We’re honoring 18 people and Fiona the Therapy Dog, whose kindness is changing lives in Central Ohio.
40 THE NEW GAY + HIGH
Three art galleries opening in early 2025, a world-class sculpture garden and the evolution of one of Downtown’s most prominent corners, all thanks to the vision of Jeff Edwards.
48
SAVVY INVESTOR, GENEROUS SOUL
The largest endowed gift in the Columbus Foundation’s history comes from a modest Upper Arlington resident who bequeathed the wealth she built to benefit children.
ON THE COVER:
Photos by Courtney Hergesheimer
Jane Jacquemin-Clark
Yes, it
Emma Frankart Henterly reports. But is
Ohio
Nadine Muzerall has built a team that’s crushing competition.
The story behind a statue of Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer, on
Editors’ picks for having
As diagnoses climb, the medical and counseling community is reaching out.
Factory tours that can make an afternoon fun.
Home & Style
124 Q& A: JESSICA BRUGGER
The interior designer behind Dwell Well Design Co. is all about personalizing the home.
A mid-century Clintonville ranch renovation goes retromodern near the Park of Roses.
132 RESTAURANT REVIEW
The Whitney House in Worthington is serving up comforting classics with a twist.
134 SHORT ORDER
Dublin Village Tavern is turning 25 in a historic neighborhood haunt.
135 CHEF CONVERSATION
Nasir Latif’s family at Lavash Café is serving the best hummus we could find.
136 WHEN GUY FIERI KNOCKS
King Gyros in Whitehall takes us behind the scenes on Diners, DriveIns and Dives
Our monthly directory of where to dine.
OF
Learn about the missions of 35 Central Ohio nonprofits. Section sponsored by The Columbus Foundation.
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Emma Frankart Henterly
The former Columbus Monthly staffer is a regular writer for our “We Tried It” feature. This month, she tried cold plunge, Page 10.
CONTRIBUTORS
Sophia Veneziano
Sophia has joined The Columbus Dispatch to cover kindness in a role made possible by The Columbus Foundation’s Center for HumanKindness. Her first Everyday Kindness Heroes profile is on Page 25.
Peter Tonguette
The longtime arts writer caught up with Columbus Jazz Orchestra trumpet player and artistic director Byron Stripling for our Creative Space feature, Page 144.
Prelude
FROM THE EDITOR
The Art of Great Neighborhoods
Downtown Columbus, like many cities, is a place that’s been shaped by a handful of influential developers over the past 100 years. They built skyscrapers, planted major institutions and created neighborhoods, such as when Nationwide Realty Investors built the Arena District.
Katy Smith katy@columbusmonthly.com
In 2024, we are witnessing the creation of a new neighborhood at Gay and High streets by developer Jeff Edwards and his team. It’s a neighborhood that blends past and present, with lovely, historic mid-rises coexisting alongside newly built apartment buildings. It brings together 100-year-old street design and building details with bombastic modern art like the brightly colored fiber sculpture by Janet Echelman, Current, which seems caught in mid-flutter over the intersection.
Over the past month, I spent many hours talking with people about what’s going on at Gay & High, and art and artists were a big part of those conversations. Longtime gal-
CORRECTIONS
Jonathan Barnes closed his architecture practice, Jonathan Barnes Architecture & Design or JBAD, in August. Barnes joined the Columbus office of global architecture firm Gensler. A story in the October issue inaccurately described the transition.
Steven and Kristie Lagos’ German Village home displays a signed original print of a woman in a red sleeveless dress. A story in the November issue inaccurately described the piece.
DiCarlo’s Pizza, the Ohio Valley pizza chain, first opened in Columbus in the 1990s. A story in the November issue had the wrong decade.
lery owners shared their hopes as they move into spaces built by Edwards along the east side of North High. Edwards spoke of his hope that Columbus can become known as an art city, and said he would like to help make that happen by sharing worldclass pieces with the public.
After more than 20 years on the board at the Columbus Museum of Art, it seems natural that Edwards became a collector. (Another influential real estate developer and CMA board member, Pizzuti Cos. founder Ron Pizzuti, got him into art, and particularly sculpture.)
Though he does not make art in a formal sense, creating great urban neighborhoods is certainly an art. And in Edwards, Columbus has a great artist. You can read about what he’s creating starting on Page 40.
Editor, Columbus Monthly
COMMENTS
Columbus pizza historian and author Jim Ellison gave us props for our pizza contest methodology on Instagram, saying: “The November issue of @columbusmonthly bravely takes on a troll attracting question, Best Pizza in Columbus. They made wise choices including doing a Columbus style tasting. The consensus there was @ tommys_pizza_and_subs and @minellispizza—did they get it right?”
Among the readers who reached out to let us know we missed a great pizza shop, including Rotolo’s and Ange’s, David DeRoberts of Dublin
Send letters to: Editor, Columbus Monthly, 605 S. Front St. , Ste. 300, Columbus, OH 43215. Or email: letters@columbus monthly.com. A letter must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Letters will be edited for length and clarity. All letters sent to Columbus Monthly are considered for publication, either in print or online.
emailed to tell us we should try Gatto’s in Clintonville, which his son bought from the previous owners in 2019. “Gatto’s Pizza, which was located on North High Street in Clintonville from 1952 until its move to the old Wildflower Café at 3420 Indianola Ave. in 2022, is still using the “Old Ovens.” Stop in and eat it there and see the original lease from 1952 on the
wall with memorabilia from over the last 72 years. Try the sausage. It’s homemade, the same way in was in ‘52.”
How Ohio State experts are taking on the challenges of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer presents many treatment challenges, but innovative research, surgeries and prevention practices could soon improve patient outcomes and reduce diagnoses.
More than 66,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024, with less than 13% reaching five years of survival, according to the American Cancer Society.
“This disease is too often a silent killer, with no symptoms until it has progressed to less treatable stages. We must continue to aggressively pursue research that will help us prevent, diagnose and treat this disease more effectively,” says Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, PhD, co-leader of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
OSUCCC – James specialists are meeting these challenges through care, research and education to pave the way for breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer treatment and prevention.
How a pancreatic cancer patient is beating the odds
In 2019, Rick Walker found out his nausea, stomach pain and sudden weight loss stemmed from a tumor in his pancreas on a major artery. Chemotherapy and radiation helped lower his cancer markers, but tests showed that they remained fairly high.
“Rick’s cancer was advanced and very difficult to defeat,” says Arjun Mittra, MD, an OSUCCC – James medical oncologist. “The cancer had invaded several blood vessels and nerves near his pancreas. Usually, that’s not curable.”
After choosing the OSUCCC – James for treatment, one of Walker’s doctors told him about a pancreatic cancer clinical trial involving an innovative surgery. The operation would be risky because of the artery where the tumor was located.
There was only a small chance the tumor could be removed safely, but without the surgery, Walker would’ve probably had another four to 10 months to live.
“I wasn’t going to give up,” Walker says. “I had complete faith in my doctors — they’re all my heroes.”
After Walker decided to undergo the procedure, his only grandchild at the time, Willow, became a goal post for him. He was determined to survive at least long enough to see her start kindergarten.
As a 4-year-old, she’d come over to his house and ask if he took his chemotherapy pills. He never liked swallowing pills, but when she reminded him, he did so immediately.
During Walker’s surgery, doctors reached the tumor and treated it with radiation. The OSUCCC – James is one of only a handful of centers with the expertise necessary to successfully perform the procedure.
While the tumor remains in Walker’s pancreas, it’s not growing, nor have other tumors developed.
“Those results are particularly striking,” Mittra says. “Most patients who have locally advanced pancreatic cancer, as Rick did, invariably see the cancer progress, and it’s often difficult to treat and has a poor prognosis.”
Walker and his family and friends find it hard to believe that he’s survived pancreatic cancer, an extremely aggressive disease. Only around 13% of patients are alive five or more years after diagnosis.
Willow is in elementary school now, which amazes Walker, who’s lived beyond his goal post of her first day of kindergarten.
“My chance of survival was small,” he says. “Thanks to a clinical trial and the amazing team at The James, I beat the odds.”
Scan the QR code to learn more about pancreatic cancer care and research at the OSUCCC – James.
Understanding pancreatic cancer
risk
There are several reasons why pancreatic cancer can be hard to treat, including difficult-toidentify symptoms and a lack of knowledge about preventative measures.
Recent OSUCCC – James research shows that 53% of respondents believe they’d be unable to spot signs of pancreatic cancer, while 37% think there’s nothing they can do to prevent the condition.
While it’s true that only 10% of pancreatic cancer cases are believed to be linked to hereditary causes, there are some steps everyone can take that could reduce their risk. One of the most prominent possible prevention methods is to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity increases a person’s lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer by 20%.
“You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle. Obesity is usually in someone’s power to change,” Cruz-Monserrate says. “It also increases risk for other cancers, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
To improve early detection chances, OSUCCC – James researchers are conducting trials aimed at identifying possible screening measures and minimally-invasive ways to test pancreatic cysts.
Experts are also working to increase knowledge about pancreatic cancer, including rising rates among younger patients. OSUCCC – James research shows that 33% of respondents under age 50 believe only older adults are at risk.
“Pancreatic cancer rates have been rising by about 1% annually, and we’re seeing it in people who are in their 40s much more regularly,” Cruz-Monserrate says. “This is a concerning trend, and one we can all do something about to influence our personal risk.”
Scan the QR code to learn about cancer clinical trials at the OSUCCC – James.
front & center
PHOTO BY TIM JOHNSON
Pulling Themselves Up by Their Skate Laces
Ohio State women’s ice hockey coach Nadine Muzerall has turned an average team into a national prize-winning force. We caught up with her at practice, Page 12.
Cold Plunge
Testing the waters on an icy trend.
By Emma Frankart Henterly
When I was in my early 20s, I surprised my then-boyfriend with a skydiving excursion. It was terrifying and exhilarating. Now, 15 years later and married, Matt and I are preparing for another type of plunge at Ebb & Float’s Downtown location. The soundproofed room we’re standing in is lit by blue mood lighting and a soft, warm glow emanating from a cold plunge tub.
I’ve always said skydiving was fun— and nothing I want to repeat. But staring into the frigid water before me—measured at 44 degrees Fahrenheit by Rick, the friendly staffer who gave us the official orientation—I’m wishing myself back on that tiny plane, looking down at 10,000 feet of empty air instead. That is my aversion to this entire concept.
“A lot of people, when I introduce cold plunge to them, they have an immediate response of, ‘Oh no, I don’t do cold,’ ” says Ebb & Float owner Kym Lisk, perfectly
encapsulating my feelings about this assignment. “My response to that is, it’s not that you don’t do cold; it’s that you don’t like being uncomfortable. … Step outside your comfort level, try something that’s challenging. I think you’ll be really surprised by the results.”
Among wellness trends, cold plunging is, well, very hot, with many purported benefits: improved cardiovascular health, metabolism and immune response; decreased inflammation and insulin sensitivity; and even long-term reduction of anxiety and depression.
The scientific jury is still out, however, as cold plunge studies are often hindered by small and homogenous sample groups without adequate controls. Further complicating the picture is a wide range of recommendations, from near-freezing temps to those as warm (comparatively speaking) as 68 degrees Fahrenheit and durations from 20 seconds to 20 minutes or more.
Step outside your comfort level, try something that’s challenging. I think you’ll be really surprised by the results.
Ebb & Float keeps plunges around 45 to 50 degrees for one to three minutes. “There’s no one size fits all,” Lisk says. “There’s a discernment that I want to encourage every single guest to use for what’s right for them.”
Objectively, 45 degrees doesn’t sound so bad. But water’s higher density conducts heat away from the body faster than air, so its effects are stronger and faster. At 40 to 50 degrees, hypothermia
PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
Writer Emma Frankart Henterly tries a three-minute cold plunge at Ebb and Float.
tables predict loss of consciousness in under an hour. The Cleveland Clinic cautions that there are other risks, too, especially for those with cardiovascular, pulmonary and related conditions.
All this is running through my mind as I stand in front of the water, laughing nervously and bracing myself. I step in and immediately shout a panicked “Oh no!” I regret everything.
But I’m a professional, so I sit and immediately hyperventilate—an involuntary “cold shock response.” Three minutes seems impossible; I mentally set a new goal of 30 seconds, vehemently chanting, “I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.” I’m gasping for air in a Lamaze-esque breathing pattern I often find when I’m in pain.
And yes, it hurts. A lot, actually.
In under a minute, my fingers are numb and my face tingles—factors of hyperventilation, not cold, as I can’t bring myself to submerge my upper body. My heart rate, my smart watch later tells me, has jumped from 70 beats per minute at rest (I was nervous, OK?) to over 140—though by the time I finish, it’s gone down to 65 bpm.
