The Bryan Area Foundation, Millcreek-West Unity Area Foundation, and Montpelier Area Foundation independently agreed to financially support an engineering study for the Wabash Cannonball Trail. Once the study results are evaluated, the Friends of Montpelier Parks can apply for grants and capital funds to pay for the paving of the trail from County Road 13 to the Fulton County line, east of West Unity. Improving the Wabash Cannonball Trail would give Williams County a safe and well-maintained outdoor space for walking, biking, and equestrian use. It would also provide an economic benefit for the region.

Realizing the significance of paving the trail, all three Foundations collaboratively gave a total of $10,000 to the study. Its results should be received in the fall of 2023, so additional funding can be secured. The goal is to complete the paving in the future, enhancing a recreational area for all community members to enjoy.

Pictured Left to right: Patsy Miller, Millcreek-West Unity Area Foundation President; Jenny Horn, Bryan Area Foundation Director of Communications and Programs; Chris Kannel, Village of Montpelier City Council Member; Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO; Barb Watson, Montpelier Area Foundation President; Sandy Gordon, Village of Montpelier Parks and Recreation Department; Jason Rockey, Village of Montpelier Manager; and Nate Thompson, Village of Montpelier City Council President.

The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $5,000 check to the Bryan Development Foundation and Christkindl Market to purchase heating stations. Pictured left to right is Amy Miller, President/CEO of the Bryan Area Foundation, presenting the check to Ann Spangler and Russ Davies, representing the Bryan Development Foundation and Christkindl Market.

The Williams County Humane Society received a $7,000 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to install a disposal trough and build two new fenced-in dog grass play areas. From left to right, pictured during the check presentation are Mark Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair; Alicia Strup, Williams County Humane Society Operations Manager; and Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO.

The Bryan Area Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. for the Northwest Ohio Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Symposium. The grant will help pay for crime victim service professionals in our area to attend a two-day training that increases awareness, education, and advanced instruction on dealing with and recognizing survivors of sexual assault. Guests and presenters from various fields, including legal, law enforcement, medical, education, social workers, and victim advocates, will participate in the program, enabling them to learn and implement the training in their businesses.

Participants in the check presentation from left to right are Katie Shaffer, Executive Director at Sarah’s Friends and planning committee member for the symposium; Sharla Young, Coordinator for the SART Clinic of Northwest Ohio; Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation, President/CEO; and Mark Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair.

The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $2,500 Founders Grant to the Village of Edgerton. The monies will be used to purchase ADA picnic tables and benches that will be installed around Gerhart Park in Edgerton. The new equipment should be in place by the spring of 2023. Pictured left to right accepting the grant are Dawn Fitzcharles, Village Administrator of Edgerton, and Amy Miller, President/CEO of the Bryan Area Foundation.

The Edgerton Firefighters Association received a $2,500 Founders Grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to have an exterior mural designed by Edgerton native Carl Yarger and painted by Auburn, Indiana native and retired art teacher Amy Buchs. Located on the south side of the Rita’s Family Dining building in Edgerton’s downtown square commercial district, this mural features the village’s name and year it was incorporated. An average of 6,500 cars are estimated to pass through the community daily, which will help showcase this new grand-scale artwork. Pictured left to right presenting the check is Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller to Village of Edgerton Fire Department Chief Scott Blue.

Bryan Soccer Association received a grant of $30,000 for goal and field improvements.

Founded in 1991, Sarah’s Friends, is a non-profit in Williams County providing non-judgmental support for those harmed by crime. Operating with the mission to empower victims of domestic violence and abuse to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually, Sarah’s Friends delivers a continuum of care in a manner that promotes individual and family safety, autonomy, and dignity.  Serving 175 people each year, they offer compassionate aid, advocacy and referrals, and supportive in-house services.

Sarah’s Friends also has four transitional housing units and recently the Bryan Area Foundation granted them $17,850 to renovate unit 114. The newly remodeled apartment will give the individual moving in the opportunity to become economically stable, gainfully employed, and independently sufficient.  All survivors and their independents can be housed for a minimum of six months, with possible extensions up to twenty-four months, until they reach a point of sustainability.   

Shalom Counseling & Mediation Center received a Founders Grant for $2,500 to create an attractive and highly functional outdoor space for therapists to offer counseling in a natural setting. The project required removing landscape gravel, excavating, and preparing the area for setting forms, reinforcing mesh wire, and pouring concrete. There are now patio tables with umbrellas, chairs, and a small water feature with potted flowers that provide staff and clients with a tranquil setting.

This summer the Edon Area Ministerial Association received a $500 grant to pay for supplies needed to run their summer food lunch program. Children, ages 1-18, were invited to the Harold C. Baker Park in Edon for a free lunch and activities hosted by community volunteers and the Edon High School Basketball and Cheerleading teams. In its fourth year, this program allows adults and youth to interact in a positive way, along with receiving a healthy meal.

