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It started as a way to give back — and to honor the example of their father and grandfather.

In those early days, the numbers were smaller and the number of people the Strimbu family helped was just beginning to make an impact.

Now, 30 years and more than $3.4 million later, the reasons they carry on are the same — helping those who need a hand up and supporting their community, the lessons Nick Strimbu Jr. taught them all.

The next generation of the Strimbu Memorial Fund has its sights on bigger and better — and ripples that extend even further.

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Strimbu Memorial Fund distributes more than $148K to area agencies

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Sharon, Penn.— At its recent 30th Annual Gift Giving meeting the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors voted to disperse grant allocations to local economic development and charitable organizations totaling $148,087.

On Dec. 20, individuals representing these non-profits, charitable groups and those organizations involved in economic advancement, gathered at Penn-Northwest Development Corp. in Sharon, Pa., to receive their grants distributed by the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Brookfield Local Schools (STEAM)
• Brookfield Township
• Community Library of the Shenango Valley (STEAM)
• E-Academy at Linden Pointe
• Guardian Nest
• Homes for Kids
• Inspiring Minds
• Joshua’s Haven
• Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley
• Meals on Wheels Trumbull County
• Mercer County Coalition for Drug Awareness
• Mercer County Mentoring
• New Life Baptist Church
• Operation Lighthouse
• Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
• Prince of Peace AWESOME Program
• Shop with a Cop Program—Farrell
• The American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter
• The Hope Center for Arts & Technology
• The Salvation Army—Sharon
• United Way of Mercer County
• Waterfire Sharon
• West Hill Ministries

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded these grants to assist in these organization’s development efforts and provide assistance and programs to those in need,” said Bill Strimbu. “Their work is extremely important and beneficial to our surrounding communities.”

Also at its Annual Gift Giving meeting, Jim Grasso, president; Gary Hoff, vice president; Frank Krieder, treasurer; and John Matune, secretary; were re-elected to terms ending in 2021. Strimbu Memorial Fund board members Paul O’Brien, Charles Carrier, Bill Strimbu II, John Matune and Steve O’Brien were re-elected for three year terms ending in 2021.

Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided over $3.4 million in donations to local economic development, individuals, scholarships and charitable organizations. Just this past year, the fund awarded more than $157,000 in such grants and scholarships to local students.

“This 30 year tradition of giving was started by the example set by Nick Strimbu Jr. during his lifetime. We continue to perpetuate his legacy of philanthropic giving to assist with the needs of our community,” said President of the Board Jim Grasso.

The 22th Annual Wild Game Dinner is being planned for Feb. 17, 2019, along with the 30th Annual Strimbu Memorial BBQ set for May 1, 2019. Funds raised by the two events will enable the SMF to continue its philanthropic support of area charitable initiatives.

More information about the Strimbu Memorial Fund is available at the Memorial Fund’s website, strimbumemorialfund.com.

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BROOKFIELD, Ohio)—The 29th Annual Strimbu Bar-B-Que drew a sell-out crowd of 1,600 on Wednesday, May 2 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. First National Bank was the major sponsor of the event.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided $3.3 million in support of academic scholarships, local economic development, individuals in need and numerous charitable organizations. At this year’s BBQ, it awarded $34,000 in scholarships to local high school students. Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of the Strimbu BBQ go to these scholarships and grants.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Jim Grasso. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

The BBQ, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, featured an endless buffet reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que. This year’s entertainment featured country-rock star Chris Higbee. His extraordinary fiddle playing became widely known and he was asked to play fiddle alongside music icon Charlie Daniels.

The event also featured both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as a Sea-Doo Spark 3-Up, a Lake Erie fishing trip, a John Deere TS 2018 Gator, a Roxor by Mahindra, travel packages, a John Deere 2540M Zero Turn Mower, golf packages and more.

This year, the fund awarded twelve $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships. The requirements were established to mirror the example that Nick Strimbu Jr. demonstrated during his lifetime. The fund’s philosophy is simple: one of the most substantial ways to enhance our community’s future is to help educate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

The overall $10,000 scholarship winner was Jennifer Greskovich from Badger High School. The scholarship was provided by Steel Dynamics.

The 30th Annual Strimbu Memorial Fund BBQ is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

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Community News — The Tribune Chronicle

BROOKFIELD –The 29th annual Strimbu BBQ is planned for May 2 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom as part of a fundraising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. The event is sponsored by First National Bank.

Board President Jim Grasso said since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided $3.3 million to support academic scholarships, local economic development groups, nonprofits and other charitable organizations.

Grasso said during the past year, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has distributed $147,250 in grants to area organizations and individuals. In addition, the fund has awarded $36,000 in scholarships to exemplary seniors from area high schools who exhibit the qualities of leadership and self-reliance.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley. In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person — and that is worth millions,” Grasso said.

This year, the fund will award leadership college scholarships at the annual event in the amount of $2,000 each to seniors in 12 local school districts, with an additional student winning a $10,000 college scholarship as the overall leader.

This year entertainment will feature country-rock star Chris Higbee.

In addition, the night will feature both silent and live auctions, with many unique items.

Tickets are $90 and available online at www.strimbumemorialfund.org, from any board member or by calling Pam at 330-448-4046, Ext. 134.

Strimbu Memorial Fund BBQ – Video Interview

Read this article at The Sharon Herald

At its recent 29th Annual Gift Giving meeting the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors voted to disperse grant allocations to local economic development and charitable organizations and individuals in need totaling $147,250.

On Dec. 15, individuals representing these non-profits, charitable groups and those organizations involved in economic advancement, gathered at Penn-Northwest Development Corp. in Sharon, Pa., to receive their grants distributed by the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors.

Along with individuals in need, grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Community Library of the Shenango Valley
• Glamorous Gutless Girls
• Home for Jaime
• Inspiring Minds
• Joshua’s Haven
• Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley
• Meals on Wheels Trumbull County
• Mercer County Coalition for Drug Awareness
• Mercer County Mentoring
• Military Affairs of Northeast Ohio
• Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
• Prince of Peace Center
• Shop with a Cop Program—Farrell
• The American Red Cross, Lake to River Chapter
• The Hope Center for Arts & Technology
• The Salvation Army—Sharon
• United Way of Mercer County
• West Hill Ministries

Above photos courtesy of Joe Pinchot/News on the Green.

“These grants are essential to the organizations that assist in economic development efforts and provide assistance and programs to those in need,” said Bill Strimbu. “Their work is extremely important and beneficial to our surrounding communities.”

Also at its Annual Gift Giving meeting, Bernard Carpenter, James Grasso, Jerry Hrabosky, Ron Rice and Bill Strimbu were re-elected to the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors for three year terms ending in 2020.

Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided over $3.3 million in donations to local economic development, individuals, scholarships and charitable organizations. Just this past year, the fund awarded $207,000 in such grants and scholarships to local students.

“It is just as important as what we do as an organization as the dollar amount that has been given over the years,” said President of the Board Jim Grasso. “None of this would have happened without Nick Strimbu Jr. as our first leader.”

The 21th Annual Wild Game Dinner is being planned for Feb. 18, 2018, along with the 29th Annual Strimbu Memorial BBQ set for May 2, 2018. Funds raised by the two events will enable the SMF to continue its philanthropic support of area charitable initiatives.

More information about the Strimbu Memorial Fund is available at the Memorial Fund’s website, strimbumemorialfund.com.

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