Around 90 seconds in, I’m keenly aware of the photographer in the room and find myself reflexively smiling, despite blurting a minute later that “every movement hurts.” And then, to my astonishment, it’s over; the fastest three minutes of my life.
Matt goes next. He regularly finishes showers with a cold blast, and his experience shows. While he insists it was still “pretty rough,” I am impressed by his serene expression, controlled breathing and total lack of profanity.
I didn’t experience a huge energy boost that many feel post-plunge. Instead I felt sleepy, though not foggy, which Lisk attributes to a drop in blood pressure as blood vessels dilate to warm my body. The fatigue didn’t last, however, and the rest of the day my energy levels were relatively high.
Also surprising was how quickly my brain blocked the memory of pain as endorphins flooded my system. After Matt’s plunge, I found myself staring at the tub. Unlike with skydiving, I felt called to plunge again almost immediately—an urge I wouldn’t have believed possible while in the water, swearing and holding back tears.
“I don’t enjoy it, either,” Lisk says. “There’s lots of times where I’m like, no, this is miserable.” But discomfort, she adds, is “where we grow; that’s where we expand, and that’s where we learn.”
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Remembering Walt Neil: Moon Goddess, Adam Brouillette, Francesca Miller, Tau Murphy, Shelbi “SheL10” Toone, Walt Neil
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Dynasty on Ice
Ohio State women’s hockey coach Nadine Muzerall has built the team into a smashing success with her charge to be the best—and her compassion.
By Chris DeVille
Practice was slow today. As Nadine Muzerall exits the ice at the Schottenstein Center and settles into a booth in a nearby lounge, she’s distressed about her team’s lack of concentration during this afternoon’s training session. It’s late October, and the Ohio State University women’s ice hockey team is preparing to host the four-team Ice Breaker tournament at the Schott.
“You chose to come here knowing full well our coaching style and our culture, and you wanted it—because you all told me you want to develop, and you want to perform with the best every day,” Muzerall says, paraphrasing her consistent message to her players. “With that comes sacrifices and choices you have to make. And you have to remind them of that sometimes. Because they could have
gone anywhere else, and it could have been easier for them.”
Muzerall needn’t worry too much about today’s sluggish practice. Tomorrow, the Buckeyes will annihilate Stonehill 11-0. The next day, they’ll defeat Cornell 7-3 in the tournament final. The standard of excellence she has instilled within the program will be upheld, as usual.
Muzerall, 46, has turned Ohio State women’s ice hockey into a dynasty. When she was hired in 2016, the program was in turmoil. They’d fired two new coaches in two years, both under scandalous circumstances. Mediocrity prevailed. Back then Muzzy, as she’s known amongst her players, was an assistant coach at Minnesota, a perennial powerhouse where she’d been an All-American and national champion as a player. The Golden Go-
phers had been to five straight national title games, winning four. Yet when she balked at leaving her cushy situation in Minneapolis, her husband, Ryan, convinced her Ohio State was too good a gig to pass up.
Muzerall made the most of that opportunity, transforming the team culture and sparking instant improvement. By her second season, she had the Buckeyes in the national semifinals, a.k.a. the Frozen Four. The ragtag squad she’d inherited started attracting prized recruits, and the postseason wins kept piling up. In 2022, Ohio State won its first national championship in program history. In 2023, the team made it back to the final but were runners up. In 2024, they won their second title in three seasons.
“When we won that first one, we won it
Ohio State women’s hockey coach Nadine Muzerall leads a practice at the Schottenstein Center.
with a lot of kids that weren’t recruited by the top teams,” Muzerall says. “They were good, but not the elite echelon. And they felt like they had to perform and produce in the way that, ‘I’ll show you. You didn’t choose me, I’ll show you.’ A chip on the shoulder, right? The underdog. The blue collar.
“And then when you have had the success, being in the championship game three years in a row and winning two, now everybody’s elite here,” she continues. “So I don’t think that they have the mindset that the first national championship mindset was. It’s now expected. And that comes with many obstacles in its own right.”
Given her track record, it’s no wonder Ohio State extended Muzerall’s contract through the 2028-2029 season in May. “She has set a new standard for women’s hockey at Ohio State and in a short time shaped this program into a perennial national title contender,” Janine Oman, Ohio State Senior Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator, said in a statement at the time of the extension. “Not only has she developed great hockey players, but also excellent students and leaders off the ice.”
Spend any time with Muzzy and you’ll understand why players rally around her and why she gets the best out of people. Get her talking and she quickly becomes animated, speaking with her eyes and her hands as much as her mouth. Her toughness and intensity are balanced out by compassion and a contagious sense of fun. Those qualities manifest in biweekly meetings with each player to talk about hockey and life, as well as team bonding activities like a recent ziplining outing or an upcoming visit to Game Show Battle Rooms in Hilliard.
“They need to see me as a human being and not just as a coach all the time with all these high expectations,” Muzerall says. “That’s what’s great about having chartered flights that I bring my kids on, or my 84-year-old mom comes on the trips, and then they see me as a daughter, and they see me as a mom.”
Muzerall lives near Marysville with her husband, their 10-year-old daughter, their 8-year-old son, and her mom, a Scottish-born Canadian immigrant who raised Muzzy and her older brother as a single parent without a driver’s
license. They’re planted in Central Ohio for the foreseeable future, but would Muzerall consider bolting if another opportunity arose? Only if the university waits too long to build a new rink, she says.
Although the team is at the Schott for this tournament, normally they practice and play their games at the Ohio State Ice Rink. It’s small, old, and not commensurate with the program’s newfound stature. Muzzy’s been campaigning for a facilities upgrade for years. “There’s been so much talk about it,” she says, “but now we have a new president… and then a whole new athletic director in the same year.”
She’s optimistic that new athletic
director Ross Bjork and President Ted Carter—a big hockey guy—will get something done sooner rather than later. In the meantime, she’s excited for her team to compete in a far less conventional hockey venue, Chicago’s baseball temple, Wrigley Field. In January the Buckeyes, currently ranked No. 2, will face current No. 1 Wisconsin at Wrigley as part of the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series. Three men’s collegiate games will be played there, but only one women’s game, which Muzerall is proud to be included in.
“I just remember where this team was,” she says. “And now we’re being asked to play at Wrigley Field.” ◆
Above and below, Nadine Muzerall on the ice.
AT THE BLUE JACKETS SEASON NEVER ENDS
King of Beer
August Wagner’s beer brand survived Prohibition and beyond. His statue of Gambrinus, patron saint of beer, still graces Front Street.
By Jeff Darbee
August Wagner, born in Bavaria in 1871, immigrated to Cincinnati in 1887 and to Columbus in 1898. He was a latecomer to the local brewing industry, which began in the 1830s. Taking a job at Louis Hoster’s brewery, many buildings of which survive today in the Brewery District, Wagner moved on in 1906 determined to have his own suds factory. His stately brick brewery rose on the northwest corner of West Sycamore and South Front streets and soon added to the flow of the capital city’s favorite beverage. Wagner was a good promoter, not only of his products but also of himself. His product line included his eponymous “Augustiner Prize Beer,” and he named his company The Gambrinus Brewing Co., appropriating the name of King Gambrinus, the “Patron Saint of Beer” according to Bavarian legends dating to the late Middle Ages. Wagner occasionally appeared on horseback wearing a crown, apparently posing as Gambrinus, who graced a niche in the brewery’s wall in the form of a huge statue sporting an
ermine robe and a crown while gripping a frothy chalice of beer. His right foot rested on a supine beer keg, perhaps telegraphing Wagner’s desire to dominate the local brewing industry.
Indeed he did, even finding a way to survive Prohibition, which eluded the other local brewers. His advertising featured an image of his brewery, “Home of Wagner’s Famous Products Where FAMOUS AUGUSTINER is Made Under Our Exclusive Process Which Conserves the Natural Qualities and Taste of the Famous Old Time Augustiner”—even though real beer with alcohol was verboten. Offering seductively named quaffs such as Wagner’s Malt Tonic and Champaign Mist—entirely alcohol-free—the old gent hung on until Repeal. And beyond: Wagner died in 1944, but his brewery stayed in operation for 30 more years until succumbing to redevelopment. But all is not lost. The statue of King Gambrinus was saved, and today it graces a brick wall along South Front Street. ◆
The Gambrinus statue along Front Street
PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
The New Gay + High
The historic Downtown intersection has come alive with restaurants, galleries and events, like the High Spirits Art & Music Fest on Oct. 12. Details on the transformation, Page 40.
Front & Center | People
Restoring Lives Luncheon
Maryhaven held the 2024 Restoring Lives Luncheon on Sept. 17 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Three hundred people attended the event, which was hosted by Kiyerra Lake from 10TV and featured Rick Ricart as the keynote speaker. The event raised $200,000 that will be used to support individuals seeking treatment for addiction and mental health challenges.
1 Bart Henning and Adam Jurich
2 Kiyerra Lake 3 Cheryl Brooks Sullivan and Paul Coleman
4 Cait Seckel and Jessica Dynia
5 Oyauma Garrison and Rick Ricart
Art Celebration
The Columbus Museum of Art held Art Celebration 2024 on Sept. 20. This year’s event celebrated the legacy of photography at CMA. Over 300 guests gathered at the museum for the signature fundraising event, which also honored the leadership of CMA’s past presidents who have shaped the institution across generations.
1 Nicole Rome and Danny Marcus 2 Natasha and Giavonni Lucas 3 Amber Wacker, Francie Taylor, Shanell Nutt, James Allen, Holly Guggenbiller, Lydia Simon, Maureen Carroll, Jennifer Lehe and Abbey Diaz 4 James and Michelle Croft
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Oakland Nurseries will be ringing in the holidays with weekend events at area stores, including free visits and photos with Santa in his magical wonderland. Some locations will offer horse drawn carriage rides and a chance to meet a reindeer. Check your local garden center’s listing for the schedule.
oaklandnursery.com
DEC. 3-8 | DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas gets the stage treatment this season. Watch Max the Dog, Cindy Lou Who and the singing Whos of Whoville help the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes in this family holiday classic at the Palace Theatre. capa.com
On the first three Fridays in Dec., the Wanderlights at the Columbus Commons will be enhanced with free hot chocolate, live music, a photo booth and more. A holiday trolley will take riders to lights displays across Downtown. All events are free, through trolley riders are encouraged to donate in support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. downtowncolumbus.com
DEC. 17 | PRE-HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Visit Franklin Park Conservatory for a special evening at Conservatory Aglow to celebrate Hanukkah. The event is open to all and is presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Center. Visitors can participate in crafts and other activities to prepare for the Festival of Lights as they take in the conservatory’s seasonal display. fpconservatory.org
DEC. 28-29 | KWANZAA 614
The Ohio History Connection and TAWI Family Village invite the community to a free Kwanzaa celebration honoring the heritage of the holiday. The event will include African drumming, dance and activities. Be sure to visit the Kwanzaa ornament display featuring work by students at area schools. ohiohistory.org
DEC. 7
Jingle Bell Run
Put on your favorite holiday sweater and lace up your running shoes for the 40th annual Jingle Bell Run at Genoa Park. Participants will raise money for the Arthritis Foundation through a 5K or mile run. A Children’s Snowflake Dash and Mutt Strutt are also planned, so the whole family can be there with bells on. events.arthritis.org
DEC. 8
Blanket Making for Ronald McDonald House Families
Seeds of Caring invites kids ages 4-12 and their adult caregivers to attend this hands-on event at the Ronald McDonald House. Participants will learn to make no-sew blankets, design cards and create worry dolls to that will be given to hospitalized children and their families, who may be spending the holidays away from home. seedsofcaring.org/columbus
DEC. 11
The Star House Holiday Show
The Funny Bone is teaming up with Columbus comedian Wonder Doug and other local talent in its third annual holiday charity show supporting Star House. The organization helps unhoused young people meet immediate needs and transition into stable housing. columbus.funnybone.com
How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Columbus Monthly, The Columbus Dispatch and Columbus CEO celebrate 19 community champions who quietly make Central Ohio better for everyone.
BY COURTNEY HERGESHEIMER
PHOTO
JANE JACQUEMIN-CLARK
After beating cancer twice, she founded Hope Hollow to help families facing the disease.
By Sophia Veneziano
It is the story of mother facing unknowns while trying to provide a Christmas for her family. It is the story of a teen misdiagnosed with blood clots only to find out he would lose his right leg and part of his pelvis.
It is a story of loss, gratitude and unforeseen miracles. It is the story of Hope Hollow and its founder, Jane Jacquemin-Clark.
Before she was a high school teacher and counselor married to her husband, Kevin Clark, Jacquemin-Clark was just 10 years old when she lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. Her mother’s eldest sister, Lucille, became like a second mother to her, until Lucille, too, passed away from the disease.