A grant of $1,080 was awarded to the American Legion for new American Flags for Bryan’s Downtown Square.

The Bed Brigade, a ministry through Trinity Lutheran Church in Bryan, provides beds and linens to those in need. A $2,000 grant was given to the Bed Brigade for bed building supplies.

A grant of $17,000 was given to the Stryker Public Library to update the current building to reflect the changing needs of the community by adding more gathering space. Renovations also include updating the shelving, furniture, new flooring and paint.

Sandy Cay, Inc. received a grant of $24,000 for renovations to their facility. The renovations will include replacement of the roof and the sidewalk ramp. The Bryan Center, an educational center through Sandy Cay, Inc., serves children with autism spectrum disorders.

A grant of $1,500 was given to the Williams County Sheriff’s Department for training upgrades for their Mounted Division. The Mounted Division provides search and rescue operations, special events, and ground control.

A grant of $2,500 was awarded to the Bryan Development Foundation for their High Five to Thrive Campaign.

Fountain City Festival was awarded a grant of $2,500 for their 2021 musical, Cinderella.

A Renewed Mind, a behavioral healthcare provider, was awarded a grant of $1,975 to purchase a defibrillator and training.

Sandy Cay, Inc. was awarded a grant of $2,500 to purchase four new doors for their facility.

St. Patrick Catholic School in Bryan was awarded a grant of $2,100 for their summer reading program.

The Williams County Family YMCA was awarded a grant of $2,500 to replace the lighting in the gym with LED lights.

A grant of $2,500 was awarded to Bloom Kids Closet for their Hanger Program. Bloom Kids Closet’s mission is to encourage self-worth and dignity for youth experiencing hardship and provide them with clothing and hygiene products.

The United Way of Williams County Ohio COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund was launched on March 19, 2020, to help ensure individuals, children and families in need are supported during this pandemic. United Way of Williams County and their partners are working with the human services sector to identify immediate needs and make emergency funds available to organizations working directly with vulnerable populations. 100% of donations go directly to Williams County organizations who are serving those in need due to the pandemic.
Given the increased needs in our community, the Bryan Area Foundation responded with a matching dollar-for-dollar $10,000 grant to the United Way of Williams County for the COVID-19 Economic Relief Fund.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio was awarded a grant of $12,000 from the Ralph A. and Helen C. Miller Memorial Alzheimer’s Field of Interest Fund. The Alzheimer’s Association provides care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s. This grant will help to recruit and support the training of volunteers that will represent the Alzheimer’s Association at community events, facilitate caregiver support groups and present evidence-based educational programs.

The Edgerton Local School was awarded a grant of $15,000 for their Athletic Capital Campaign. This capital campaign will renovate several of their athletic facilities including the track, the football press box and bleachers, the softball and baseball cages, and the archery range.

The Williams County Humane Society was awarded a grant of $1,034 for their Community Cat Program. The program offers spay and neuter vouchers to the public to help control the community cat population. Cats are also given a rabies vaccination to help the spread of the disease and then returned to their area.

A grant of $10,000 was awarded to the Kiwanis Foundation of Bryan to purchase outdoor musical playground equipment for Roseland Park and the East End Park in Bryan. The musical playground equipment has many educational benefits and provides children greater music exposure.

The Bryan Baseball Association was awarded a grant of $50,000 for their Bryan Baseball Capital Campaign. The grant will be used to improve facilities at Garver Park including the press box, batting cage, pitching mound and to purchase a new scoreboard.

The Bryan Development Foundation was awarded a grant of $5,000 to purchase tents and tables for use of the Farmers Market and for other downtown events.

Wesley United Methodist Church was awarded a grant of $9,148 to establish the Northwest Plains Freedom School. This program is a six-week summer literacy retention program for elementary students designed to prevent summer learning loss. The program provides an integrated reading curriculum with enrichment opportunities and field trips to broaden the student’s perspective and experiences.

Sauder Village was given a grant of $25,000 for Phase II of their 1920s Main Street Community project. This project will recreate an authentic 1920s streetscape with key businesses typical of Northwest Ohio during that era and will serve as a permanent educational resource that will benefit generations to come.

A grant of $200,000 was given to the Bryan Athletic Boosters to construct six tennis courts located on the Bryan school campus. The new courts will allow the tennis team to host tournaments and will also be used for K-12 PE curriculum.

A grant of $20,000 was used to establish the Drug Free Club at Four County Career Center. The club empowers students, parents and educators with effective strategies to stay drug-free. Students are recognized and rewarded for healthy decisions, creating an environment for growing and encouraging a positive community culture.

The Village of Edon was awarded a grant of $5,000 to replace the 40-year-old basketball court at Walz Park. The project will replace the court and include new basketball posts, rims and backboard. Lighting will also be installed creating a safe court for the community.