Mary Rutan Foundation Invests Nearly $40,000 in Youth, Families, and Seniors

The Mary Rutan Foundation has invested $39,862 through its 2026-2027 Community Wellness Grant Program to support initiatives focused on youth mental health, youth healthy living, and senior care. Funding was awarded to 18 organizations and schools supporting 20 programs that will serve children, families, and older adults throughout the community.

The funded programs represent a broad range of community wellness efforts, including student wellness initiatives, food security programs, youth recreation opportunities, family support services, independent living education, senior nutrition services, and projects that improve access to essential health and hygiene resources.

Among the initiatives receiving support are programs that provide care closet resources for students, promote literacy and positive behaviors in schools, offer adventure experiences for children facing life-threatening illnesses, deliver meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors, expand access to nutritious food, provide support to individuals and families living with disabilities, and enhance community spaces that encourage active lifestyles.

“The strength of this year’s grant program reflects the dedication of organizations and schools working every day to improve the health and well-being of others,” said Bobbie Trittschuh, Executive Director of the Mary Rutan Foundation. “We are proud to invest in programs that create opportunities, address important needs, and contribute to a healthier, stronger community.”

The Mary Rutan Foundation established its Community Wellness Grant Program in 2014 to foster partnerships that promote and support community well-being. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $500,000 to organizations committed to improving the lives of area residents. Many of these initiatives continue to make a lasting impact through sustained partnerships and additional funding support.

For more information about the Mary Rutan Foundation and its community initiatives, please call (937) 599-7003 or visit MaryRutan.org.

2026-2027 Community Wellness Grant Recipients

The Mary Rutan Foundation invested $39,862 through its Community Wellness Grant Program to support the following initiatives focused on youth mental health, youth healthy living, and senior care.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Bellefontaine High School, $1,500 – Opportunity Program

Bellefontaine Middle School, $1,400 – Care Closet

Benjamin Logan Middle School, $1,300 – Being a Girl at Benjamin Logan Middle ROX!

Calvary Christian School, $2,000 – Project Playground

Indian Lake Elementary School, $550 – A Quiet, Calm Corner

Indian Lake Middle School, $500 – We Are Glad You’re Here

Peak of Hope Homeless Shelter, $2,100 – The Bridge to Independence Program

Where the Church Meets, $1,000 – Teens of Progress

YOUTH HEALTHY LIVING

A Kid Again, $2,500 – Adventures for Logan County Families

Benjamin Logan Middle School, $2,400 – Book Vending Machine for Ben Logan Middle PBIS System

Indian Lake Elementary School $2,500 – Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs

Indian Lake Schools, $3,000 – The Lake Effect: Student Health and Hygiene Initiative

Logan County Ag Society, $2,500 – Growing Healthy Kids

Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Foundation, $2,500 – Family Support Services

Logan County Neighborhood Outreach, $500 – Fishing for Change

Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties, $2,500 – Food Distributions

West Liberty Lions Foundation, $5,000 – Walking Path Repaving

West Liberty-Salem Athletic Boosters, $1,000 – Stronger Together: Cardio, Recovery & Community Wellness at WL-S

SENIOR CARE

LifeCare Alliance, $3,000 – Meals-on-Wheels in Logan County

YMCA of Central Ohio, $2,112 – Active Older Adults