After watching a second aunt, Ellen, battle and survive colon cancer and her father beat prostate cancer, Jane could not help but feel that cancer was an inescapable part of her story and her purpose.
She herself would be diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in 2007. Four years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Unlike some of those she loved, she survived both.
“To have survived when people I loved most in this world died of cancer, I just felt I had to find a way to live the gratitude, and I said to my husband, ‘I pray it. I speak it. I’ve got to find a way to live it.’ And he said, ‘Well, how do we do it?’” Jacquemin-Clark says.
From there, Hope Hollow was born.
After learning that Columbus was an international hub for cancer treatment with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth’s Bing Cancer Center and The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University, the couple bought and began fixing up a home 2008 to provide lodging to people traveling into Columbus for their treatments.
The nonprofit since has provided over 11,000 nights of lodging and has been able to expand to providing thousands of
Jane Jacquemin-Clark says she’s found a way to live the gratitude she has for making it through her cancer ordeals.
dollars in meals, transportation and emotional support to patients and their families.
Beyond meeting the physical needs of the cancer patients, Kevin said one of the most important things about Hope Hollow has been the relationships it’s built.
“I really attribute that almost 100 percent to Jane. She’s one of those personalities that if you know her, you love her,” he says.
In 2020, at just 15 years of age, Alex Nicholson was misdiagnosed with blood clots. In March 2023, he was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma and transferred to Nationwide Children’s for a clinical trial program.
Coming from nearly two hours away in North Canton, his mother, Jacinda Nicholson, has had to take time off work to help her son make his appointments.
“I said, ‘I don’t care, I’ll sleep in my truck.’ That’s your kid, you know?” she says.
“I walked outside to take a breath, and Jane Clark called me, and she said, ‘How can I help you?’ By then I was bawling my eyes out, and I said, ‘I just need a place to stay.’ ”
“We can do that,” Jacquemin-Clark replied.
Jane noted that when people comment on the difference she is making, she responds with the impact the patients are making on her and Kevin’s own lives.
“To be invited to share a person’s life journey at one of the most difficult times they’ve faced in their life, if not the most difficult—maybe facing death— it is a privilege that doesn’t have words to describe. The closest I can get to it is, ‘We walk on sacred ground,’” she says tearfully.
“And if they survive their cancer, we celebrate with them.”
These celebrations have turned into long-lasting relationships.
Nine years ago, Dayton-area native Jenny Turner was facing breast cancer treatment at The James. A few days after she started staying at Hope Hollow, she learned her cancer might have spread to her pancreas, delaying treatment. Even though they had just met, she said the first person she turned to for emotional support was Jane.
“I had known Jane for a day and a half, maybe two days, and all I could think about was going downstairs to find her,” Turner says. “It was probably the most meaningful thing I’ve probably
About Jane Jacquemin-Clark
What is a challenge you have overcome?
My mother died of cancer when I was 10 years old, and I experienced the death of my father and my two aunts who were both mothers to me. Another major challenge was being diagnosed with cancer twice. I do believe that the challenges in life often call us to growth and lead to positive outcomes. My cancer led to my husband and I founding Hope Hollow.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the goodness and kindness of others in our world, including the other finalists being given this award. I also continue to be inspired by the persons with cancer that Hope Hollow supports. Their courage, resilience and hope while on their journey with cancer inspires me every day!
What keeps you engaged?
My faith truly encourages me and gives me hope, and I believe that every person is called and is capable of making a difference for good in our world!
ever experienced with essentially a complete stranger.”
Turner and Jacquemin-Clark now share what both refer to as a “mother-daughter-like” relationship, and Turner continues to be involved on Hope Hollow’s board of directors.
When being selected as a finalist for the Everyday Kindness Heroes program, Jane continually noted that there are so many people deserving of the award, not just her and Hope Hollow.
Still, those impacted by her self-proclaimed “excessive empathy” made it clear that she deserves to be on the list.
“There still are great people out there among us. People with hearts. People that give. People that love strangers. She’s not only a friend, she’s part of our family,” Nicholson says.
“She was my light in my darkest point.”
PHOTOS: COURTESY JANE CLARK, TOP, AND TIM JOHNSON
Clark and a fellow cancer survivor, Jenny Turner. Below, Clark’s welcoming, sunny kitchen.
TRACY DAVIDSON
Empowering immigrant families through education.
By Maria DeVito
While meeting with immigrant parents in the fall of 2021, Tracy Davidson heard a request she couldn’t ignore.
Davidson was visiting with parents at the Abbey Lane Apartments at Cleveland Avenue and Morse Road as she ran for a third term on the Westerville City Schools Board of Education. The complex’s residents are mostly Somali, Napoli and Bhutanese immigrants who arrived in the U.S. just within the last five years. From the back of the room, a mother asked if someone could help the children in the complex with their homework.
The mother also had a special request: After tutors work with kids, could they stick around and teach the parents to read, too? That way they could eventually help their children themselves.
As a parent, Davidson couldn’t stop thinking about that request over the next few months. How could Westerville get tutoring services to meet both students and parents where they are? That’s how The Big Bus started rolling.
Davidson, along with six other community members, created the nonprofit The Big Bus. renovating a former school bus into a mobile classroom as a way to fill the education gap that exists for so many immigrant families. Within a year of that mother’s request, The Big Bus was at Abbey Lane tutoring K-5 students and their parents.
“We really just want to give kids an opportunity to grow and learn and experience everything, and I want them to have a safe place to go,” Davidson says.
So far, The Big Bus visits two apartment complexes within the Westerville school district, and it will add a third in January. During sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, volunteers cover the basics, teaching the adults common English words they’ll see when they go places like the grocery store. Volunteers even teach them how to write text messages. While the parents are being tutored, The Big Bus offers programming for preschoolers as well, Davidson says.
Among the six to eight parents who show up regularly at Abbey Lane for
Tracy Davidson created The Big Bus, which goes into neighborhoods to help children with homework.
tutoring is the mother who made the original request, Davidson says.
The bus then returns in the afternoon to work with about 40 K-5 students after school. And they give the bus quite a welcome, Davidson says.
“Every time the bus pulls in, the kids chase us. It’s a beautiful thing,” Davidson said. “They come running. They can’t wait for it.”
Depending on student needs, kids will work one-on-one or in small groups with the eight or so volunteers that come to each session, Davidson says. The Big Bus also allows the children to develop social skills while learning through play— whether it be carving a pumpkin for the first time, playing Uno or putting together a puzzle.
Davidson doesn’t spend as much time working directly with the kids as she would like—she’s the one behind the scenes keeping the bus rolling by applying for grants, managing the nonprofit’s financials and other administrative tasks.
In just two short years, The Big Bus has grown, adding a full-time executive director, site coordinator and other employees to meet its mission.
Through a partnership with the United Way of Central Ohio and Central Ohio Transit Authority, The Big Bus acquired a former COTA bus that has been renovated to give it the vibe of a coffee shop. Starting in November, the bus will rotate
between Westerville’s middle and high schools for afterschool tutoring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
While The Big Bus is an independent nonprofit, Davidson said Westerville schools has been a critical partner, with many district teachers and specialists volunteering their evenings to work with students.
“It is just as much fun for our volunteers and for us as it is for the kids,” she says.
Davidson is quick to point out how many people make The Big Bus a success, but The Big Bus Board Member Dennis Blair said it’s Davidson’s unique skill set that makes the nonprofit’s wheels turn. She brings high energy and a willingness to listen to other people’s ideas. She also speaks up if she doesn’t agree, he says.
“It isn’t leading by authority, it’s leading by cooperation, leading by listening and coming up with the best solution and moving it forward,” he says.
Davidson wants The Big Bus’s fleet to keep growing because she knows the demand is there. She’s envisioning a makerspace bus where children can tinker and create.
But Davidson’s big dream is for The Big Bus to reach beyond Westerville.
“I really want to make an impact here in Ohio,” she says. “One of the things I would like to do is get the word out of
About Tracy Davidson
What is a challenge you have overcome?
I think one of our biggest challenges, Big Bus wise, is just staying afloat financially. We’re always working on a shoestring (budget), but I’m constantly pushing forward, and I’m like, ‘We’re going to spend every dime until we can’t move.’
What inspires you?
The people and them trusting us with their children. The simple joy, and the look in the kids’ eyes when they understand something, or they see us just show up.
What keeps you engaged?
We have a beautiful group helping, but what keeps me engaged is there’s so many people sitting back and waiting for other people to do something, and that’s not who I am. If I see a need, what keeps me engaged is I have been taught to always keep moving forward, and it’s OK to make a mistake, but you just keep trying.
what we’re doing and give them our blueprint so other communities can do this.”
Tracy Davidson and The Big Bus
By Dean Narciso
RIC GRUBAUGH
The gentle volunteer supporting homeless youth
The 23-year-old who goes by “Shay” can’t live with her family and spends hours at the library. When it closes, she sleeps outdoors—near buildings, bridges or in wooded areas.
She also visits Star House in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood, where she receives a warm meal, clothing and greetings from 74-year-old Ric Grubaugh, a volunteer. On this day, Grubaugh learns that Shay could use an extra pair of sweat pants. So he gently lifts himself from a chair, steadies himself and slowly leaves the community room where dozens of homeless men and women, ages 14-24, converge.
“Once I get moving, I’m good,” he says on the way to a large connected warehouse, where he picks out two pairs of sweats and a pair of jeans, just in case. “They like options. They don’t like to be told, ‘This is what you get,’” Grubaugh says.
He returns, telling Shay, “I hope you’re not mad at me.”
“That’s OK, grandpa,” she replies. “I can’t be mad at you.”
“Well, you might when you see these,” he jokes.
Grubaugh downplays his effectiveness in dealing with homeless young people as a volunteer at Star House two or three times a week, cleaning, offering food, clothing or toiletries. But mostly, he smiles and listens, actions that don’t always happen outside the walls of Star House, which makes its home in a former printing company.
The center is not a shelter. It prohibits reclined sleeping, although many doze off, slumped in comfortable chairs. And it strictly limits visitation to 16 hours at a time.
“It’s such a safe place—for 16 hours. But then they have to go out there for eight hours ... and where do you go?” Grubaugh asks, glancing at the entrance/ exit where a security guard stands.
A retired Columbus Public Schools teacher of 22 years, Grubaugh wonders why he was chosen as an Everyday Kindness Hero. “I get more out of it than I think they do,” he says of those in the
Ric Grubaugh, Star House volunteer
think they do,” he says of those in the center.
During his 22 years of teaching at Beechcroft High School, he recalls, “Kids didn’t confide in the teachers that much.”
“I used to do home visits. And man, when you saw where some of the kids came from every morning, you wanted to hug them the next day when they got off the bus. You wanted to say ‘How did you do this? How did you get up in the morning? I know the house you got up in. And still you got here at 7:15.’”
He recalled one student’s story: “The boyfriend said to his mom ‘You pick me, or your son.’ And the mom made the kids leave.”
“How in Columbus, Ohio, can this happen?” he wonders. “They wake up under a bridge.” At least three young mothers at the center this day are pushing their babies in strollers.
The center’s modern veneer, with restaurant-style kitchen appliances and comfortable furniture, would lack a human quality without volunteers like Grubaugh, said Wendell Eblin, warehouse coordinator, who frequently interacts the youth.
“We love Ric. He’s amazing,” said Eblin.
About Ric Grubaugh
What is a challenge you have overcome?
Stopped drinking, July 28, 1986
What inspires you?
The phrase that RFK (Robert Kennedy) would use at the end of a speech: “Some men would see things that are and say ‘Why?’ I dream things that could have been and ask ‘Why not?’”
What keeps you engaged?
People who are real. People who care. People who give back. People who overcome.
“Everything here is about connections, and he is a natural at that, the ability to bring people in.”
“Any reason why the youth are here is never good,” Eblin says. But the goal is providing a humane option “when they have exhausted all of their couch surfacing possibilities.”
The essence of what Grubaugh provides can’t be bought, carried or consumed.
“I’m not threatening,” he shares. “There is no threat that the kids have with me. They know I’m going to be in my chair. If they need something, they can come to me.”
“I get a lot of fist bumps. There definitely is a distinction between a volunteer and a staffer,” he says, noting that staff, counselors, security guards and others have specific roles: to find housing and jobs, to overcome addictions or crime and to prevent fights on the grounds.
“Most grownups who have come in contact with these kids have lied to them, disappointed them, let them down. From parents to uncles to school counselors to teachers who tell them, ‘Hey I’ve got your back, don’t worry.’ But when it really counts, they’re not there.”
“I think that shows the young person—that this ol’ guy came down here, it means something.”
He doesn’t have to convince Shay, who has changed into her new sweats.
