By Becky Gulden

It has been two years since Carson Robbins died, just shy of his 18th birthday, but his legacy is living on through the Live Loud Like Carson: A School Spirit Fund endowment.

The fund in Carson’s name is managed by the Tipp City Foundation and supports activities and projects that build positive connections among students of all ages at Tipp City schools. The grant can go toward academics, athletics, clubs, or special events. The fund just awarded its first grant months ahead of schedule.

The grant went to the Inferno Literary Journal, which is a student-led publication that provides a space for creative writing talent at Tippecanoe High School. Tippecanoe English teacher Aimee Noel is an advisor for the journal. She explains what makes it so special.

“Student-editors choose work for the book blindly, so publication is based on merit rather than popularity,” said Noel. “This is Inferno’s 11th year, and it has recently received the highest national recognition awarded to student publications. The work is compiled and printed in May each year, culminating in a public book release party at which writers are encouraged to read their work aloud.”

The grant will be used to print the book and because of the generosity of the grant they will be able to publish more articles without limiting the number of student contributions.

Carson Robbins was a Tippecanoe High School Senior who died on April 14, 2023, after a brief seizure condition. The loss of Carson was profound not just for Carson’s family and friends but for the entire community.

“It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since we lost our boy,” said Carson’s mother, Carrie Robbins. “The best way I can describe our lives is that “broken hearts continue to beat.”  The sun comes up and we start a new day. Two years ago, I would not have believed that I could go a day without debilitating grief. But as time moves forward, we have learned to live with our grief. It is always there – we just embrace it when it surfaces. It’s nothing we will ever hide from. Grief is just an extension of our love.”

Carrie says they grieve for Carson during big life events that he should have been a part of. “Holidays, vacations, his best friend’s wedding and birthday, and his favorite cousin’s college graduation. His oldest brother, Mason, will graduate in May from the University of Dayton, and we are looking forward to his baby brother, Jackson’s, senior year and football season. With each new life event, we just make sure to add in a “what would Carson have said,” which always ends up with a smile and laugh.”

It is safe to say, Carson made a big impact on almost everyone he met, which made choosing a name for the endowment an easy task.

“Anyone who knew him, knows he was loud, that his personality was infectious and that he just had a way of making people feel good. So, ‘Live Loud’ seemed the perfect fit. Add in the fact that we all love a little alliteration, and we ended up with LIVE LOUD LIKE CARSON: A SCHOOL SPIRIT FUND,” said Robbins.

Robbins says the initial goal was to raise money needed within the first calendar year in hopes they could start giving out money by 2026. However, they hit their goal within the first three months.

Noel says this grant was special for another reason: Carson was a former student. “Carson was a student in one of the first on-campus Comp I English classes I taught, and after the class had finished a grueling semester of writing paper after paper, he had talked me into a celebratory last day, complete with an ice cream cake,” said Noel. “He was the epitome of the motto ‘Work hard, play hard.’ We are often good at the first part of that saying, Carson was a great reminder that the second part matters, too.”

“Having one of Carson’s former teachers be granted this award is honoring. That fills my mama heart. It’s gratifying to know that over the next several years Carson’s fund will touch the people who know him. Flash forward 20 years and someone will still have something to celebrate because of Carson,” said Robbins. “We are really excited for Inferno to receive this award. Everyone knows Carson’s love for sports - but it is extremely important to us that teachers and youth organizations know that this fund is for all types of activities. Inferno creates an incredible journal of writings each year that we have been fortunate to receive a copy of in the past. We are looking forward to the newest publication.”

If Carson was alive today, he’d be getting ready to turn 20 years old. To honor him, his family and friends are holding their inaugural birthday fundraiser for the Live Loud Like Carson fund on Saturday April 26 at 7 p.m. The fundraiser will be held at the Tipp City Eagles and will include a night of music, games, prizes, dancing, raffle baskets, and 50/50 raffles. There are still some tickets available. You can also donate to the fund through the Tipp City Foundation website by scanning the QR code below or clicking HERE.

