By Nancy Bowman

Sometimes a young person’s life involves more than what people see.

For area high school seniors who may have taken time away from school and extra activities to help care for a family member during a time of medical crisis, there’s the Life’s a Journey Don’t Stop Believing Scholarship.

This $1,000 scholarship was established in 2013 through the Tipp City Foundation by Kelley Seto Andary with the first scholarship awarded in 2014.

“Years ago at our restaurant, we had a young man that worked for us at Harrison’s in Tipp City. He was an excellent employee. And then, all of the sudden, he started calling off work, showing up late, exhausted etc.” Andary said. “We found out that his step-mom was going through treatments and he had to do more things at home to help the family. We almost let him go because we thought he didn’t want to work!”

With that experience in mind, Andary said the desire arose to create a scholarship that acknowledged high school seniors that maybe had to give up some things that kids do in order to be there for a loved one.

“Our scholarship is HEART-based…we don’t look at grades, extracurriculars… We felt that these kids get passed over for some of these scholarships because they could not always worry about studying for exams or making all the practices to be a part of group,” she said.

High school seniors in Miami, Greene and Montgomery counties are eligible for the scholarship. Students must be nominated for the scholarship, with nominations often coming from teachers, said Lisa Reynolds of The Troy Foundation. Students should be planning to continue their education at any college, university, trade or technical school.

“I send it (scholarship details) out to all the high schools in the counties and recommend that the information be shared with teachers and counselors, because sometimes they are more aware of these everyday rock stars,” Reynolds said. “It is one of my personal favorite scholarships although it is bittersweet knowing the student had suffered a rough time and more than likely lost a loved one in the process, but maintained their grades and attendance during the process.”

To nominate a student or for more information, visit The Troy Foundation’s website at thetroyfoundation.org and complete the nomination instructions found under the “Scholarship” tab and the Scholarships Available under Life is a Journey tab. Nominations for this year’s scholarship are due March 18.

“Our goal is to acknowledge those kids that made sacrifices and they go above and beyond for their family and/or loved ones.  We wanted to leave a legacy of our efforts and a fully funded scholarship via the Tipp City Foundation was the perfect vehicle for us to do so,” Andary said.

Andary started working or her families’ restaurants following college graduation in 1993. She opened Harrison’s Restaurant in downtown Tipp City in 2005, serving as general manager until 2014. She now is with the Blue Berry Café in Bellbrook.

By Nancy Bowman

The Rides to Work program has been helping those who need a hand getting to work in Troy and Tipp City since 2013.

The nonprofit organization is a program of the Miami County Continuum of Care, an organization of more than 30 agencies that collaborate to address the needs of homeless and lower income people in the county.

Since its beginning, the service has provided more than 36,000 rides to more than 1,000 individuals, said Jim Taylor, Rides to Work program director. In 2020, 1,149 of those rides were to Tipp City area residents.

The program expects to celebrate its 40,000^th ride in coming weeks and will be expanding the hours of available rides.

Among those helping fund the program are the Tipp City Foundation, which granted the program $2,500 last year, and The Troy Foundation.

Recently, the city of Troy awarded the program a $45,000 check from its American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA funds, to help increase the number of rides as well as hours of service. The contribution also will allow for hiring an executive director to expand program awareness, raise more funds and work with Troy and Tipp City businesses to connect potential employees to employers.

Rides to Work today has three vans, four drivers and a program coordinator. Among employer destinations in Tipp City are Meijer and Trophy Nut.

Transportation has been identified for years as among the top needs in Troy and beyond – along with childcare and housing.

Rides to Work transportation is available Monday through Friday and accommodates rides to all three work shifts, Taylor said.

These rides are free until the rider receives their first paycheck. A $1 fee per ride then is charged for the next two weeks and $2 per ride starting in the third week.

The nominal fee is charged to encourage accountability and responsibility of clients.

The cost of providing rides is hard to compare with the long-term benefits to an individual, and beyond, Taylor said.

“What you don’t see is what it means to the family, the community,” he said. ”We have gotten letters saying how it makes a difference.”

“Few grants could have been more timely than our support for the Ride to Work program,” said Dr. Jim Ranft of the Tipp City Foundation. “This program helps hard working people remain in the work force at a time when employees are in high demand. We are fortunate the Miami County Continuum of Care fills this need.”

For more information on Rides to Work contact Taylor at 937-335-0448 extension 103.

By Nancy Bowman

From humble beginnings in 1943, with Ed Timmer’s endowed gift of $1,300, the Tipp City Foundation has grown.  Endowed assets now surpass the $7.5 million mark. Yet more important is the yardstick that measures grantmaking back to the community.

As of September 2021, the Foundation has surpassed $2.5 million in total grantmaking. A grant to the Tipp City Fire & EMS Department was the award that put the Foundation’s lifetime giving past the special milestone.  The lifesaving equipment that will be bought with this grant is detailed below.

