By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With the help of community grants, 18 nonprofit groups in Bowling Green will be putting books into the hands of children, showing movies on a big screen downtown, turning an alleyway into art, making sure dogs and their humans are hydrated at the new dog park, and so much more.
Monday evening, the Bowling Green Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $61,523 to local non-profit organizations for 2025. The grants are funded each year through the generosity of community contributions.
BGCF President Joe Edens talked about the partnership with nonprofit groups to shape the future of Bowling Green. While community foundations are about funding worthwhile projects, the BGCF takes a “broader and more dynamic role,” he said.
The goal is more than a financial transaction. The foundation, made up of community volunteers, is also here to listen, convene and lead.
“Lasting change demands more than just money,” Edens said.
One of the grant recipients from last year spoke about the project that made a difference in Bowling Green. David Drain, president of BG Save Our Neighborhoods Group, said the grant for “Rock the Block” was the first funding received by BG SONG, and allowed the group to build on that start.
“Everybody was willing to help,” Drain said. “I was astonished by that. I never expected that.”
Edens then presented the grants to each organization. “I got a stack of checks – let’s give them away,” he said.
1BookBG: $5,000
1BookBG is a teacher-led literacy organization whose mission is building connections between Bowling Green K-5 students, the community, and books. Each year 1BookBG collaborates with the Wood County District Public Library to select an author, series, or theme around which they purchase one book for every K-5 child in Bowling Green and then organize four weeks of focused activities and events that celebrate literacy and the community.
The program creates “a love of literacy through a shared experience,” said Stacey Higgins, who heads 1BookBG with fellow Crim Elementary teacher Michelle Thomas.
In addition to putting books in children’s hands, the program also gives students the opportunity to meet authors, and feel supported by the community, which also gets involved.
“Together we are building a community, where every child can dream big – one book at a time,” Thomas said.
BG Dog Parks: $2,255
This grant will purchase one drinking fountain to provide clean, fresh water to both people and their dogs who visit the new BG dog park at Ridge Park. This will reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses during hot weather at the park.
Jo Ascunce talked about the need to keep humans and hounds hydrated, and fostering a sense of community at the dog park.
The organization is working with a contractor to formalize the design for the park, with hopes of breaking ground this spring.
Black Swamp Players: $1,700
The Black Swamp Players want to offer a “Big Screen at the Swamp,” and fund a series for free events to Bowling Green community members. Community members will have an opportunity to catch a movie on the big screen right in downtown Bowling Green. The event series will have a different theme each time, featuring local businesses or nonprofits that wish to partner with Black Swamp Players and raise awareness of their causes in their community.
A representative of the theater group talked about how the organization began in 1965 by performing one-act plays outside. This latest effort to get a big screen is just another way to bring entertainment to the Bowling Green community.
Bowling Green Arts Council: $2,500
This grant will fund materials and labor for an art installation in an alleyway in Downtown Bowling Green called Dog Leg Alley. The key focus of this art installation is to transform this alleyway into an inviting gateway that connects a vibrant downtown to accessible parking in Bowling Green.
Robin Gerrow explained the mural will be created by regional artists to add beauty to the downtown.
“This will further our status as a creative community in Northwest Ohio,” Gerrow said.
Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Foundation: $3,263
This grant will be used to purchase an AED for the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Simpson Building. This facility houses many different community events. This portable device is used to treat people whose hearts suddenly stop working.
Ivan Kovacevic, of the parks and rec department, talked about all the life celebration events that are held at the Simpson Building. This equipment will provide a safer environment by making the life saving treatment accessible if needed.
Bowling Green Save Our Neighborhoods Group: $7,500
The grant will provide funds to purchase tools and materials for home maintenance projects such as painting, weeding, repairs, raking, flower and tree planting to the homes of 35 military veterans. The work will be done by Bowling Green community volunteers as well as BGSU student volunteers.
David Drain said the project will also work to winterize, clean up and beautify the homes of local veterans.
He thanked the community foundation for its “continued trust in us.”
Children’s Resource Center: $2,658
The grant will provide funding for the purchase of equipment necessary to allow a total of 10 clinical staff to implement biofeedback in their therapy and counseling practices. CRC will incorporate biofeedback into the behavioral health services provided to youth within the community with the goal of improving symptoms, functioning and relationships for youth experiencing behavioral health issues.
Caroline Beachy, of CRC, described how the agency has since 1976 been working with youth who have mental health needs. The biofeedback will show stress levels during therapy, and help CRC determine how to lower that stress for youth. Ultimately, the goal is to help children learn to calm themselves on their own.
City of Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission: $800
The Bicycle Safety Commission has identified that third graders are at a key age to learn important messages for safely riding bicycles. The third-grade bicycle safety assembly will communicate safety practices such as always wearing helmets and following the rules of the road. The assembly also entertains the students with BMX bikes and scooters riding over ramps with jumps and turns.