“He should be here more often,” she says. “Because he’s awesome. Awesome sauce.”
Ric Grubaugh, Star House volunteer, chats with warehouse manager Wendell Eblin.
PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
NICOLE HEBERT-FORD
By Julanne Hohbach
Meeting students’ needs with dignity.
Tucked into the back of a classroom at World Language Middle School in Clintonville are two unassuming closets— one with shelves full of neatly organized personal care products, school supplies and food, and the other stocked with clothing, shoes, underwear and socks.
To Nicole Hebert-Ford, the closets represent the realization of a dream to break down barriers for children in need. They are a resource students can turn to when they need a bigger pair of pants, don’t have anything to eat after school or can’t afford shampoo or deodorant.
The nonprofit Student Success Stores, founded by Hebert-Ford and three other individuals, launched during the 201617 school year at three Columbus City Schools sites and now operates in 14 buildings in the Columbus and Whitehall City school districts.
The need is real. In the 2023-24 school year, the organization provided 43,368 basic need items to 2,035 unique students in grades 6-12. A Student Success Store will open at Whitehall-Yearling High School in early 2025, and seven schools are on the waitlist to get a store of their own.
The program operates at no cost to students or schools. Schools simply supply a space—often, a closet—to house the store. To visit, a student just needs to sign up or tell a counselor or teacher they want to shop. No questions are asked, and an emphasis is placed on privacy and dignity. College interns (dubbed “fellows”) assist students during set store hours to avoid overburdening school staffers.
Hebert-Ford, who taught seventhgrade science for two years in Phoenix and five in Reynoldsburg, was inspired to take action because she saw too many kids coming to school with unmet needs. Some wore the same clothes every day. Some needed hygiene items. Others were hungry. She did what she could to help. “This is what we do as educators, right? We take care of our kids.”
She read about a North Carolina school that saw improved attendance after launching a pantry of basic
Nicole Hebert-Ford founded Student Success Stores
necessities, and a light bulb went on. She and a friend, Jason Phillips, presented the idea for Student Success Stores at United Way of Central Ohio’s 2015 Pitch to Ditch Poverty event and received $7,500 to implement it. They assembled a team that included fellow co-founders Sarai Exil and Wes Taylor plus a board of directors and formed a nonprofit.
Tracey Colson, director of school improvement and family services with Whitehall City Schools, says Student Success Stores removes barriers to student attendance. “If a student doesn’t feel good about how they look and feel with their clothes or their hygiene, or they’re coming to school hungry, you’re not going to be focused,” says Colson, who began working with the nonprofit while principal of Mifflin Middle School in Columbus.
“Nicole, I always say she was a godsend because she gets it. I think we focus a lot on the academic side of school, but we miss the barriers,” Colson says. “Her demeanor, her spirit—she has this warm heart to serving. She understands the work and she takes out any judgment or any excuses.”
Most of that work is carried out by volunteers and dedicated board members. This small operation with a big heart received just over $116,000 in contributions and grants for its 2023 fiscal
year, according to tax filings. “We have a warehouse space. Last year we hired our very first full-time staff member,” says Hebert-Ford, who serves as board operations chair. Recently, the first part-timer was brought on board.
More than two dozen corporate and community partners support Student Success Stores with monetary and inkind contributions. Before opening a new store, Hebert-Ford says, the nonprofit raises enough funds to operate the location for five years. Other contributions come from individuals or groups that hold donation drives or purchase items off an Amazon wish list to help fill store shelves.
“It’s been amazing. Columbus has been amazing to us,” says Hebert-Ford, who is thankful to have support from volunteers, donors and family. She and her husband, Alex Ford, live with their son, Archie, in Clintonville. “What I learned and what surprised me is that people really want to help other people,” she says.
“When you put good out in the world and you try to help other people, it will also make a profound impact on you.”
Hebert-Ford in fact was so inspired by working with Student Success Stores and the counselors who help with the program that she decided to make a career change. She’s now the middle school counselor at the Wellington School.
About Nicole Hebert-Ford
What is the most rewarding part of this journey?
I think for me, it was transformative in that I left the classroom to become a school counselor because I was so inspired by the work that school counselors are doing day in and day out.
Why is middle school a target demographic for the program?
I think that it’s such a critical stage of development, where if we can uplift and boost students’ confidence and self-esteem that it can be transformative for students’ lives. … Students cannot drop out in middle school, but students start to check out in middle school.
What is your goal for Student Success Stores?
My vision, my dream, would be that every school that needs something like this could have it, because students have one job, which is to focus on being a student and focus on thriving, not surviving.
“I do believe that the future is bright. I believe that our students are incredibly bright and resilient, and I’m constantly energized by the ideas and the passion and energy, and I think that supporting the next generation is so, so important because they’re going to make the world better for everybody. And I am given so much hope by being able to be surrounded by kids all day in my work.”
Hebert-Ford organizes clothing in the Student Success Store at World Language Middle School in Clintonville
LISA WOODWARD
Uplifting single moms and ushering in ‘The Age of the Mom’
By Katy Smith
When Aja Greene learned in spring 2022 that she would become the parent to her newborn grandson, Elijah, the list of needs was long. For one, “I hadn’t been around an itty-bitty baby in 20 years,” she says. The first night she took Elijah home, Greene had nothing—no car seat, no crib, and no milk for the baby, only a referral by Nationwide Children’s Hospital to an organization called Motherful, which she was told provides emergency breast milk to moms in need. She called the number in the middle of the night and was surprised someone picked up. The voice on the other end of the line was Lisa Woodward’s.
“I’m going to get up, and you’re going to meet me at this place, and I’m going to get everything for you,” Greene recalls Woodward saying. Greene went to Motherful’s resource center on Agler Road in Gahanna and walked into a wonderland of supplies. “I was shocked when I got there. It was this garage, and she had milk and formula and car seats and clothes and blankets—and everything. And I actually cried, because I was just like, ‘Thank you. You don’t even know me. And you got out of your bed, you left your family to come and help me.’”
Motherful is a collective of single moms—grandmothers, teen moms, moms with kids in college who they still support, all kinds of moms. “Because once you’re a mom, you’re always a mom. The mothering does not stop,” Woodward says.
Woodward started her motherhood journey at 17, when she got pregnant while a student at Columbus Alternative High School. Today, her three daughters are 30, 24 and 12. She’d been a dancer, but put that aspiration on hold to become a mom. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says. “It’s the hardest job in the world, but it’s super gratifying.”
Woodward met Motherful cofounder Heidi Howes in 2018, and they discovered they shared a desire to create an inventory of resources for single moms. They began sharing the list at community dinners they held around the city.
Lisa Woodward is the cofounder of Motherful, a collective of single moms.
Motherful incorporated as a nonprofit that year.
One of the keys to the organization’s success—beyond Woodward’s warm, steadying demeanor—is its ability to engage partners in its cause. The skills she developed during previous careers as an operations manager for a Columbus industrial design firm and a personal assistant in Manhattan are evident in Woodward’s ability to marshal resources for Motherful. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020, “We were like, go. It’s time for action, because these moms are going to need things,” Woodward says. She and Howes started a food pantry, enlisting the help of Trader Joe’s, which makes twice-weekly donations.
Soon, they remodeled the garage of the property on Agler Road, turning it into a pantry and free store where mothers can pick up food, diapers, menstrual supplies, COVID test kits and other household needs. A community garden is supported by an Ohio State University Extension master gardener and the Women’s Board at Franklin Park Conservatory.
Mothers do more than visit the pantry—they volunteer there as well, earning $25 a shift. The JusticeMobile, a free service run by Columbus attorney Mindy Yocum, visits monthly to help mothers with legal needs.
“They’re in this single mom world with their kids at home. It’s kind of lonely, and you’re always budgeting so hard, you can’t really do certain things that you might want to do,” Woodward says. That’s why Motherful likes to play “fairy godmother,” showering moms with luxuries such as filet mignon, swordfish, acupressure and reiki. “A lot of moms don’t feel worth it, and we help them remember that they are worth all of it.”
About 600 moms who are part of the Motherful collective stay in touch via an app. The online community serves as a lifeline for the many mothers who lack reliable transportation, Woodward says.
Sustainability is a dearly held value for the organization. A Climate Justice Fund grant supports Motherful’s 40,000 pounds of composting a year, which is donated to the London Correctional Institution for use in its gardening program. Other funding comes from the state and federal governments, the United Way and individual and corporate donations. The nonprofit is steered by a board of directors and a
About Lisa Woodward
What is a challenge you have overcome?
You know, I hate talking [in front of an audience]. But I’m proud of myself that this year, I started talking more. I’m getting better and better. I’m overcoming my fear.
What inspires you?
Being free and creative. Being able to witness freedom, whatever that looks like for you. My kids inspire me, especially my older kids—I’ve seen them get through all these stages. Looking back at my mom, because I was raised by a single mom… My mom inspires me.
What keeps you engaged?
Motherful is my life’s mission as a mom. The collective includes so many people who understand you and support you. It just feels good to be held, and that’s what we want—all moms—to feel supported.
Matriarch Council of 11 moms. It has just three employees.
Motherful piloted a prepared foods business this year with a grant from the city of Columbus and plans for that to become a regular social enterprise in 2025. It will have help from its pantry produce partner, Garden for All in New
Albany, which connects it to use of an industrial kitchen.
Looking to the future, Motherful has formed an advisory board for a community housing project, the details of which will be announced in the coming months.
“The labor of mothering is an unpaid and un-uplifted journey, so we’re uplifting the matriarchy,” Woodward says. “Because there’s only two types of people in this world: mothers and their children.”
Reflecting on the community that’s built such strong bonds in just a few short years, Woodward makes a declaration: “It’s the Age of the Mom.”
Lisa Woodward hugs another mom. Below, the Motherful community garden.
JILL COTTONE
Founder, Sedona Grace Foundation, pet food pantries support
What makes her heroic: Cottone created a foundation in 2011 named after her beloved dog to provide pet food to pantries. “Sedona was a shelter dog who was dropped off at the pound when she was 3 years old. We couldn’t imagine having to give up a beloved pet because we had to decide between feeding them or feeding a family.” In 2023, Sedona Grace served 17 food pantries in Central Ohio with 59,601 pounds of dry dog and cat food.
What is a challenge you have overcome?
“When COVID-19 hit, I made the decision to keep providing food pantries with pet food, since [they] ... were still open. Prior to COVID-19, we had monthly ‘pet food packing’ volunteer nights where 20 volunteers would pack over 3,000 pounds in two hours. With COVID, I lost all my volunteers and would pack all of it myself. Slowly, I added a few volunteers at a time and we masked up... and kept on going.”
What inspires you? “Once in awhile, we will have a food pantry send us a message from one of their shoppers expressing their gratitude for receiving the pet food. Sometimes, we have people reach out to us directly. One woman reached out to say when her husband lost his job, they were going to have to tell their children they’d have to get rid of their beloved dog—until she found the pet food at her food pantry.”
What keeps you engaged? “Just knowing that we can keep one dog or cat out of the shelters is what keeps me going. That, and seeing our wonderful volunteers come twice a month with smiles on their faces, full of energy ready to pack kibble! We could not do this without them.”
RICK & LISA GAWRONSKI
Volunteer karaoke deejays, Willowbrook Christian Village in Delaware and other area nursing homes
What makes them heroes: The Gawronskis have put on over 218 karaoke shows at nursing homes, mostly at Willowbrook Christian Village in Delaware. They have brought laughter, joy and love to elderly residents through singing oldies that take them back and make them smile.
“We try to help those who are lonely, sad, ill, hurting, wheelchair bound or have memory issues. We try to help them to smile and laugh again.”
What is a challenge you have overcome?
“The residents we serve have typically lost some of their physical or mental abilities, and some just struggle with the challenges of growing old. We try to help them to feel “normal” again. We take them back to their happier times and try to engage them during the show by performing their song requests, performing dance routines and occasionally, we offer them a mic to sing with us. We also do a segment called “Dad Jokes”. After all, laughter is the best form of medicine!”
What inspires you? “We have three priorities in life: Serve God, love our family and help others.”
What keeps you engaged? “We just finished our 223rd music show. We do it for two reasons: Because that is what God calls us to do (to love and help others), and we also do it for their smiles!”
MARGARET “PEGGY” KASTEN
Founder, All Women’s English Classes, Bethel International United Methodist Church
What makes her heroic: In 2023, Kasten built relationships with immigrant women who brought their children to play on the grounds of Bethel International United Methodist Church. After discovering how anxious the women were to learn English, she wrote and received a grant from the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church enabling her to hire an ESL teacher and buy books and supplies. Kasten recruited church members as teacher’s aides and to help with children who came with their mothers to class.