Available grantmaking dollars are determined through a formula that ensures that the principal is preserved while making the interest available for area nonprofits.

A broad range of grant requests submitted for third quarter review stood out because of the variety of services brought to our citizens. For the first time in 18 months, no grant requests served a need borne from the pandemic. 

Ultimately, 8 organizations were chosen to receive 16 awards.  Quarterly grants totaled $30,917.91.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact grants will make. The additional support that donor advisors gave through their grantmaking is included.

ARTS & CULTURE
Bethel Local Schools, $1,240.13, purchases Boomwhacker xylophones for elementary music classes.  Used in combination with Orff instruments purchased with a Foundation award in 2020, students will be able to play as an ensemble. This is a Bethel Arts Fund grant.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $112.00, spruces up the exteriors of downtown properties identified by the Façade Improvement Program. This is an Urban Stewardship Fund grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $400.00, spreads a layer of tarp protection on the gym floor while spreading the joy of Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 7th – 12th grades. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $800.00.

Tipp City Public Library, $967.88, invests in the space assigned for teens by purchasing comfortable furnishings.

EDUCATION
Bethel Local Schools, $592.29, blends 1st grade literature with science concepts. Hands-on materials purchased with this grant include fertilized eggs and incubators. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $992.29.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $796.76, takes learning outdoors into a newly restored garden at Broadway Elementary School with the purchase of durable portable tables. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, funds the 3rd grade field trip to Ohio Caverns. The Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $1,365.00.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,300.00, expands the skill sets of students enrolled in the Homebuilding Class. Originally promoted as a class to build a tiny house, skills will now expand to landscaping. A wet saw and auger are among the tools purchased through this grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,000.00, fuels the Power of the Pen, an interscholastic writing competition for 7th and 8th graders designed to help young people find and develop a creative voice that is uniquely their own.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $689.00, supports the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students through the purchase of blazers. Students will represent Tipp City at State and National leadership conferences while wearing these red jackets. FCCLA is a new organization in Tipp City Schools.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, pairs up the industrial arts, visual arts, and intervention classes, to move the current sensory garden to a larger, more accessible space. The Wahl Family Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $230.00.

ENVIRONMENT
Tipp City Parks Department, $1,131.00, plants sweetgum and red maple trees in Windmere Park. This is a Lucille L. Milner Trees for Tipp Fund grant.

RECREATION
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,571.85, updates the playgrounds at Broadway, Nevin Coppock and LT Ball schools with ADA accessible swings.

Tipp City Parks Department, $2,767.00, adds benches and trees for the Miles Park neighborhood to enjoy. This is a Warren E. Miltenberger Parkland Fund grant.

Tipp City Preschool Learning Center, $5,000, supports the replacement of well-worn playground equipment on the grounds of the Tipp City Church of the Nazarene.  The Learning Center is open to families of all faiths.

HEALTH & SAFETY
Tipp City Fire and Emergency Services, $3,925.00, purchases thermal cameras to perform searches for victims inside of structures during fires, as well as to locate victims during missing persons incidents.  This is an award from the Safety First Fund, founded by Steve Kessler, fire chief from 1998 – 2018.

SOCIAL SERVICES
Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, $5,925.00, replaces a hydraulic lift chair used for movements / exercises vital to the success of Brain & Body Integration participants. This organization provides services to children and adults who are disabled or physically or mentally disadvantaged with brain injuries. This is the first award from the William’s Gift Fund.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region, award, aids families as they grapple with their child’s illness during their stay at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Last year, over 60 families from the Bethel/Tipp City community benefited from their support. The Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the grant request with $2,500.00.

We Care Arts, $2,500.00, opens the doors for children with profound physical and developmental disabilities to participate in art classes. This learning is available year-round as well as in Transition to Work classrooms of Tippecanoe High School.

The deadline for 4Q grant submissions is December 1. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org. 

By Nancy Bowman

Brukner Nature Center has a new way to promote its offerings thanks to the Tipp City Foundation.

A grant for $1,709 received in 2020 was used to buy materials to increase the nature center’s presence in surrounding communities through participation with a booth at public events, volunteer fairs and other activities.

Due to COVID-19 the materials were first used this year at a downtown Troy nonprofits night on the Public Square’s Prouty Plaza, said Deb Oexmann, executive director, Brukner Nature Center.

“We used the money to purchase a tablecloth, table runner with our logo, monitor with portable battery power to show videos, and a rolling tote to carry it all in,” Oexmann said

“We also used some of the funding to create some new videos to share not only at these events but also with our members, on our website and Facebook page.  Some funding was also used to create fun stickers to pass out at events to engage kids and their families,” she said.

The Brukner staff loves the new booth and materials although there hasn’t been a lot of time so far for public feedback, Oexmann said. The stickers already are a big hit with the children, she said.

The public relations campaign for Brukner Nature Center is an ongoing effort. “The more people who learn about us and our mission, the more memberships grow, the more wildlife myths are busted and the more friends and partners we create!” Oexmann said.