“I’m so proud that the Inferno program is the first to be associated with this fund and with Carson’s engaging and spirited nature,” said Noel. “The THS students who submit their creative work to Inferno are putting their creativity, their talent, and, often, their lived experiences on the page for all of us to read. And some of them will muster the courage to read on stage at our book release event. They are, quite literally, living loud like Carson. We are honored to carry on in his name.”

By Nancy Bowman

Edison State Community College continues to grow its nursing program with the assistance of supporters including the Tipp City Foundation.

Last month, the foundation awarded the second payment toward a $25,000 five-year grant to the college. The grant supports the Registered Nursing (RN) program and the physical expansion of the building where the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will be housed.

The support is based on the need of area employers for more employees with RN skills who will earn sustainable incomes. “Our community is then enriched because health care employers are better equipped to serve us, the public,” said Richard Bender, Foundation president.

In addition to the building addition, funding will be used to support continuation and growth of the RN to BSN program, said Bruce McKenzie, of the Edison State Community College marketing department.

“The new/renovated space will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for the next generation of nurses in our region. The college will be increasing the classroom and lab spaces currently available to the nursing programs, and this increased square footage will allow for additional classroom space that will enable the college to increase the number of students in the nursing programs,” McKenzie said.

The expansion will allow for 40 more associate degrees and provide capacity to graduate 60 students per 18-month cohort from the new bachelor’s in nursing degree program, McKenzie said.

The nursing addition is expected to be completed in the 2026-2027 academic year. The building expansion also will provide versatile classroom space and storage space. Groundbreaking for the BSN addition will be held soon. So far, $4 million has been raised toward the overall $4.5 million projected cost.

Among students served by the Edison nursing program are those from Bethel Township and Tipp City.  While numbers vary from semester to semester, there has been a steady increase in students from those areas during the past five years, McKenzie said.

The need for the expanded program is apparent, he said, pointing to information from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation’s list of Ohio’s Top Jobs. The list shows Registered Nurses and health aides as the top professions for expected growth in the state as well as in this region.

“From the completion of clinical learning experiences to full-time employment opportunities, the vast majority of our graduates serve in agencies across the upper Miami Valley. All agencies can benefit from the expanded spaces that will increase capacity for enrollments and increase job applicants for open positions in a time of healthcare personnel shortages,” McKenzie said. “The space could also be used by local healthcare agencies to conduct continuing education training.”

By Nancy Bowman

For the Tippecanoe Community Band, a grant from the Tipp City Foundation sounded just right.

The $5,083 award covered the purchase of 15 musician chairs, four chair carts to store the chairs, six music stands and a music stand storage cart.

This equipment was needed by the band as it enters its 45^th year, said Gail Ahmed, band director.

“The band has continued to grow over the past few years, from 50 to 60-plus members. We had chairs for only 50 members and stands for 60 members. For safety reasons, it was important to have carts that were specifically made for the chairs as the chairs and stands are moved for each rehearsal and performance,” Ahmed said.

Today, approximately 65 members make music with the group. They range from age 18 to more than 90 years and come from a number of area communities including Tipp City, Covington, Dayton, Fletcher, Huber Heights, Kettering, New Carlisle, Piqua, Troy, Union, Vandalia and West Milton.

Ahmed has been with the band since its beginning in 1980. She said Sandy Whitaker spoke with her about starting a band under the umbrella of Tipp Monroe Community Services.

“I was the high school band director at the time and thought that it would be a great place for people to continue playing their instruments after high school,” she said. “The band had their first meeting in January of 1980 with eight members present and performed its first concert in May. We were so appreciative of the Tipp City Schools’ support over the years as they provided us with a rehearsal space from 1980-2020.”

The Tippecanoe Community Band gives musicians a place to share their love of music with fellow musicians and audiences. “We are like a big ‘Musical Family.’ It has been such a joy to meet so many musicians over the years and to have the opportunity to give the gift of music to the community,” Ahmed said.

The band already has scheduled some concerts for this year including:

Sunday, May 4       Tipp Center, 3 p.m.

Friday, June 6        Downtown Tipp City, 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 20     Tipp Center, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 14    Tipp Center, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27  Mum Festival, noon

Sunday, Dec. 7       Tipp Center, 7 p.m.