What inspires you? “I am inspired by our new American neighbors, who are from places like Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and Turkey, and the volunteers supporting the All Women’s English Classes. The women students, with a wide age range, come from a variety of situations (some spoke multiple languages, some were not literate in their own language) but have the common and difficult to achieve dream of learning to speak English and building a life in a new and strange country.”
What keeps you engaged? “It is not difficult to stay engaged when it is so easy to see the progress that the women are making as English speakers and the relationships that are being built. Additionally, this academic year we have a new partnership that provides dinner and childcare for our All Women’s English class.”
DENISE KILGORE
Volunteer and board president, Little Bottoms Free Store
What makes her a hero: Denise has served low-income families in Columbus for the past five years, giving her time to organize community donations and volunteers and distribute diapers, wipes, clothing and baby supplies to over 1,000 families every week at Little Bottoms Free Store.
What is a challenge you have overcome? “When the pandemic hit, I organized a weekly drive-up format where families would stay in their cars, and the volunteers ran supplies out to them. This change allowed the Free Store to provide services to an average of 50 families each week throughout the entire pandemic.”
What inspires you? “The countless number of parents in Franklin County who are doing their very best to raise their children in a world where the minimum wage is far from being sufficient to provide the basic necessities of shelter, food, clothes, diapers and a safe place to sleep. And providing opportunities for individuals and groups to donate and volunteer in a meaningful way, increase their understanding of the lived experience of the less fortunate.”
What keeps you engaged? “Meeting the families who grace the doors at Little Bottoms each week, getting to know them personally and listening to their stories, and directing them to other resources. Working with amazing volunteers each week—many have become lifelong friends. Meeting so many people and organizations who graciously donate clothes, diapers, etc. each week. Lastly, how I continually see what my faith yields when it is lived out on earth.”
SALLY MALARET & FIONA THE THERAPY DOG
Certified therapy dog team
What makes them heroic: Sally and Fiona have done over 925 therapy dog visits at PBJ Connections (behavioral health therapy) open houses, schools, assisted living facilities and at Sun Behavioral Health.
“Fiona and I offer comfort to those struggling with anxiety, depression and loneliness, sharing her loving presence when they need it most. Seeing how Fiona eases their stress and brings smiles to students and staff makes every moment together even more meaningful.”
What is a challenge you have overcome? “Fiona once trembled at the sight of an elevator, her fear evident in every step. After three weeks of patient encouragement, she finally stepped in with calm confidence, and the pride I felt watching her overcome that fear was immeasurable.”
What inspires you? Every time Fiona and I see someone’s face light up or feel the gentle touch of a hand petting her, it fills us with a renewed sense of purpose. The appreciation from staff, students and everyone we meet makes our commitment to volunteering even more meaningful, inspiring us to keep going.”
What keeps you engaged? “Building trust with young people takes time, but every moment spent helping them through their struggles is worth it. Knowing we can be there for them when they need it most fills us with a deep sense of fulfillment, and it’s this connection that makes our work so rewarding.”
DOTTIE ODROSKY
Volunteer and co-founder, Mount Carmel Health System
Sole Care Clinic, and caregiver support group facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Association
What makes her a hero: Dottie Odrosky has volunteered her nursing skills with the Mount Carmel Health System
Sole Care Clinic since 2016, giving approximately 170 hours—more than a month of full-time work—of her time to date.
The team of volunteers at the Sole Care Clinic serves unsheltered and unhoused individuals, washing feet, performing examinations and providing foot care if there is a medical need.
What hurdles have you overcome? “Most seasoned citizens like myself travel, but since childhood, I have had very bad motion sickness (cars, boats, airplanes). Therefore, I do not travel and choose to do volunteer work that gives me joy.”
What inspires you? “Certainly, my Christian faith, with Jesus’ command to serve others, inspires me. Also, I’m inspired by volunteers in all roles in the community, state and country.”
What keeps you engaged? “I love to work, and the positive responses of those I serve keeps me engaged. For example, seeing the shoulders of a burdened caregiver relax in a support group meeting; experiencing the connection with an unhoused individual when they receive foot care with a nurse’s touch; and participating in friendship and joyful laughter with a challenged older adult attending their special church class.”
CODY BALLARD & RENNY TYSON
Co-founders, BRICK (Brotherhood, Respect, Inspiration, Community and Knowledge) Sports and the Brick Initiative
What makes them heroes: Ballard runs free basketball clinics at Lazelle Woods and Woodward Park and oversees a social-emotional learning program with We Are Linden. His initiatives, including the Back-to-School Supply Drive and the Holiday Toy Drive, brought in 1,538 gifts in 2023 for families in need. Tyson has over 20 years of coaching and development
experience. He is the coach of the Whitehall Yearling Rams varsity girls basketball team. Under his guidance and mentorship, 40 basketball players have received full NCAA scholarships. Twenty players have played professionally.
What hurdles have you overcome? Ballard: “Having people adapt to
JIM BURNS AND MARY CASEY
Volunteers, Horizon Prison Initiative and the North Broadway United Methodist Church Early Response Team for Disaster Relief
What makes them heroic: Jim and Mary travel to support communities around the country affected by natural disasters. The married couple also volunteers with the Horizon Prison Initiative, where Jim is board president, helping inmates in
the London Correctional Institution and the Ohio Reform-atory for Women who participate in a 10-month program that addresses addiction, parenting, life skills, trauma-informed healing and building community.
change. Our leagues are run differently and we also have different rules than most leagues in this area, so it took people time to adjust.” Tyson: “Expanding our nonprofit organization Brick Initiative/Brick League from serving 80 kids to over 900, while significantly increasing revenue and impact. This growth required strategic planning, securing sponsorships and building a strong team to support the vision and sustain the momentum.”
What inspires you? Ballard: “Helping kids reach their goals and being the absolute best at what we do.” Tyson: “Seeing the positive impact my work has on individuals and the community, whether it’s helping young athletes achieve their goals or creating inclusive programs that bring people together.”
What keeps you engaged? Ballard: “Seeing the parents’ and kids’ excitement when one of our events is approaching.” Tyson: “The continuous opportunity to inspire growth and make a difference drives my passion and commitment.”
What is a challenge you have overcome? “We never imagined we’d be working in a prison or a disaster zone. In the prison, we had to set aside preconceived notions about what life was like for those incarcerated. For those impacted by a disaster, we had to brace for the scale of destruction and personal loss.”
What inspires you? “The care and love of family and friends in the Columbus community. This in turn has inspired us to meet others, wherever that may be, to offer hope. We believe in the power of presence and have seen over and over how it can lift those who are facing the most challenging times of their lives.”
What keeps you engaged? “As they say, in giving, you shall receive. There is such a need for this work. It’s not always easy and can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but we never walk away without having made a profound connection with those we meet along the way.”
CHET RIDENOUR
Victorian Village/Short North neighborhood advocate and volunteer
What is a challenge you have overcome? “I try to be the best neighbor I can by being known, available and answering the call to lend a hand whenever possible. I’m a natural networker, so I’m regularly making connections between one person’s skills/assets and another’s needs/gaps. And I’ve organized regular social meetups on our block to provide space to bring people together to strengthen their own relationships.”
Overcoming challenges: “Working through the dual fears of rejection and failure has helped me focus on the positive impact on those benefiting from my efforts. Having such a big dream for how neighboring can improve people’s lives, I have to remind myself to start small and iterate from there.”
What inspires you? “Seeing my own neighbors’ selfless willingness to support each other inspires me; like when Dave dog sits for us, Shane secures a front porch package for Barb or Ubi and Brian have lent us their tools. I often paraphrase JFK, remarking that he’d say, “Ask not what your neighbors can do for you, but what you can do for your neighbors.”
What keeps you engaged? “I’ve enrolled in a Neighboring 101 course through the University of Missouri Greene County Extension to learn best practices in the national neighboring movement. It’s been encouraging to learn how to apply the principles of asset-based community development on a hyper-local level by focusing on what’s already strong on our blocks rather than what’s wrong.”
MIKE UETRECHT
Founder, Auntie V’s Corner of Kindness fka The Little Free Pantry at Ann and Sycamore
What makes him a hero: Uetrecht created and runs Auntie V’s Corner of Kindness, a 24-hour outdoor pantry at Ann and Sycamore streets in Columbus. He also organizes a yearly winter coat and school supply backpack giveaway.
“My house—it’s just me and my dogs here—gets overrun with coats in December and backpacks and school supplies in July. I also partner with Bombas socks—we’ve given away almost 17,000 pairs to homeless shelters, schools and other places. My house usually has between 20 and 40 big boxes of socks laying around. I would love to find a donated storage place!”
What is a challenge you have overcome? “I’ve been HIV positive for 24 years, I stutter, had a heart attack and I’m gay, but I don’t consider those challenges. I see them as my superpowers and simply who I am. I consider myself incredibly lucky because I’m here and I’m fine.”
What inspires you? “I’ve always been inspired by my Auntie V, who the Corner of Kindness is in honor of. She passed away from COVID in 2021 and was the best person I knew. She stood by me through anything and taught me the importance of putting positive back in the world.”
What keeps you engaged? “With everything going on in the world and the challenges we’re facing in this country, it’s important to be kind and make your little corner of the world better and more positive.”
Community Event
Columbus Monthly and our partners—Center for HumanKindness at the Columbus Foundation, The Columbus Dispatch and Columbus CEO and sponsored by AEP Ohio, COSI and United Way of Central Ohio—will honor the 2024 class of Everyday Kindness Heroes at a Dec. 4 awards reception at COSI, where a top Everyday Kindness Hero will be announced. The Columbus Foundation’s Center for HumanKindness will provide grants to all honorees to bestow on the nonprofits of their choosing: $250 for semifinalists, $1,000 for four finalists and $5,000 for the top Everyday Kindness Hero.
JUDGES
The following individuals reviewed dozens of Everyday Kindness Heroes nominations and chose the finalists and semifinalists included in this feature package.
Jill Geiger Director, Content & Communications United Way of Central Ohio
Julanne Hohbach Managing Editor Columbus CEO
Teri Kerrigan Director, Marketing and Brand AEP
Kate Oliphint Director, Center for HumanKindness The Columbus Foundation
Katy Smith Editor
Columbus Monthly
Eric Wygle
Marketing Promotions & Community Affairs Manager
The Columbus Dispatch
EverydayKindness Heroes Celebrate our 2024
The annual Everyday Heroes program has a new name and look, and the goal remains the same: celebrating everyday kindness.
The December issue of Columbus Monthly honors those who perform acts of kindness to strengthen, heal and unite our community.
Chosen by a panel of judges, finalists and semifinalists also will be honored at a December event, where an overall Everyday Kindness Hero is announced.
Critical MASS
The blocks around Gay and High streets are about to become the newest arts center in Columbus, and that’s by design. The developer revitalizing the area has placed art at the center of all he does.
By Katy Smith
Gallery owners Michelle Brandt, Duff Lindsay and Margaret Wunderlich at the corner of Gay and High streets Downtown, where they are opening new galleries
By spring, Columbus will have a new arts district: at the revitalized intersection of Gay and North High streets. Two prominent Short North gallerists will move down North High into historic buildings being renovated by the Edwards Cos., where they will be joined in contiguous spaces by a third gallery helmed by a Short North alum. Steps from the gallery doors, an outdoor sculpture garden will share world-class pieces with the public, building on the momentum that began with the installation of the massive fiber sculpture Current by internationally renowned artist Janet Echelman over the intersection in 2023.
The moves will bring the number of galleries open or planning to open in that two-block radius to six, with more in talks about potential relocation. The area was home to only one gallery at the beginning of 2021. The newcomers include:
Ӳ Michelle Brandt will open Brandt Gallery and Pecha Projects at 72-76 N. High St. in the historic Madison’s Department Store buildings. Her gallery is mov-
ing from 642 N. High St. at the corner of High and Russell, where she opened Brandt-Roberts Galleries in 2010.
Ӳ Next door, Margaret Wunderlich will open Chaos Contemporary Craft at 78 N. High St. on the ground floor of the renovated White Haines building. It and the
Madison’s buildings are now home to The Madison, a 44-unit apartment community that spans the three historic buildings.
Ӳ Outsider and folk art veteran Duff Lindsay’s Lindsay Gallery will move into 80 N. High St., just north of Wunderlich’s space, from 986 N. High St. at Second
Developer Jeff Edwards, left, and Kim Ulle, right, president of Edwards’ development arm, Eclipse Real Estate, stand inside the White Haines building in 2020.
Art galleries from the Short North are relocating to the ground floor of these buildings at the intersection of Gay and High streets Downtown.
Avenue and High, where it has lived since 2001.
The three galleries hope to be operating in their new spaces by early in the new year, depending on the pace of construction, and plan grand openings for the spring.
