ServeOhio, the Governor-appointed commission on service and volunteerism, announces grant awards to support 22 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects throughout January totaling more than $20,000. Much like Dr. King’s legacy, these grants will help nonprofits across the state improve their communities through service and volunteer activities. The grants will fund service projects in seventeen Ohio cities led by more than 1,600 volunteers.
Each project commits to bringing volunteers together to create or improve community assets or infrastructure and supports local community engagement and impact. Additionally, every project includes an education component based on Dr. King’s message of peace, unity, and service to create long-term, sustainable change. Each grant totals between $250 – $1,000.
Grantees include:
Athens County Foundation, Stewart – 35 volunteers will participate in a clean up day at Tablertown People of Color Museum and a book drive.
Aultman Hospital, Canton – 20 volunteers will assemble meal kits for families experiencing food insecurity.
Case Western Reserve University, Chagrin Falls – 25 volunteers will beautify and clean a community garden.
Charity Newsies, Columbus – 80 volunteers will organize and sort clothing for a children’s clothing giveaway.
City of Maple Heights, Maple Heights – 10 volunteers will assemble kits to address basic needs for mothers while in the hospital after giving birth.
Envision Partnerships, Hamilton – 50 volunteers will participate in a community clean-up.
Grace Clinics of Ohio, Inc., Columbus – 30 volunteers will prepare a community garden for growing season.
Leveling the Playing Field – Ohio, Columbus – 20 volunteers will reorganize sports equipment to be given to schools and youth programs.
Mosaic Church, Dayton – 300 volunteers will assemble hygiene kits for those experiencing homelessness.
Neighborhood Services Inc., Columbus – 40 volunteers will beautify and clean-up the food pantry.
Nelsonville-York City Schools, Nelsonville – 40 students will learn cleaning and maintenance skills from city works and complete projects around the city.
Ohio Northern University, Ada – 100 volunteers will preparer hygiene kits for local senior citizens.
Pride Among Daughters and Sisters, Cleveland Heights – 15 volunteers will package feminine hygiene kits for several organizations to distribute.
University of Akron and South Street Ministries, Akron – 40 volunteers will guide families through a school supply and winter gear “shop”.
Seton High School, Cincinnati – 150 volunteers will assemble gift bags for families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House.
The Ohio State University, Columbus – 500 volunteers will participate in a variety of projects, including packaging snack bags for those experiencing food insecurity.
United Way of Delaware County, Delaware – 20 volunteers will coordinate a diaper bank drive-thru.
United Way of Greater Toledo, Toledo – 40 volunteers will organize school supplies to be donated to families and schools.
Village of Mantua, Mantua – 10 volunteers will repair and beautify the Park Lodge which is also used as a senior center.
West Clermont Local School District, Cincinnati – 25 volunteers will beautify and add encouraging decorations to the school’s library and restrooms.
Wittenberg University Hagen Center for Civic & Urban Engagement, Springfield – 60 college student volunteers will serve alongside middle school students in a variety of service-learning projects.
WPCU Sunshine Community Fund, Dayton – 25 volunteers will package health and wellness bags.
