New board members selected; officers named
At its recent 27th 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 nearly $130,000. Individuals representing these non-profits, charitable groups and those organizations involved in economic advancement, gathered at the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH 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:
- The American Red Cross of Mercer County
- The American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, NE Ohio Region
- The Beatitude House
- Community Food Warehouse
- Community Library of the Shenango Valley
- Joshua’s Haven
- Military Affairs of Northeast Ohio
- Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
- Prince of Peace Center
- The Salvation Army
- United Way of Mercer County
- Community Food Warehouse
- Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley
- Meals on Wheels Trumbull County
- Meals on Wheels Mahoning County
- Rotary Club of Sharon
- Shop with a Cop Program
- The Hope Center for Arts & Technology
- West Hill Ministries
“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 community.”
The Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors recently distributed approximately $130,000 in grants to local economic development organizations, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Attending the check presentation were representatives from the American Red Cross of Mercer County; the American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, NE Ohio Region; Community Library of the Shenango Valley; Joshua’s Haven; Meals on Wheels-Shenango Valley; Meals on Wheels-Mahoning County; Penn-Northwest Development; Prince of Peace Center; Rotary Club of Sharon; Salvation Army; Shop with a Cop Program; United Way of Mercer County; and West Hill Ministries.
Also at its Annual Gift Giving meeting, Bill Strimbu II, Steve O’Brien and John Matune were nominated and elected to the board. The following officers were also chosen: Jim Grasso, president; Gary Hoff, vice president; Frank Kreider, treasurer; and John Matune, secretary.
Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. Its major event has enabled it to perpetuate Nick Strimbu Jr.’s legacy, the annual Strimbu Memorial Fund Barbeque. This past year, the fund awarded fourteen $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.
“It is just as important as what we do as an organization as the dollar amount that has been given over the years,” said outgoing president Paul O’Brien. “None of this would have happened without Nick Strimbu Jr. as our first leader.”
A Wild Game Dinner is being planned for February 21, 2016, along with the 27th Annual Strimbu Memorial BBQ set for May 4, 2016. Funds raised by the two events will enable the SMF to continue to 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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