2012 WCCF Annual Dinner

Community Foundation Impacts Wayne County

Wooster, Ohio: Over 200 supporters of the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) came together Wednesday, October 10, to celebrate the organization’s recent achievements and to hear about the impact philanthropy is having on the community. Chairman J.C. Johnston, III introduced the trustees and special guests, and noted that as a result of strategic planning, the WCCF increased its staff by 50 percent with the addition of Lacie Neal, development coordinator, whose primary focus is to increase visibility in all parts of the county.

Executive Director Ferenc Relle, Jr.’s presentation focused on the impactful commitments of the Foundation, and its donors, throughout Wayne County. “Our donors have helped us in being the community fundraising conduit for several major community initiatives,” noted Relle. Over the past year WCCF has administered fundraising initiatives for Oak Hill Park, Dalton High School and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County’s “A Place Like Home.”

Richard (Dick) Wagner was inducted as the organizations fifth Emeritus Trustee. Wagner was an instrumental part of the organization, serving on the Board of Trustees since its founding in 1978. Wagner, a firm believer in volunteerism, community, faith and mission, said he leaves the position of Trustee “knowing the foundation is in good hands and will continue to provide valuable service to Wayne County.” Retiring from the WCCF Board of Trustees in June 2012, Wagner was immediately nominated as a Trustee Emeritus, an honor given to trustees of the board who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the organization, for his outstanding and dedicated service to the community.

The aim of philanthropy is to improve quality of life throughout the community. Keynote speaker, George Espy, president of the Ohio Grantmakers Forum, provided the hard data behind the impact of philanthropy throughout the State of Ohio and the role community foundations play in building up communities. Last year alone, Ohioans gave a total of $6.2 billion in charitable dollars to a variety of non-profit organizations. The role of the WCCF is to improve the quality of life in Wayne County by connecting donors with community needs they care about, and providing leadership on critical community issues. Over the past five years, WCCF has awarded 3,711 grants totaling over $20.4 million back into the community.

Since 1978, the Wayne County Community Foundation has been working to strengthen the community we all share. It is a nonprofit charitable community organization. Since inception, WCCF has awarded over $52 million in grants and scholarships back into the community. 

To see more pictures of the evening, please visit our Facebook page.