ASHTABULA – Lynn Zalewski, president of the Ashtabula Foundation, provided a warm welcome for the recipients at the foundation’s Human Services Grant Award Presentations June 16 in Ashtabula.
“We are just honored that you help us for the betterment of Ashtabula County,” she said. “It’s really our mission, and we couldn’t do what we do without each of you, so we’re glad that you’re here.”
At the Greater Ashtabula Chamber of Commerce office in Ashtabula, the Ashtabula Foundation gave out awards totaling $194,702 to several organizations. When matching grants are included, the amount was a little more than $200,000.
Zalewski noted the demand was great.
“Our initial requests for this cycle were over double what we had available budgeted for it, so we had many difficult decisions to make, so congratulations to each of you for being here,” she said.
The largest award – $50,000 and an up-to-additional $10,000 matching grant – was presented to the United Way of Ashtabula County.
Rick Coblitz, a board director with the foundation, congratulated the United Way of Ashtabula County on the award.
“This is the largest award that we give out annually, not necessarily always, but that is generally what it has been,” he said of the $50,000 grant.
He also spoke about the matching grant.
“We have an extra kicker that we have done for a couple of years where we also put a $10,000 – sort of like a matching grant – in there for any new campaign or employer contribution that’s done,” he said.
He noted that the United Way’s campaign is focused on the pillars of basic human needs – food, shelter, clothing, and health – in an effort to support their local partner charity organizations.
Patti Andersen, executive director of the United Way of Ashtabula County, accepted the award and thanked the Ashtabula Foundation.
She noted the United Way’s long history with the Ashtabula Foundation.
“For over 100 years, the Ashtabula Foundation has funded the United Way of Ashtabula County,” she said.
She said that for over a century, the foundation has understood and supported the United Way’s mission “in that when we pool our resources together, we have a greater impact on our community.”
“There are many of our partner charities in the audience today, and they can attest to the importance of the United Way type of funding, where we go out to organizations and businesses throughout our community and request that employees donate to an employee giving campaign,” she said.
When asked for comment, Andersen said she was honored every year by the foundation’s award.
She said the foundation is an impressive organization.
“They understand the importance of the United Way, and you can tell that by the size of their gift they give us,” she commented.
Andersen noted that the United Way raises money for 21 agencies in the county.
“And then those agencies request grants from us, and we distribute the grant money,” she said.
The award from the foundation will go toward the United Way’s annual campaign for 2026 to benefit the 21 organizations it helps. The campaign goal for 2026 was $400,000.
At the time of the presentation, Andersen said the United Way was very close to its goal and was hopeful that it would be reached.
There were several other awards.
A $15,000 grant awarded to the American Red Cross – Northeast Ohio Chapter to support blood drives in Ashtabula County.
Megan Winans, who represented the American Red Cross, accepted the grant and thanked the foundation on behalf of the organization.
She said it was incredible gift that will go a long way.
“We’re truly thankful for your commitment,” she said.
An award of $25,000 to Ash/Craft Industries, Inc. will pay for the purchase of new chairs and adjustable steel tables. At the presentation, it was noted that Ash/Craft Industries is an organization committed to the provision of programs and services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities through the enhancement of vocational and social skills that enable them to live, work and participate in the community as independently as possible.
Jill Oliver, center director for Ash/Craft, and Julie Vallimont, office manager for Ash/Craft, accepted the award for Ash/Craft Industries. It was noted that Ash/Craft will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and the tables and chairs are about 50 years old and need replaced.
“Some of these have been here a very long time,” Vallimont said.
The Ashtabula County Community Action Agency will use a $9,702 grant for increasing meals for its senior meal program at The Village Table Café in Jefferson.
Katie Lamson, the director of senior and community services for Community Action, accepted the award and said, “Thank you so much for this funding to allow us to continue serving seniors and providing them an environment to get out and see their friends and eat a meal.”
Other awards presented were:
• Ashtabula Dream Center – $5,000 toward technology upgrades
• Catholic Charities – $15,000 to support a program that provides intensive case management and financial assistance to low-income homeowners who are in crisis in Ashtabula County
• Cleveland Rape Crisis Center – $20,000 to support expanding sexual violence services in southern Ashtabula County
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank – $5,000 in support of the purchase of food and its activities in Ashtabula County
• Lake County Free Clinic – $12,500 for a mobile unit that will be coming into Ashtabula County to serve underserved students and families
• Reserve Care (formerly Hospice of the Western Reserve) – $10,000 for palliative care
• Running2bwell – $7,500 for the purchase of running shoes to support its therapeutic, wellness and fitness program at Glenbeigh
• Signature Health, Inc. – $5,000 to support its Ashtabula Area Child Advocacy Center which “provides child victims of sexual and physical abuse and their families a safe and caring environment for the disclosure and treatment of their traumatic experiences”
• The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland – $15,000 for a new program called Kinship Care along with housing and legal services for veterans