During the band’s anniversary year, it looks forward to performing music from its early concerts as well as new selections, Ahmed said.

“It has been such an honor to be a part of this family of musicians and to continue the traditions that were started by a small group of players with a vision of having a community band,” she said.

Now in its 82nd year, the Tipp City Foundation increasingly receives grant requests for higher dollar amounts. As foundation assets grow, larger grant awards are possible more often. Some requests are so large that awards need to be given over several years.

The March grant cycle saw several instances where awards will be spread out. Pickleball courts at Kyle Park and the new Miami County Animal Shelter are among the multi-year awards recipients.

New ideas seeking support this quarter include a Tippopoly board game, and free entrance to the annual Tippapalooza concert. Read more about these below. Ultimately, 17 organizations received 22 awards totaling $58,952.83.

Since 1943, $3,118,802.83 has been awarded to local causes.

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

SOCIAL SERVICES

Miami County Partners for Animal Welfare, $5,000, commits $50,000 towards the building of a no-kill animal shelter and adoption center. This is the 1^st of 10 payments. Awarded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund and Robinson-Walters Family Fund rounds out this request for a total of $9,085.

New Path, Inc, award, helps up to 250 families with financial support during times of personal downturn. A Community Compassion Fund award.

Robinson Foundation of The Troy Foundation, $500, remembers the philanthropic impact and leadership of Thomas Robinson, a Miami County leader, with a memorial gift.

Tipp City Church of the Nazarene, $5,000, expands existing daycare and preschool options to include special needs children. This grant supports the remodeling of the building to accommodate the specialized equipment required. This is the final payment towards a multi-year commitment. Awarded, in part, from Hidden Picture Puzzles by Liz Ball Fund and the H. E. “Tiny” & Emma Drewing Fund.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bethel Local Schools, $2,500, lifts up the voices of the Bethel High School choir as they perform on a global stage….Walt Disney World. This grant helps to underwrite the cost of the trip. A Bethel Arts Fund award. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $3,000.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $5,000, provides seed money for a project to raise dollars to fund small business grants. The fundraising project will customize the traditional Monopoly board game into Tippopoly. Game boards will be available for purchase in late 2025

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, $254, sparks the creative imagination of high school students contributing to Inferno, a literary journal published annually. A Live Loud Like Carson: A School Spirit Fund award. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $1,100.

Tippapalooza, Inc., $3,000, eliminates the entrance fee to this annual music festival. Held in downtown Tipp City, this is a family-friendly celebration of local music.

EDUCATION

Miami County Educational Service Center, award, recognizes valedictorians and salutatorians of Miami County at an annual banquet held for them and their most influential teachers. A Walter E. Caton Fund award.

Miami County Educational Service Center, award, guides students through the YouScience Initiative as they explore academic and career options. A Walter E. Caton Fund award.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, purchases heart models and stethoscopes for 4^th grade science classrooms. A Tipp Giving Fund award.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $698, replaces heavily worn competition buzzer sets used by the Academic Quiz Team. Last month the Tippecanoe High School Academic Quiz Team wrapped up their MVL regular season with a perfect 18-0 record and a championship title!

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 2^nd of 5 payments, which will total $25,000. Awarded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund.

Health Partners Free Clinic, $1,755, updates the check-in process with signature pads and scanners. This paperless system will be more secure and private for patients.

Funded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $2,755.

Miami County Dental Clinic, $3,360, assures that 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 Senior Wellness Fund.

New Path, Inc, award, purchases cleaning supplies to sanitize donated durable medical equipment to prepare it for clients in need. A Community Compassion Fund award.

Tipp City Fire and Emergency Services, $1,987.60, promotes safety education by updating hands-on equipment used to teach safety essentials. A Safety First Fund award.

RECREATION

Bethel Local Schools, $1,898.23, completes our 5-year commitment to help build a new stadium at Bethel Schools. The total awarded was $25,000. A Bethel Community Fund award.

Tipp Pride Association, $7,500, honors our commitment to help build a new stadium in City Park. This is the 8^th of 10 payments, which will total $75,000.

