"Let Us Help You Create Your Legacy."
"Let Us Help You Create Your Legacy."
Grants from unrestricted funds support a variety of programs and services throughout Ottawa County. We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community.
Our scholarship funds annually assist local high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education and training. Several special scholarships are also available.
You may establish a named fund with the Foundation either during your lifetime or through your estate plan. Many options are available to donors to begin their fund.
OCCF extends special thanks to Keith Walker, President of Walker Funeral Homes & Crematory, the newest member of OCCF’s Business Partners Giving Society. The company is acknowledged at the Benefactor level — the highest recognition tier.
“We at Walker greatly value the contribution that Ottawa County Community Foundation continually makes to the county,” said Mr. Walker. “We are very pleased to support the great work that they are doing.”
Since its establishment in 1933, Walker Funeral Homes & Crematory has helped families face the loss of a loved one. Providing services in many areas of northwest Ohio, its Ottawa County locations include Gerner-Wolf-Walker in Port Clinton and Robinson-Walker in Oak Harbor and Genoa. Whether choosing a traditional funeral, a cremation ceremony or a more creative end-of-life farewell, the Walker team plans and conducts a memorial event that honors the story of a lifetime. For information, visit www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
As the Foundation has grown under Executive Director Shea McGrew, it became evident that administrative help was needed. The OCCF Board of Trustees recently approved a new part-time Administrative Assistant staff position, and Brenda Mazur was hired to fill the role. Brenda appreciates this opportunity which allows her to contribute to the community furthering OCCF’s broader efforts, while prioritizing her family responsibilities. Join the Board in extending a warm welcome to Brenda.
Most recently a substitute teacher, Brenda earned a bachelor's degree in Biology from Bowling Green State University and an Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Science (Certified ASCP MLT) and spent several years as a laboratory technician.
Brenda and her husband Chris are both PCHS Alumni. They enjoy camping in the summer and spending time with their three daughters and a menagerie of family pets.
Please welcome Shea McGrew, new Executive Director for the Foundation!
According to OCCF Board of Trustees President Jan Preston, “Shea is the ideal candidate to serve in this important leadership role, and we look forward to the contributions he will make offering his skills, experience, and management style to help this organization grow.”
McGrew reports to the Board of Directors and is charged with meeting goals and contributing to the overall growth of the Foundation while overseeing both the day-to-day operations for the organization and the special initiatives.
“My goal is to reach out regularly to donors, prospective donors, and the community to build relationships of trust and ‘tell the story’ of the Ottawa County Community Foundation,” said McGrew.
“I look forward to furthering the mission of creating a better community for generations to come.”
Joy Roth founded the Ottawa County Community Foundation with a group of local citizens in 1999 and served as its President until her passing last year. She could easily be described as the foundation’s “foremost champion,” working tirelessly in pursuit of its mission, “Doing Good. Forever.”
Joy was also an avid fan of the Auburn Tigers football team and was known by her family and friends to be somewhat of a “little tiger” herself. So, as a way to honor Joy’s memory and legacy, the OCCF Board created the Joy Roth Little Tiger Award to recognize community champions who give back to the community.
The inaugural Little Tiger Award was presented to Bistro 163 along with a check for $500. The staff and team of volunteers at Bistro 163 in Port Clinton helped serve around 20,000 meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and are still doing so to this day. Babs Klacik, general manager of the “pay it forward” restaurant, accepted the award on behalf of her staff and volunteers.
“She (Joy) would be just thrilled that Bistro 163 got the first Little Tiger Award,” said Jeff Roth, Joy's husband. Joy had been a volunteer for Bistro 163 since it started in 2016.
Skilled Trades Academy graduates.