It’s monumental change for a Downtown Columbus block that was marred by vacant and deteriorating buildings and empty storefronts for more than 30 years. The revitalization is the work of real estate developer Jeff Edwards, whose Edwards Cos. has done building projects or renovations at three of the four corners at Gay and High since 2018, spending more than $160 million.
As a collector himself who particularly loves sculpture, Edwards also is the driving force behind the emphasis on public art in the new Gay and High district and beyond. He funded the design and creation of Current, donating it to the Columbus Museum of Art in what the muse-
um says is the largest private contribution to public art in the history of Columbus.
Plans call for the sculpture garden to feature pieces by local artists as curated by the three gallerists, Edwards says. He also will share pieces from his personal collection for placement in the district, he says, though he’s not ready to share details.
The painstaking renovation of the historic White Haines-Madison’s buildings places the galleries in spaces filled with gorgeous historic details, such as elaborate crown molding, original tile flooring and soaring ceilings. Edwards Cos. was awarded $4.4 million in tax credits in 2020 to complete the project, which is part of the High & Gay Streets Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Meyers and Associates is the lead architect for that project and for the 100 N. High St. building being constructed next door, where Edwards Cos. is building 152 apartments anchored by
ground-floor storefronts on a former surface parking lot. 100 N. High will connect to The Madison via the sculpture garden and an underground tunnel. The Pearl Street alleyway behind will be re-envisioned as part of the first phase of the Capital Line project, a 5-mile pedestrian pathway being planned by Edwards and Downtown Columbus Inc. that’s in the design phase now.
“You’ll be able to enter into the sculpture garden [from High], and then you can go out the back and end up almost at the corner of Elm and Pearl,” Edwards says. “That’ll all be very pedestrian-friendly and activated and quirky in a good way.”
Down the hall from the galleries at the back of the renovated buildings, plans call for a 60-seat Mexican restaurant by the highly regarded chef Josh Dalton, who owns two other restaurants in Edwards projects at Gay and High: Veritas in the Citizens Trust building and Speck Italian Eatery in The Nicholas.
Embarking on a New Journey, Together Walking through the unfinished gallery space with Brandt and Lindsay in October, as Edwards Cos. contractors pounded new flooring into place and an architect made careful measurements at a work table, the sense of possibility was palpable. The gallerists had been in conversation with Edwards about the new galleries since 2019, and they now stood inside them, dust and tools everywhere, watching them come into being.
For Lindsay, who worked a 20-year career at WBNS-10TV prior to opening Lindsay Gallery in 1999 in Upper
(2),
JOSHUA A. BICKEL
The White Haines building pre-restoration
The new gallery spaces
The White Haines building as it looked in 2020
Arlington, the new gallery is another rebirth. “The opportunity to work together like this and to be concentrated in one area—it’s a chance to feed off of each other and to feed off the enthusiasm of all the galleries in this area,” Lindsay says.
A bond among the three gallerists has developed over more than a decade as colleagues, and it was cemented by being there for one another in times of trauma. Brandt beat stage IV colon cancer in 2018, and she credits her return to health, in part, to the community of gallery owners who stood by her through the dark months of her diagnosis and treatment.
In 2022, Lindsay was carrying a large piece of art down the stairs into the basement of his gallery and fell. He woke up 10 days later in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, having been put on life support. When faced by these obstacles, rather than canceling the openings of their artists, whom they championed, Brandt and Lindsay found themselves surrounded by colleagues ready to help run the shows.
After two years of therapy, the new Lindsay Gallery and a new challenge are just what his doctor recommends, Lindsay says.
“Let’s face it: I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m at a point in my life where I can retire if I want to. But why would I? When Jeff Edwards came to me and spelled out this vision, I thought, this is exactly what I need,” Lindsay says. “Having a small business
is extremely isolating sometimes, and this business in particular is tough. But walking into this opportunity, with these two by my side, is the best scenario I could possibly ask for.”
As one of the premier folk and outsider art gallerists in the United States, Lindsay regularly travels to art hubs like New York City, where he goes every year as a dealer at the Outside Art Fair. People there seek him out, looking for pieces by William Hawkins and Elijah Pierce, two Columbus artists revered in the folk/selftaught art scene. With his deep grasp of the national art scene, Lindsay says what is being built by Edwards at Gay and High is something special.
“I spent many years as a collector, and I don’t know of any areas in the country that have a concentration of galleries that this area will have by April,” he says. “I believe the foot traffic will be heavy in this area at Gay and High.”
Brandt Gallery and Pecha Projects Brandt’s new gallery encompasses two spaces—the main gallery and an adjacent space she envisions as a studio where artists and curators from around the country and the world will expand on their ideas with talks, multimedia and experiential art. Brandt was inspired to create Pecha Projects, as it will be called, during a trip to Michoacán, Mexico, where her family is from. Pecha is named after the indigenous Purhépecha, from whom Brandt descends on her mother’s side.
Pecha Projects will launch in 2025 with an exhibition by Elsa Muñoz, a Chicagoand Madrid-based artist whose “Controlled Burns” exhibition was shown at Brandt’s Short North gallery in April. Muñoz’s emotional paintings explore the practice among native people of setting intentional forest fires to bring health to the ecosystem and the larger themes that spring from that.
In her main gallery, Brandt will continue to focus on contemporary art, primarily paintings, that address social narratives. She has uplifted the work of Ohio artists including several graduates of the Columbus College of Art & Design, curated exhibits for the gallery at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James, and has served as a frequent art adviser to collectors and stakeholder groups in the city.
“What I love about the three of us is we all do something different,” Brandt says. “For Columbus and really any city
in the Midwest to have this experience— for visitors to be able to come in through this beautiful sculpture garden and find four distinct experiences happening in one space is really incredible.”
Chaos Contemporary Craft will specialize in traditional media, such as jewelry, sculpture, glass and ceramics, as well as virtual reality and interactive digital media. As a former Sherrie Gallerie associate since 2013, Wunderlich will carry on some of the spirit that defined that Short North gallery, which closed in 2022 when founder Sherrie Hawk retired. But Wunderlich is building her own roster of artists.
“It’s always been my dream to have my own gallery space and be able to give the artists that I see as important a voice,” she says. “They’re having a conversation that I think the world needs to hear. The goal is to get their work into people’s lives, into their homes, into their everyday experiences.”
The three will be joined by another new gallery opening in 2025 in the immediate area. Tiffany Duncan will open Hammond Harkins Galleries at 103 N. High St. in The Nicholas in February, having bought the gallery name and engaged many of its legacy artists. Hammond Harkins was founded by Marlana Hammond Keynes, who closed the Short North gallery in 2023. Duncan’s gallery will be a few doors down from Sarah Gormley Gallery, which opened in the building in 2022. Nearby, No Place Gallery has been at 1 E. Gay St. since 2021. Skylab Gallery at 57 E. Gay St. has been there since 1998, but told Matter News in October that it was facing eviction by its landlord.
Like Wunderlich, Duncan is making the leap into entrepreneurship because she believes in the chance to succeed. The tenants in Edwards Cos. buildings have the backing of a partner with a larger vision.
“I’ve tried to give them very favorable economic conditions under which to move in and operate,” Edwards says, “and have promised to keep it that way longterm, trying to support the arts.”
Edwards’ passion for business owners, the neighborhood and Columbus as a whole is energizing, Wunderlich says. “I feel like he sees the same passion in us as we see in our artists. And it feels like he’s curating this space in much the same way we curate our spaces.”
“I think he understands that a vibrant gallery scene can be the spark plug for a neighborhood,” Lindsay says. “It can create surrounding success.” ◆
The New Gay + High
Long neglected, one of Downtown Columbus’ prettiest, most historic business districts is quickly becoming the hottest block in town, and it’s going to get even better. The transformation is thanks to the vision of Jeff Edwards.
JBy Katy Smith
osh Dalton took a leap of faith in moving his restaurant, Veritas, to the corner of Gay and High streets in Downtown Columbus in late 2017. After seeing the innovative chef’s success in Delaware, real estate developer Jeff Edwards contacted him with a proposal: Bring your restaurant to a building I’m renovating into apartments, and I’ll build you a kitchen. (Edwards says he learned of Dalton by reading a Columbus Monthly article naming Veritas one of the region’s best new restaurants.)
The Citizens Trust building on the southwest corner of Gay and High was a former bank that sat empty for too long, and foot traffic there was spotty. The stretch of restaurants and shops heading east on Gay had a few bright spots— Due Amici, Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails, Brioso Coffee, El Arepazo in the Pearl Street alley south of Gay—but activity in the area, especially in the evenings, when dinner-only Veritas would be open, was sparse. Dalton went with his inner optimist and let Edwards convince him over breakfast one day at Bob Evans to make the move.
In the new location, and with a top-notch cocktail bar in the renovated Citizens Trust lobby upstairs, Veritas’ following grew. Though it struggled, it weathered the COVID pandemic years that decimated many restaurants. Before long, it was 2023 and Dalton was opening Speck Italian Eatery in a neighboring Edwards Cos. apartment building, The Nicholas, which the developer built over the city block spanning West Gay to West Long streets on a former surface parking lot. (Speck, like Veritas, gained acclaim after opening first in Delaware, and then moved Downtown.)
Now, Edwards is planning to build Dalton a third kitchen, across High Street from Speck, in a neighborhood that’s rapidly come alive with restaurants, galleries and shops, including Dalton’s High Street wine shop with sommelier Gregory Stokes, Accent Wine. Suspended in bright colors over the intersection during the warmer months, a massive fiber sculpture commissioned by Edwards was installed in 2023. Called Current, it’s the creation of internationally acclaimed artist Janet Echelman. The sculpture serves as the gathering place for a new series of events organized by the Downtown Columbus Inc. (DCI) economic development organization in partnership with the community, such as the Natural Wine Festival, a silent disco and High Spirits alternative art and music festival Oct. 12. Meanwhile, Hank’s Low Country Seafood
and Raw Bar has opened on the northwest corner of Gay and High, and a French bistro, Chouette, is serving dinner across the street on the northeast corner. Both eateries are operated by Makeready, a partnership of Edwards and Jim Merkel, CEO and co-founder of hotel developer Rockbridge.
On a pleasant Thursday evening in October, the intersection bustled with people dining on patios, returning from after-work errands and walking their dogs. Valets were hopping into and out of vehicles in front of the entrance to Hank’s on West Gay. The sculpture, the restaurants and the 270-plus apartments in The Nicholas and The Madison across the street seem to be making a difference: Foot traffic was up 135% April through October 2024 compared with 2022, according to PlacerAI data collected by Edwards Cos.
Dalton’s New Rosalita
The increase in activity bodes well for Dalton’s next project. Rosalita, as the chef plans to call his new Mexican restaurant, will be down the hall from three art galleries opening in the historic Madison’s-White Haines buildings being renovated by Edwards Cos. at 72-80 N. High St.—Brandt Gallery, Lindsay Gallery and Chaos Contemporary Craft.
Plans, which are subject to change, call for a 60-seat eatery with patio seating spilling onto Pearl Street behind, enlivening what long has been a desolate stretch of alley, especially after nightfall. The menu will reflect Dalton’s take on contemporary Mexican cooking, he says, including easy-drinking, food-friendly cocktails that celebrate tequila, mezcal and the flavors of Mexico.
“I go to Mexico a lot, and it’s hands down one of my favorite cuisines, and the people are amazing,” Dalton says. “I really want to pay respect to it and make sure that we’re doing it with integrity, showcasing ingredients and techniques used in Mexico.” To that end, all the tortillas at Rosalita will be made in-house, the chef says, with reverence for the masa, or corn dough, used to create them.
The restaurant is still being designed and won’t open until the third quarter of 2025, Edwards and Dalton say.
Art-Filled Streetscapes
Edwards Cos. has made a massive investment in the Gay and High area, with a total well north of $160 million across the Citizens Trust renovation, The Nicholas, The Madison, the renovations for Chouette and the 15-story
Photos by Tim Johnson
Developer Jeff Edwards standing on East Gay Street in early November 2024
apartment building at 100 N. High now under construction, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. And more is on the way.
Gay and High is not the only area of Downtown Edwards is working to transform. The developer also has projects including a $63 million conversion of the PNC tower at 155 E. Broad St. into residences and construction of a 13-story apartment building at Young and East Broad streets, according to The Dispatch
To tie all these projects together, in February, plans for a $100 million, 2-mile pedestrian path called the Capital Line were announced by the city of Columbus, DCI and Edwards. The path would travel down Gay Street to North Front Street, cross the Scioto River along Broad Street, continue down Belle Street past COSI and the Peninsula, and take Rich Street back to Gay along Fourth Street. The streets, with their large rights-of-way, would become much more suitable for walking by being narrowed and redesigned to prioritize people instead of vehicles. Plantings and trees would be added, and Edwards sees a special role for public art.