Tipp City Parks Department, $10,000, volleys financial support towards building pickleball courts in Kyle Park. This is the 1^st of 5 payments, which will total $50,000. Awarded, in part, from Jim & June Kyle Family Fund, Outdoor Experiences Fund in honor of Abby Kessler Bowling, and Warren E. Miltenberger Parkland Fund.

Troop 586 Tipp City, $500, purchases new (and replaces old) equipment used in the robust activities of a Boy Scout Troop, serving youth ages 11 through 17.

Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions, of any size, from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 65 endowment funds is available at www.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, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, Joellen Heatherly, vice president, Glen McMurry, Jim Ranft, distribution chair, Julie Taylor, Andrew Venters, Jackie Wahl, Bill Wendel, secretary 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 www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

By Becky Gulden

The Tipp City Foundation’s annual report will begin hitting mailboxes this week and Tippecanoe Gazette readers are getting a sneak peek!

According to the Tipp City Foundation, the annual report serves as a reflection of the impact over the past year.

“It provides transparency and accountability by showcasing how donor contributions are used to support local nonprofits, schools, and community initiatives,” said Heather Bailey, editor of the annual report and Foundation volunteer. “It also celebrates the generosity of our community and the ways in which philanthropy strengthens Tipp City for generations to come. We hope to reintroduce the Tipp Foundation to those in the community who may both need our help and to those who can also help by contributing to our 64 funds.”

Each year the report features artwork from a local artist. Each artist interprets the idea of community through their personal lens. This year’s featured artist is Susan Kuntz. Kuntz is a retired art educator with 34 years of teaching experience.

“Year-round I keep an eye out for talented people able to interpret the community through their unique artistic styles. When I find someone, I introduce myself and ask if they would be interested in telling the story of our community through their art. This year evolved in a similar manner. I knew that Susan Kuntz was retiring and that her time would fill quickly, so I made the ask as soon as I could. The work you see on the pages took at least 9 months for her to complete,” said Bailey.

“When Heather approached me about doing artwork for the annual report, I was hesitant – maybe even a little resistant to the idea. I have artwork for my own fun and interest, for friends, and for fundraiser requests, but never for a publication. In the last decade of my teaching, I found a digital drawing app that was fun and easy for my students to use. Over the years of playing around with it, I saw its potential for letting me use flat shape and color in many versions. Being able to experiment with several versions of a design in a platform that was as fluid as the ideas were, was so very appealing,” said Kuntz.

Kuntz grew up in a military family, which means she moved around a lot. In fact, she attended nine different schools before graduating high school in Germany. She settled in Ohio 42 years ago and attended Wright State University and then received her Master of Education degree from the University of Dayton. She settled in Tipp City in 2000 and after moving around so much the feeling of community meant a lot to her.

“I think what makes any place special to you, is how you feel when you're there. After a childhood of going from place to place, I like being rooted in a community,” said Kuntz. “Tipp City exemplifies small-town charm. It's the kind of place where people know their neighbors and stop to talk to each other.”

She explains how Covid and the feeling of isolation played a role in this year’s art project. It was during those first months of the shutdown that she would take walks with her wife.

“We talked a lot about how we don't realize how much we need everyone – the people we know and those we don't; the jobs we knew about and those of which we had no inkling – all necessary to the whole. Our connectedness is our strength, not just in our commonly held beliefs, but in our openness to what is initially unfamiliar, said Kuntz. “The quilt squares, I hope, reflect that each of us – all of us – are important to the whole and that our care for our city and each other is the binding thread.”

And that was the thought behind this year’s artwork: Tipp City imagined as a quilt. In one featured piece you will see Coldwater Café along with other Tipp landmarks.

“As we walked, I began to be inspired by the shapes and colors that I think are iconic in Tipp, like the blue rounded awnings of Coldwater Café, the storefront of Sam and Ethels, or even the granary on 571. These are things we see all the time, and yet they are part of the visual fabric we take for granted. Honestly, the quilt square idea came about because I felt like it lent itself to the flat simplified shape and color usage that I wanted to explore. Then it just grew into a way to show Tipp's connectedness,” Kuntz explained.