The center continues to be a popular destination. Its trails remained open during closings forced by COVID-19. The restrictions didn’t stop people from taking in the center’s outdoor offerings – Oexmann said a 20 percent increases in visitation was experienced in the past year and a half.

The center has been closed some this summer as its new driveway and parking lot project is underway. The areas are being paved with concrete. “I am so thankful for the support of our members, community foundations and our Board of Trustees.  This project was by no means the least expensive fix for our aging drive but it is by far the best environmentally friendly option,” she said.

Upcoming events at Brukner Nature Center include its annual fundraiser, The Art of Nature, scheduled for Oct. 3. An online auction is planned for members with some of the larger items available at the Oct. 3 auction.

Work on the annual Arts and Crafts Show on Dec. 3 is underway. Vendor applications are now being accepted. Everything offered at the show must be handmade or somehow related to nature, Oexmann said.

For more information on Brukner Nature Center, visit www.bruknernaturecener.com.

By Nancy Bowman 

The number of Tipp City homes whose history can be documented at least 100 years is growing, as is the effort to recognize those structures.

The Century Home Project was created by and in tribute to Paula and Phil Lantz, who came to the community in the early 1970s and made it their home.  After Phil Lantz passed in January 2017, Paula worked with Heather Bailey, the Tipp City Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Society to create the Century Home program as a tribute to him.

Homes that are confirmed by official documents to being at least 100 years old qualify. The homes will be awarded a brass Century Home plaque along with a framed award featuring the home.

Phil and Paula Lantz came to Tipp City in 1973 from Lima to be closer to his new job in Moraine. While heading home after checking out possible places to move in Kettering and Oakwood, they made a chance stop in Tipp City for gas.

Paula Lantz said she and her husband were attracted by the community’s charm and its houses. “It was such a unique spot in the world,” she said. “It has been a wonderful place to live. This program is another little piece that makes our community special.”

They ended up finding a home and over the years lived in four in the community.

The Century Home Project slowed the past year or so due to COVID-19 but again is in action.

Lantz is working on the project with Jackie Wahl of the Tippecanoe Historical Society. Houses in both Tipp City and Monroe Township can qualify for the recognition.

To promote the program, hangars were placed on doors of some houses that appeared to meet the century age criteria. Several applications were received and more are being taken.

A change in the program now has the Century Home Project volunteers verifying the age of homes using records now more readily available at the Miami County Courthouse. In the past, applicants were asked to provide that information, which could have been a deterrent for some owners.

“They may really love their old house, but don’t have the time to dig into public records,” Wahl said.

There is a $20 application fee.

Lantz said the project continues to evolve as the women work on the quickest, easiest way for those with a Century Home to apply. She is not aware of another program like it.

The project is a positive for the community, Wahl said. “It is one of the feel good things that help celebrate our community,” she said.

For more information on the Century Home Project, email info@tippecanoehistoricalsociety.org.

By Heather Bailey

The Tipp City Foundation recently awarded over $29,000 in scholarships. Many awards went to graduating high school seniors while $8,000 went to renewable awards from prior years. Of the 53 endowment funds within the Foundation, 14 represent scholarships. 

Often these funds commemorate inspirational values of the scholarship founder; when this is the case, applicants are measured against those standards. Winners are determined through a vetting process led by an independent body of judges. To read more about the stories behind each of the scholarship funds or to apply for future scholarships, visit www.tippfoundation.org.

Graduates from Tippecanoe, Bethel, Miami East and Troy are represented. 

Ernest Clay Back Scholarship for History – (not awarded for 2021)

Lester & Cleon Bowers Family Scholarship – Sophia Markley

Jeanette C. Gaston Memorial Music Scholarship – Samantha Thieman

Gilmore Family Scholarship – Kaitlyn Hemmelgarn

Sarah Gross Scholarship for Sportsmanship – Samantha Thieman

Life is a Journey -Don't Stop Believing Scholarship – Elijah Niemi

Katherine G. Lobo Memorial Scholarship – Lauryn Williams

McKee Family Matthew 5:16 Scholarship – Kenna Smith

Sarah Merritt Memorial Scholarship – Dakota Schroeder

John and Louise Miller Memorial Scholarship – Madison Spaeth

Robert E. Nessle Memorial Scholarship – Alaina Yarwick

Elizabeth Spano Scholarship – Kaitlyn Hemmelgarn

Tipp City Rotary Club Scholarship – Alexander Holbrook, Alayna Liskey, Alicia Miller

Tipp City Rotary Club Renewal Scholarship – McKenzie Dean, Jessica Gilbride, Emily Graham, Taylor Haggerty, Tristian Johnson, Noah McElhose, Olivia Rust, Leena Vyas

Tippecanoe Alumni Scholarship – Ashleigh Mader, Ashlyn Tarzinski

Wenzlau Family Scholarship – Jack Baldwin