“I think collectors, myself and others, are willing to loan world-class pieces to the effort, maybe 15, maybe 20 pieces of significance on this Capital Line,” Edwards says. In doing so, Columbus could establish a profile as an “art city,” he says, adding that pieces by local artists would have an important place as well. (A tandem effort to raise the city’s profile through public art is being undertaken by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.)
The Capital Line will take four years to build, Edwards estimates, with the first phase running down Gay Street from Front to Fourth streets, not far from Ed-
wards’ home. He and his wife moved into the Edwards Cos. Neighborhood Launch project at Gay and Fourth in January, excited to live amid all the transformation.
“In 10 years, I think it’s going to be dramatically different,” he says of Downtown. “And if any of the other places that have done [an urban trail, such as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail] is an example, for every dollar you invest, there’s a $14 investment made by the private sector thereafter.”
More Voices, More Ideas
Edwards and his wife personally have added two residents toward a goal set by DCI as part of its strategic plan to revitalize the urban core in the post-pandemic, work-from-home era, which it delivered in 2022 following extensive research. The plan calls for 40,000 residents Downtown by 2040—it has 12,000 now.
To come up with a vision for the city of the future, a vision for the best Downtown Columbus possible, Edwards engaged a sounding board of people from various backgrounds in 2023. He says while he’s worked Downtown all his life, he and his wife lived in Dublin for 29 years. “I’m kind of old and boring, but I would like to do urban development,” he says. “I’m not a suburban guy, but still, you need younger people. You need people with diverse interests, you need a smattering of humanity that helps you make the city cool.”
He hired urban design firm Realm Collaborative to test ideas and facilitate the process of coming up with ways to advance the city. The conversations that began with a small group of about 15 people including Realm principal Brian Bernstein; Amy Edwards Taylor, president of Downtown Columbus Inc.; Don
DeVere of Day Cos./DeVere Development; Tom Marano of Marano Design; Kim Ulle of Edwards/Eclipse Real Estate; Bruce Garfield of Music Columbus; Abhed Alshahal of Alchemy restaurants; Yohannan Terrell and Christopher Jones of marketing firm Warhol & Wall Street and Columbus Fashion Alliance; Michelle Brandt of Brandt Gallery; Christine Bunker of Backbone Collaborative; Jordan Davis of Smart Columbus; Nancy Recchie and Jeff Darbee of Benjamin D. Rickey & Co.; Marc Conte of the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District; Alex Fischer of White Oak Partners; Doug Kridler of The Columbus Foundation; and Jim Merkel of Rockbridge.
The sounding board evolved into being organically, Alshahal says. “It was this group of people with really diverse backgrounds in fashion, in music, restaurants, hospitality,” he says. “And one conversation after the next led to a kind of visual steering committee.” Ultimately, the group landed on the idea that they wanted to create a Downtown where history, art, commerce and residential work together in harmony. “All those things combined create a bustling Downtown,” he says.
People from this group traveled as a team to see urban pedestrian trails in Indianapolis, Denver, Detroit and Oklahoma City. The conversations encompassed a year’s worth of research and community engagement, “all in the efforts of really trying to understand, how do we do that with the community, not for the community,” says Terrell, who was a leader in the work. He singled out as a point of success a new grant program by DCI where creatives in the city can apply and receive dollars to take over a street in Downtown for an event.
The Citizens Trust building and the site where The Nicholas would be built a few year later
Drag perfomer Robyn DaCultyre at the High Spirits Art & Music Fest held at the corner of High and Gay Oct. 12
The biggest idea that came from the research, Edwards says, was that Downtown Columbus suffers from a lack of connectivity. To solve for that, Realm worked up a series of renderings showing how the city could look, feel and function if leaders strategically identified places to create narrower roadways; activated streets with market stalls and seasonal events; and standardized lighting, signage and paving. Many of the ideas originated from some of the most successful pedestrian experiences in the world, such as those on Brighton Road in England and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Bernstein says.
“[Jeff Edwards] is really interested in creating a better Downtown,” he says, standing in the room on the 17th floor of the Chase Tower on East Broad Steet, where hundreds of people were invited to give input on the renderings last year. With its dated carpet patterns and rough, partially painted walls, the former offices make the perfect backdrop for such an exercise. “It’s a very benevolent thing to go and take your own money and invest and try to ideate around how it could be better, particularly for a Downtown coming out of a pandemic, where office workers aren’t coming Downtown anymore, and so there really isn’t a guaranteed market,” Bernstein says. “It was just [Edwards] believing in all the things that he was trying to do [with] public space and public connectivity and what attracts and retains people to Downtown.”
Difficult and Possible
DCI counted more visitors to events Downtown in 2023 than in 2019, Taylor says. “So we’re no longer benchmarking against pre-pandemic. We’re looking for-
ward about trying to really create that Downtown of the future—that believable belongingness,” she says. “If we create reasons for people to come down from multiple different parts of our community, that’s the secret sauce.”
To give people more reasons to enjoy the neighborhood at Gay and High, DCI launched the Ground Floor Growth Initiative to support minority- and women-owned businesses that open shops there. So far, it’s attracted several. Three
Bites Bakery and Little Cat Boba coffee and teahouse have opened at 12 E. Broad St., while in November, Black Kahawa Coffee was set to open at 2 E. Broad St. and Quality Wellness Performance & Coaching was to open at Long and High in The Nicholas. In the first quarter of 2025, vegan skincare and home goods shop Restalgic Atelier plans to open at 83 N. High St., and Evolverie clothing boutique will launch its second store at 107 N. High.
Taylor credits landlords like Michael Tomko, who owns buildings at the northeast corner of Broad and High, and Edwards for the revitalization.
“Jeff Edwards has a vision and doesn’t let hard things stop him,” she says. “He has a high expectation of what Downtown can be, and he knows that these things aren’t easy. If it were easy, someone would have done it by now. But he also knows that they’re possible.”
Merkel, who is partnering with Edwards on the 32-story Merchant Building, a mixed-use tower rising on the site of the former North Market parking lot, says, “Jeff has single-handedly transformed Gay and High, and anyone that cares about Greater Columbus owes Jeff a debt of gratitude.”
The developer is “putting his passion where his house is,” Dalton says. “He lives two blocks away, and he could live anywhere he wants. … He wants to see people do well—he’s building a legacy and building a community and changing it for the better, and thus people’s lives for the better.
“He’s a visionary and forward-thinking kind of guy. So, I’ll ride his coattails. I’ll hang on for dear life.” ◆
Hank’s Low Country Seafood
Renderings of the Capital Line on Gay Street
Savvy Investor, Generous Soul
Betsy Rueb wasn’t a flashy person—one never would have known the wealth she was skillfully growing behind the scenes.
But she’s responsible for the largest endowed gift the Columbus Foundation has ever received.
By Peter Tonguette
During her lifetime, Mary Rueb did not seek attention. She lived her life frugally and pursued her passions quietly. Known to all by her nickname, “Betsy,” she resided in the same inconspicuous house in Upper Arlington that she had shared for decades with her husband Floyd, who died in 1983. She enjoyed doing needlepoint, watching golf tournaments and, above all, tending to her investments—an interest she cultivated after Floyd’s death. She loved and cared about children, though she never had any of her own.
The strands of Rueb’s life came together in a very public way after her death at age 87 in November 2023: The Columbus Foundation announced in fall 2024 that Rueb had arranged for the foundation to receive a $55 million gift from her estate. The money would be used to create an endowed scholarship fund for Central Ohio youth.
Rueb had laid the groundwork for the donation in the early 1990s, when, with her estate planning attorney, she first made contact with the Columbus Foundation.
“She shared with us that she was going to be able to make what anybody would regard as a significant gift under her estate plans, but nobody dreamed it would amount to what it amounted to,” says J. Bradley Britton, Columbus Foundation director of planned giving and general
counsel. “She filled us in at an early point that if she had left this earth at that particular time, we might get something like half a million dollars.”
Although officials at the Columbus Foundation were aware Rueb’s assets had grown, no one knew just how dramatically. “We didn’t know that exact number until after she was gone,” says Britton, who notes the final amount of $55 million represents the largest endowed gift the foundation has ever received.
“We don’t have a threshold for, ‘You’ve got to have millions of dollars to do business with us,’ at all,” Britton says. “It’ll be what it’ll be, and we’ll be grateful no matter what. It turned out to be this extraordinary number for somebody who led a very quiet life and wasn’t presenting herself as a wealthy person.”
Charity, modesty and humility not only define Rueb’s gift but her own approach to living. Born in 1936 in Tiffin in Seneca County, Rueb trained as a nurse at the Marion General Hospital School of Practical Nursing, from which she graduated in 1958. She and her husband moved to their home on Halstead Road in 1960.
“Her house was lovely, and you could tell when you walked into it that there was money there, but it wasn’t gaudy,” says Connie Becker, Rueb’s closest friend and also her accountant. “She had very good taste in what she put together there, and I don’t think she ever changed it the whole time that she lived there.”
Although she never worked as a nurse, Rueb possessed a caring, compassionate side that reflected her training. “I would
PHOTO: COURTESY CONNIE BECKER
Betsy Rueb
describe her as a very loving person,” Becker says. “She firmly believed in God and where she was going to be someday. She was kind, but she was feisty. …She was opinionated, she was intelligent.”
She was also a quick study: Floyd Rueb, a vice president of sales at National Machinery, taught his wife about the fine art of investing, and, upon his death, she diligently grew their investments. “He taught her everything he knew about watching the stock market,” Becker says. “I would have put her against any stockbroker in town. She was that good.”
Rueb committed herself to understanding the way markets work. She read The Wall Street Journal and studied various business magazines. “She had her
‘‘
I would describe her as a very loving person. ... She firmly believed in God and where she was going to be someday. She was kind, but she was feisty. … She was opinionated, she was intelligent.
—CONNIE BECKER
black book, and that was her job every day,” Becker says. “She would sit and keep track of her dividends coming in, putting them in her black book, and looking at the stock splits and adding that all to her black book.”
From her husband, she learned the virtue of picking stocks wisely and exercising patience in holding onto them. “Floyd taught her to look for basically good blue-chip stocks, buy them when you can get them cheap and hold onto them forever,” Becker says. “She kind of did that. She didn’t have a lot of turnover in her portfolio. But I always thought she had a secret phone in her house that the Lord would call her and say, ‘Hey, get into Limited’—or whatever.’ ”
Yet Rueb’s interest in investing was not a matter of accumulating assets for their own sake. She had a purpose in mind for her growing fortune. “I think she formed an opinion early on that since she wasn’t fortunate enough to have children of her own, she wanted to do something for kids,” Becker says. “The passion that she had for helping kids who needed help is why we’re talking today.”
Over three decades ago, Rueb and her attorney first got in touch with the Columbus Foundation about her plans, which, officials say, changed little over time. “She went through different versions of her estate plan over time, which is common for lots of people,” Britton says. “But her instructions to us, that came with her bequest to us, are almost totally word-for-word consistent from 1990 to when we [received the money].”
As for the half-a-million-dollar figure Rueb had at one point mentioned to the foundation, Becker says her friend was “low-balling it probably then.”
In 2013, Rueb suffered a fall at her home and spent a short stretch recovering at Riverside Methodist Hospital. “Then [the doctors] told me, ‘She cannot go back to her home by herself,’” says Becker, who ultimately recommended that Rueb move to the same assisted-living facility that once had been home to Becker’s own mother. “She said, ‘If it was good enough for your mother, it’s good enough for me,’” Becker says. “She was very direct and very no-nonsensical.”
Rueb adjusted to her new surroundings, but by 2017, she started showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. She moved to a memory-care unit in the same facility. Although she was reaching the final leg of her journey in life, the investments she had made were still growing. “She would’ve been amazed at how much was there when she passed,” Becker says. Upon her death, the bulk of Rueb’s estate went to the Columbus Foundation. “She made a few bequests, but not many,” Becker says.
The Mary E. Rueb Fund for the Columbus Foundation, as it is officially dubbed, will make available scholarships to students from Franklin County and contiguous counties. “It is for students who have demonstrated need as well as have demonstrated a record of academic achievement,” says Angela Parsons, vice president of donor services at the foundation, adding that scholarships can be used for colleges as well as training opportunities. “It’s really broad,” Parsons says.
“When [a scholarship] is awarded, the student gets a letter letting them know which scholarship is being awarded,” Parsons says. “It also has some history of Betsy and the fund, so the student knows who has made this scholarship possible.”
Because the scholarship fund is endowed, it will continue indefinitely. “We can thread the needle of making very, very significant grants out, using the funds to the maximum extent possible, while also being able to have it grow for the benefit of future scholarship awardees,” Britton says.