Heather Bailey agrees.

“Tipp City is a gem of a community that perfectly balances small-town charm with a forward-thinking spirit. With its historic downtown, locally owned businesses, scenic parks, and strong sense of civic pride, Tipp City offers a welcoming environment where neighbors support one another. The city's excellent schools, vibrant arts and culture scene, and numerous community events make it an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Bailey.

So, if there was one key takeaway from the annual report, Bailey says, it would be this: “The key takeaway from the report is that generosity fuels progress. Every donation, large or small, contributes to a stronger, more vibrant Tipp City and Bethel Township. Through the power of collective giving, we can uplift local organizations, enhance education, support the arts, and foster a thriving community for all,” said Bailey.

The annual report will begin hitting mailboxes later this week. If you would like one, please call 937-528-2482. If you leave your name and mailing address, you’ll be added to the list.

The Tipp City Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Tipp City and Bethel Township by providing grants to local nonprofit organizations. Its mission is to connect community generosity with local needs, ensuring that philanthropic contributions create meaningful and lasting impact. Whether supporting education, the arts, historical preservation, health initiatives, or social services, the Foundation serves as a trusted steward of charitable giving, strengthening the community both now and for future generations. They would love to hear from you if you have any questions about applying for a grant or if you would like to contribute.

By Nancy Bowman

We Care Arts has a mission of empowering the healing of people with diverse abilities through art and community. It aims to foster self-esteem and independence through creative expression and practical skill development.

“Our vision is a future where people with diverse abilities can achieve their full potential and feel embraced by an inclusive society. We Care Arts increases confidence and artistic skill in a variety of individuals,” said Kelli Campbell, marketing coordinator for the nonprofit We Care Arts.

Locally, We Care Arts offers high school Transition to Work classes.

The organization, founded in 1983 by Terry Schalnat, brings its mission to life through ArtWORKS classes at Tipp City, Bethel and Piqua high schools in Miami County along with nearly 20 more in five other counties.  The program plans to reach out to Troy and Milton Union high schools about participation, Campbell said.

Among program supporters is the Tipp City Foundation, which most recently provided awards from two of its 63 funds. The William’s Gift fund issued $5,226.53 while $1,000 was given from the Robinson-Walters Fund.

“The distribution committee has supported We Care Arts over the years because of its unique mission,” said Jim Ranft, chairman of that committee. “Their programs support three of our six areas of emphasis: education, social services and the arts.”

The Transition to Work in-school programs offer materials to special needs teachers providing instruction for students ages 16-22.

“We Care Arts supplements their experience by providing weekly art classes that reinforce crucial life and job skills at no cost to the student, school or district. We Care Arts provides individual bags with all needed art supplies for all projects for each student in the class as well as the teacher bag. There are also corresponding YouTube instructional video links provided for each of the art projects in each kit,” Campbell said.

In addition to the 2024 grant, the Tipp City Foundation has provided the following grants over the past few years: $5,124 in 2023, $2,500 in 2021, $5,000 in 2019, and  $3,000 in 2018.

"In the early 1990’s I had the pleasure of meeting Terry Schalnat.  At that time, the array of behavioral health services at Good Samaritan Hospital included an outpatient treatment program for people with severe mental illnesses.  As an adjunct to that treatment service, Good Samaritan offered a daytime “social club” (The Community Club) for our patients with severe mental illnesses,” said Sue McGatha, who was behavioral health services line director at Good Samaritan at the time.

“Terry worked with us to bring We Care Arts staff to The Community Club and to help our patients integrate art into their recovery process.  Our patients truly benefitted from the services,” she said. Sue established the Robinson-Walters Fund of the Tipp City Foundation in 2019.

People can support We Care Arts ArtWorks, Employment Services, Outreach and TTW programs by:

• One-time and recurring cash donations
• Provide items from Amazon Wish List
• Sponsor events
• In-kind donations
• Buy art from its Town & Country Gift shop in Kettering
• Volunteer in classes and for events.

For more information, visit www.WeCareArts.org.