2018 Grants Awarded

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Since the creation of the Defiance Area Foundation, the Defiance Public Library System has benefited from the various grants and support over the years totaling over $96,000. These grants have facilitated new resources for the community and helped to maintain the historic Carnegie building that is so loved by the citizens of our county. In fact, the first grant of $5,000 was given to the library to create a much need parking area for patrons. This project from 1982 is something that is used every day either by library-goers or those visiting the fort grounds.

The most recent grant provided as part of the 40th anniversary helped our MakerSpace add new tools for the public to use. Since the MakerSpace has opened we have been able to help patrons with their maker needs through items for weddings, Christmas gifts, baby showers, graduation parties, school projects, and even to make a banner welcoming a group of visitors from the Yucatan peninsula. The MakerSpace has made a great impact in our community as everyone who has gotten to use it is grateful to use the equipment saving them money & space at home.

Additionally, the branches in Sherwood and Hicksville have also benefited from the DAF grants over the years. Not a chance to use the MakerSpace equipment at monthly programs, but they have also received grants for their individual organizations to support capital project and programming needs.

The Story Walk in Sherwood, which opened this year, was also supported by the DAF. The grand opening was on a rainy day in April and was well attended despite the weather. The books in the Story Walk change every few weeks to keep the walk interesting to visitors and gives the Sherwood community a healthy activity that promotes literacy in Defiance County.

Through the Crown Jewel project, the DAF has helped fund renovations that have preserved the beauty of the building and provide better service to our community. The library has added more functional furniture brought the building up to code for safety, and restored historic features of the library. As we reflect how the Defiance Area Foundation has aided the Defiance Public Library System over the years, we are grateful for the enormous support we have received and appreciate all they have done in our community.

 

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Wouldn’t it be neat to have a zip line at our school? This is how the conversation began with Finn and Trig Tingle with their parents over dinner. This initial conversation has grown into a youth philanthropy fund through The Defiance Area Foundation. Finn and Trig Tingle, twin sons of Tisha Rau Tingle and Kevin Tingle were the impetus behind the fundraising for an approximate $34,000 zip line to be constructed on the grades 3-5 playground at Defiance Elementary School. “We watched ‘American Ninja Warriors’ and it inspired us to have a zip line at school,” said Finn. They discussed the idea initially with their parents. Finn Tingle then asked for a meeting with their elementary principal, Deanne Held. The Tingle Family then began their initiative seeking approval from the Defiance City School Board and raising funds through various fund-raisers. The Defiance Area Foundation (DAF) awarded a $10,000 grant to the Ninja Warrior Playground Equipment project which was finalized in the spring of this year.

The 9-year-olds and their parents then talked about how to pay it forward to the community. “This inspired us to give back to the community,” said Tisha. “Since the zip line was fully funded, we would like to give back to the community, and work with The Defiance Area Foundation and help the youth receive the same type of benefit. We bounced the idea around at home. What if we could do this (fundraise) and help other kids?” So Finn and Trig donated their “give” piggy bank funds to a new youth philanthropy fund at the DAF. That gift totaled $113.49. The financially savvy youngsters have three piggy banks — “save, give and spend” banks. The new youth philanthropy fund has seed money totaling over $11,000, in addition to the Tingle boys’ contribution. The plan is to include youth on the committee as well as grown-ups. This fund will serve and benefit all of Defiance County. The vision of our new fund, currently referred to as YELP, (Youth Engaged Leadership & Philanthropy), is to empower and encourage the youth of our community to embrace their ideas for making the world a better place! By giving support to and mentoring the next generation, we will be preparing them for the great opportunities that no doubt lay ahead of them, but also as a whole, become better equipped and possess a changed perspective to create stronger communities!

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Clothes for Kids is a new program being expanded in our area through The Defiance Area Foundation. The mission of Clothes for Kids is to provide elementary age school children from financially challenged homes with new tennis (athletic) shoes and a new “Back to School Outfit” so children can feel good about themselves and their appearance. This would include the following NEW items: Hoodie or Jacket, Sweater or shirt, Pants, Underwear, Socks, Tennis Shoes. This program was founded and has been implemented over the past five years by Sharon Farrell, Defiance Area Foundation former Board Member, and is now being expanded to support and help more children and families. All County schools are invited to participate (Ayersville, Fairview, Hicksville, Tinora, Good Sam, Holy Cross, St. John’s Lutheran, along with Defiance City). During 2016 – a total of 98 children received new outfits and we had a total of 86 sponsors.  Additionally, shoes and underwear were donated so over 100 children benefits from the program.

 

     

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Thank you to the Fort Defiance Chapter of the DAR for purchasing two monuments for the Defiance County Home cemetery with a grant funded by The Defiance Area Foundation. The monuments list the names, birth and death dates of the 119 people who are buried there.