Northwest Ohio Community Shares held its seventh annual Share-a-Glass event on February 23, 2017 at Toledo Bikes (1114 Washington Street, Toledo) to celebrate and honor individuals and workplace organizations that make the fall workplace giving campaign possible.
We chose Toledo Bikes because they honor our beloved Dr. Bob Brundage – who rode his bike everywhere – with the “ghost bike” that graces the wall of their shop. Toledo Bikes is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping bicycles out of the waste stream and putting them into the hands & feet of those who need them. They honor our beloved
“Founded in 1997, Northwest Ohio Community Shares is celebrating its 20th anniversary year. At the outset, our federation was comprised of nine local charities. Like the agencies we represent, Community Shares began as a grassroots effort that challenged the structure of giving. Just as in 1997, we are structured to be led by our member agencies and believe in giving donors direct control over which charity receive their support,” said Pam Pullella, Interim Executive Director.
According to Board Chair, Steve Wagener, “We find that donors want the choice to give their dollars to organizations that they care about most. We help local agencies do great things in our community.”
During the awards ceremony, the 2017 Brundage Award was presented to Patrick Tansey, a two-time finalist for the Jefferson Awards. The Brundage Award honors an individual who exemplifies the best of the volunteer spirit and works on issues addressed by Community Shares’ member agencies. Mr. Tansey, a valuable member of Community Shares for a number of years, is also the founder of the Collingwood Arts Center and can be found there almost every day. In addition to being a long-time volunteer with the Children’s Theatre Workshop, Mr. Tansey also provides math tutoring weekly through a local program for women, helping them to get their GED.
The 2017 Workplace of the Year Award was presented to the Toledo Lucas County Public Library and honors their support of donors to make independent decisions about philanthropy, the amazing people we have worked with and their generous support of our member agencies.
The 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Greg Mahlman. This award honors the people who volunteer with our member agencies and celebrates their dedication and service. The nominees for this award were Greg Mahlman (Mountain Mentors), Natalie Gray (Arts Commission) Kay Costales-Swift (Toledo Repertoire Theatre), Sally Moore (Scrap4Art), and Danielle Stamper (EqualityToledo).
The 2017 Agency of the Year Award – which recognizes a member agency’s participation, dedication and commitment to our values and goals – was presented to FOCUS. FOCUS has been with Community Shares since the beginning in 1997. Founded in the traditions of faith and service, FOCUS has continually promoted hope and dignity.
During the fall campaign, Community Shares provides additional choices for charitable giving in workplace campaigns. Those funds are distributed among the 26 nonprofit agencies in the federation. The main goal of Community Shares is to provide increased funding and community exposure for its member organizations. Member agencies address pressing needs facing our community in health and human services, education, the arts, the environment, animal welfare, and social justice and equality.