Stephen Langendorfer noted previous BGCF grants which have helped with putting bike racks downtown, and a bicycle fix-it station in Wooster Green. This grant will educate students about bike safety – while entertaining them with BMX stunts.
Falcon Food Pantry: $1,387
This funding, through the Town and Gown Fund, will be used to create an exhibit to increase public awareness of food insecurity. The goals are to educate the public, promote community engagement between BGSU, local historical organizations, and the wider community; and provide an impactful learning experience for students doing research and practical applications.
Ashton Horton said the exhibit will be located in the Jerome Library at BGSU.
“Thank you very much – this is going to lead to a lot of opportunities,” he said.
Friends of the Wood County Parks: $1,484
The grant will be used to purchase a spinning wheel that will be used to teach historic life skills to Carter Historic Farm visitors and field trip participants through demonstrations and education classes.
The wool that will be used on the spinning wheel will come from the sheep raised at Carter Historic Farm, said Candace Weis.
“We’re very excited about this,” Weis said of the grant funding.
Habitat for Humanity of Wood County: $3,750
The funding will purchase needed pallet racking to set up product in a safe and organized fashion in the new ReStore located in Bowling Green. It will provide a safe shopping experience, organize the product for visibility, and maximize space for retail sales.
The goal of the ReStore is raising money to build and repair more local homes in the Bowling Green area, said Robin Swanson. The grand opening of the ReStore is set for Jan. 23, “and you’re all invited,” she said.
Horizon Youth Theatre: $3,750
This funding will go to purchasing a traveling lighting system that can be used at potential community performance spaces that have poor lighting. This lighting system will offer more opportunities for young students to encounter advanced tech design and elevate production value, and therefore inspire more engagement from local students.
A representative of the group said being a nomadic theater necessitates “creative problem solving.” The traveling light system will lead to better performances and better learning opportunities for the youth.
Kenwood Music Department: $6,366
With this funding, from the Ramona Cormier Fund, Kenwood Elementary School will be able to purchase Wenger Music Posture Chairs that will offer ergonomic support that promotes correct posture which is essential for the well-being of students and the development of their instrumental skills. The chairs will be stored on a Wenger Chair Rack to maintain a clean and orderly classroom. Additional instruments will also be purchased.
Music teacher Heather Kramer could not attend, but Edens read the description of how the purchases will expose students to many new instruments, and support their posture as they perform.
NAMI Wood County: $2,500
Veterans and their loved ones have unique challenges and life experiences that can be difficult to navigate. Because of the increased exposure to stress and trauma in their lives, individuals who have served in combat are more likely to experience higher rates of anxiety such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. NAMI will expand their community education to veterans and their families, including beginning the NAMI Homefront programming.
A representative of NAMI said the grant will help the organization address the unmet needs of many local veterans.
Wood County Agricultural Society: $5,525
Funding will be used to purchase three-dimensional wooden cut-outs to establish and implement a farm-to-market educational learning activity that will be in operation for many years for children and their families who attend the Wood County Fair. These activities will teach children the economic contributions of farming to Wood County and businesses in Bowling Green.
Deanna Corken described the simulated farm that will be set up at the fair, allowing children to drive a battery-operated tractor through a farm producing soybeans, corn, eggs, wool and more. Those goods can go to market, or feed livestock on the farm.
The goal is to teach children that food purchased at the store originally comes from farms.
Wood County Education Service Center: $3,750
The objective of the BG Bobcat STARS Community Enrichment Experience will be to provide Bowling Green students access to eight different enrichment experiences throughout the summer of 2025. These experiences will bring in guest speakers from the community. Curriculum will be developed that aligns with the guest including the facilitation of associated reading and math activities, cultural components and more.
A representative explained that the STARS program has experienced a “pause” in its funding which normally allows them to take summer field trips. This grant will allow them to bring in guests from such places at Nature’s Nursery and Imagination Station.
Wood County Hospital: $6,700
Funding will be used for a Community Wellness project that will be able to assist mothers to better care for their infants and children, by providing them resources such as diapers and wipes, transportation assistance, education and support for babies’ safe sleep, safety items for homes, baby items, applying for Medicaid insurance, applying for personal identification for housing applications, employment, daycare, and education.
Teri Laurer said the program will help lower-income families before, during and after delivering babies. The hospital has encountered new moms “couch surfing,” living in garages and a tent, and on the verge of evictions.
When families can’t afford their basic needs, they often forego health care, including prenatal and postpartum care, Laurer said. This program will help with the needs of babies, freeing up funds for other expenses.
Wood County District Public Library: $638
The grant, from the Janice L. Pallister Fund, will be used by the library to purchase visual media.
Michael Penrod said he had the pleasure of meeting Pallister as a library patron, who explored the world through books. Her desire to share her passion for the library is continued each year by this funding.
