that, the most the TCF dished out to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations was approximately $2,000 annually, she said. That figure, and the number of awards now granted, is far greater.

“The Foundation continues to grow,” said Wahl. “It’s a matter of supporting the community we love.”

Never a rubber stamp for applications that came before the board’s purview, Wahl said she only wanted to approve awards that would be of benefit to the community. Admittedly opinionated, she half-jokingly said that people seem to like her in spite of that fact.

“To me it’s very inspirational that she would invest 39 years of her life with the Tipp City Foundation,” said current board president Richard Bender. “It definitely shows that she cares about our town, the schools and all the organizations that have been funded.”

Bender added that he’ll miss having her historical information readily available.

“I could always count on her to know the backstory to previous grants and information about the community.”

An avid reader, Wahl’s long been a proponent of buying books for Tipp schools. She’s also excited to have helped fund choir concerts, science fairs, a picnic pavilion at Kyle Park and to help with the school’s involvement with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, among many other projects.

Whereas before it was private, the TCF now falls under the umbrella of The Troy Foundation, and as such, has the ability to award scholarships to students, something of which the Tipp City grad is quite proud.

“As a lifelong resident of Tipp City, Jackie has the understanding of current and historical needs of the community,” said fellow board member Jim Ranft. “Her longevity anchors us to the previous Foundation leadership. Jackie has been involved with the many organizations we serve, giving her great insight into grant requests. I think of her as an ambassador for the Foundation.

While a senior at Tippecanoe High School, the graduating class had the foresight to vote Wahl, “Most Involved.” As recently as four years ago, she served indefatigably as president of four different organizations. After serving on its board for a number of years, Wahl took over as director of Tipp-Monroe Community Services for several more. Her multitudinous community activities over a lifetime are too numerous to do an accounting.

“I’ve always been involved…it’s in my personality,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help people.”

She grew up in the country, lived in a Victorian on Main Street for a time and now again lives outside the city limits. Wahl and her late husband of 40 years, Bob (he died in 2013), raised two daughters. Annie is married with children living in Oxford and Katie is an attorney in Dayton living in Tipp City, who’s both an alumna and ardent supporter of the University of Notre Dame. Together they’ve established a Wahl Family Fund within the Foundation.

Wahl who has received three cancer diagnoses (“Yet here I am”), said she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else but Tipp City (“It’s home”).

Beset by some minor health issues, she wishes to get stronger physically. And even though she’s pairing down, she’ll keep plenty busy with friends, family, reading and needlework. When the weather’s agreeable, you’ll surely find her out on the porch with her intimidatingly large Malamute-mix canine, Lobato, sitting dutifully by her side.

“I hope people continue to support the Foundation,” she said. “No doubt it will keep on growing.”