After three decades of staying quiet about Rueb’s plans for giving a helping hand to the young people of Central Ohio, Columbus Foundation officials sound pleased to finally spread the good news. “We let donors call the shots on
how much we talk about this when they’re alive,” Britton says. “Now that she’s gone, and nobody can trouble her in knowing what she has, we’re thrilled to be able to share her name and her story.”
And what would Rueb herself think of all the hubbub? She would un-
It’s
all about the kids. ... I keep thinking now, ‘Betsy, you may not have had any of your own children, but now you’ve got, and will have, thousands over the years.’ Because that’s the truth.
—CONNIE BECKER ‘‘
doubtedly tell everyone to focus on the beneficiaries of her largesse.
“It’s all about the kids,” Becker says. “I keep thinking now, ‘Betsy, you may not have had any of your own children, but now you’ve got, and will have, thousands over the years.’ Because that’s the truth.” ◆
Betsy Rueb and husband Floyd Rueb
A GUIDE TO PHILANTHROPY
Kindness starts with each of us.
Acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and communities. The Center for HumanKindness is on a mission to strengthen our connections to one another and spread kindness throughout the community.
MATCHING STRENGTH TO NEED
There is so much to love in Central Ohio, so much to be proud of, and so much to celebrate again this year. We are a community on the move, with accolades galore coming in from press all around the world; we are hardly the best kept secret among U.S. cities anymore. Just one recent example of our growing recognition is that the publication Condé Nast Traveler named Columbus one of the 10 Best Big Cities in the U.S. this fall.
We are also an extraordinarily generous community. This is important, because for all of our forward movement in terms of economic development, many folks amongst us have challenges that are unchanged with our community’s ongoing growth, expanding
physical and mental health care continues to be a growing need, and we need a vibrant arts community as we evolve into the major and successful city we want to be and be known for being.
That is why we sponsor this special Giving section of Columbus Monthly each year. Our nonprofits need your help to fuel their contributions to the present and future of our community, and bringing visibility to their needs and their capacities for converting your contributed dollars into community improvements for all is just plain vital to our region’s success. Simply put, our nonprofits not only help, educate, inspire, and serve so many among us, they also are drivers of our economic
growth and social cohesion.
So, in this time of the year when we take stock of the year behind us, what you have to be thankful for and to share, and as we all strive to live lives of significance—not just success—we hope you consider supporting the organizations featured on the following pages. They are true partners in our community’s well-being and progress, and they match strength to need so that all have the opportunity to participate in the great and growing community we strive to be.
Doug Kridler, President and CEO The Columbus Foundation
Doug Kridler
Kindness Fund provides grants to help individuals and families in our region address a sudden financial hardship caused by an unforeseen event. Working with nearly 50 nonprofits, this program helps ensure that one setback doesn’t spiral into prolonged instability.
builds a bridge get back on Gifts of Kindness that helps people their feet.”
—Gifts of Kindness Nonprofit Partner
Join hundreds of others making a difference in our community by supporting this extraordinary kindness engine.
This holiday season, give a gift that supports central Ohio neighbors in overcoming an unexpected hardship through the Gifts of Kindness Fund.
Established in 2014 and fueled by the generosity of Columbus Foundation donors and kindness champions, the Gifts of Kindness Fund provides grants to help individuals and families in our region address a sudden financial hardship caused by an unforeseen event. Working with nearly 50 nonprofits, this program helps ensure that one setback doesn’t spiral into prolonged instability.
Join hundreds of others making a difference in our community by supporting this extraordinary kindness engine.
LEARN MORE
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Give us 15 minutes a week, and we will give you all the Ohio politics news you need to sound smart and impress your friends.
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A podcast about the Crew with reporter Brianna Mac Kay, columnist Michael Arace and photographer Kyle Robertson.
A KID AGAIN, CENTRAL OHIO
281 Cramer Creek Court
Dublin, OH 43017
614-697-4128
akidagain.org/centralohio
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $1.4 million
Number of employees: 7
Established: 1995
Locations: 6 nationwide, 1 local
@akacentraloh
SOURCES OF FUNDING
ABOUT US
When doctor visits, medical bills and treatments disrupt the joys of childhood, A Kid Again Adventures help kids regain those moments with their families.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Brianne McFarland
Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Josh Applebaum
Chair
Jacoby Boren
Alea Bradley
David Campbell
Vince Giacalone
C.J. Giannetto
Zeenia Kaul
Lisa Kelso
Dr. Katelyn Krivchenia
Brad Mullenix
Erika Prouty
Stacy Radabaugh
Leo Ruberto
Evan Spencer
Archie Williamson
Greg Yitsis
Our cost-free, carefree family outings called Adventures are held year round and enable 2,700 Central Ohio families to set aside their concerns and find joy in a community that shares a similar complex life journey. A Kid Again Adventures foster hope, reconnect family members and create lasting memories.
Families caring for a child with a life-threatening medical condition deal with more than uncertainty. They struggle with depression, social isolation, debt, work disruption, stress, and long periods of separation.
A Kid Again Adventures support families through opportunities to be together and with others on similar journeys. Families participate in as many events as they wish at venues such as entertainment centers, amusement parks, stadiums, museums and zoos.
OUR IMPACT
Studies show that anticipation of and participation in Adventures produce positive mental, physical and social outcomes.
A study conducted by the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that when families attend multiple A Kid Again Adventures, both parents and children report significantly higher emotional and social well-being, and they experience better health-related outcomes. Surveyed families reported:
• 92%: Less depression or sadness
• 90%: Distraction from the demands of treatment
• 57%: Improvement in health behaviors and choices
• 88%: Improvement in quality of life
• 55%: Improvement in health condition
• 82%: Stronger connection to families in similar situations
• 77%: Feel a tighter family bond
ALL THAT - TEENS HOPEFUL ABOUT TOMORROW
P.O. Box 27113
4117 E. Livingston Ave. Columbus, OH 43227
614-745-0007 all-that.org
ABOUT Annual revenue: $1,455,000
Number of employees: 20
Established: 2009
Number of locations: One
SOURCES OF FUNDING Grants: 95% Corporate gifts: 5%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Danella Hicks
Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Erika Little Board President
James Hollingshed Board Secretary
Danella Hicks
Founder & Executive Director
danellahicks@all-that.org
All THAT—Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow (All THAT) is a premier mentoring and enrichment program for underserved teens. We mentor youth in academic achievement, life skill develoment and career planning. We establish caring relationships with teens and enhance their ability to make good choices, obtain jobs that pay a living wage and realize their hopes, dreams and goals.
We envision our teens graduating from high school, obtaining successful careers, living healthy, productive lives and being hopeful about their future.
YOUR DONATION HELPS PROVIDE
• Academic assistance to struggling teens
• Virtual reality career exploration
• Social/Emotional Workshops
• Substance abuse and violence prevention
• Transportation into the community
• Daily meals and snacks
Make a donation
• Cooking classes and grocery store tours to help alleviate chronic and acute illnesses
• Access to shower, washer and dryer, and hygiene products
• Access to technology
• Free enrichment activities and clubs
• Daily access to caring adults
In 2020, we purchased the Shady Lane Presbyterian Church and established The ALL THAT Center of Excellence to create a welcoming, safe environment where teens can have access to academic assistance, exposure to careers that pay a living wage, develop the skills needed to succeed in the workforce and have exposure to enrichment opportunities that boost their life skills.
We offer stipends based on consistent attendance, participation and engagement to help teens become aware of the connection between engagement and earning a living wage.
Help students explore careers that pay a living wage!
Mentoring TeensFor Life!
Imagine a future where every teen in our community has the confidence and resources to succeed. For over 600 middle and high school teens, ages 13-19, in the 43227 and 43232 ZIP Codes, that future is becoming a reality through our life-changing mentoring program. Every day, we’re not just reaching these young people; we’re helping them unlock their potential and inspiring them to aim higher. With your support, we are ready to expand our impact and create a new, state-of-the-art teen center to ensure every teen in our program can access even more opportunities for growth.
For over fifteen years, our mentoring program has been more than just a safe place; it’s a hub for transformation, where teens gain essential academic, workforce, and life skills that empower them to break cycles of poverty and believe in their potential. Through tutoring, job training, and leadership development, we provide tools and mentorship that help teens set their sights on high school graduation and careers that pay a living wage. By funding our program, you’re investing in a stronger future for them and a safer, more prosperous future for our city.
Celebrating 15 years of empowering teens!
ALS UNITED OHIO
1170 Old Henderson Road, Suite 221
Columbus OH 43220
614-273-2572
ALSohio.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $2.2 million
Number of employees: 12
Established: 1983
Locations: 1
OUR GOALS
• To provide free local services that enhance quality of life for people and their families who are living with the devastation of ALS.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Marlin K. Seymour
President & CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Mark Stach Chair
Ryan Meadows
Vice Chair
Wendy Pingree
Treasurer
Lauren Barber
Paul Carey, Jr.
Ben Duckworth
Jay Eiben
Corey Messaros
Judy Schmitz
Jennifer Turnes
Beth Wilch @ALSUnitedOhio
• To partner with local hospital-based ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics for interprofessional care.
• To amplify the collective voice of the ALS community to foster urgency in the fight against ALS.
• To fight for public policy initiatives that will improve the lives of people living with ALS.
• To support research and discovery to find causes, treatments, and ultimately cures for ALS.
OUR HISTORY
ALS United Ohio was founded in 1983 to serve the unique needs of those living with ALS, their families, and their caregivers. We provide all programs and services free of charge, thanks to the generous contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations in the community. Donations, sponsorships, and grants are the organization’s sole source of revenue.
OUR SERVICES
ALS United Ohio’s experienced ALS team members are boots-on-theground helping people navigate their illness with independence, connection, comfort, peace of mind, and quality of life. Services include one-on-one case management by licensed professionals; phone and in-office consultations; onsite continuing education; collaboration with hospital-based ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics at OhioHealth, University
of Cincinnati and Premier Health; loans and purchases of durable medical equipment and supplies; loans of assistive technology devices; smart home technology, quality of life reimbursement grants; education and exchange groups; family and caregiver support; resources for children; bereavement support; caregiver appreciation; newsletters; a lending library; and referrals to additional resources.
OUR IMPACT
Last year we served 621 people with ALS, a 40% increase in the last five years. More than 1,100 pieces of durable medical equipment, supplies, and smart home items were loaned or given to people with ALS. More than $216,000 was provided in quality of life reimbursement grants. 22,000+ people received print or electronic newsletters. 436 patient visits were held at ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics. Our nurses and social workers are knowledgeable about the complexities of ALS care. They guide people with ALS through all aspects of their support and care, with personalized attention and continuity of care.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION,
CENTRAL OHIO
1650 Lake Shore Dr., Suite 350 Columbus OH 43204
614-848-6676 heart.org/ohio
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $4.6 million
Number of employees: 15
Established: 1924
Locations: 1 (local)
@AmericanHeartOhio
SOURCES OF FUNDING
OUR MISSION
To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
WHAT WE DO
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Nancy Tobbe
Executive Director
BOARD LEADERSHIP
Angelo Mazzocco
Chair
Dr. Joshua J. Joseph
President
Frank Willson
Leadership Development Chair
Devray Kirkland
Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Laura Gravelin
Immediate Past President
Bequests & Split Interests 8.9%
Other Public Support: 1.7%
Other Revenue: 16.3%
BOARD MEMBERS
Jenny Barnes
Donald Beckman
Tony Botos
Chris Boynton
Rob Cercek
Dr. Lamont Clay
Mark Conselyea
Ursula Cottone
Dr. Richard J. Gumina
Dr. Amrita Karve
Dr. Catherine Krawczeski
Linda Lynch
Hollis Mignogno
Dr. Buhari Moham-
med
Michael J. Moran
Dr. Subha Raman
Tim Schiffer
Tina Thornton
Dr. Aaron Trask
Steven Yaffe
Since our founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been cut in half, and yet there are so many lives to be saved. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by our volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health, share lifesaving resources and have been a leading source of health information for a century.
• We’re the nation’s leader in CPR education and training.
• We help people understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.
• We provide science-based treatment guidelines for health care professionals to help them give quality care to their patients.
• We educate policymakers and the public as we advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our communities.
OUR IMPACT
Since funding began in 1951, we have invested more than $5.7 billion in research nationally with more than $76 million in Central Ohio, and currently, nearly $19 million is invested in active, local research. We have funded many
lifesaving research advances such as the first artificial heart valve, cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart transplantation, CPR techniques and more.
Locally, the American Heart Association is impacting more than 3 million lives across 35 counties in Central and Southeast Ohio.
Through volunteer and donor support, just last year alone, we made an impact in the following ways:
• 25 hospitals received one or more Get with the Guidelines Awards for exceptional care,
• 17 hospitals received heart attack or stroke care certifications,
• 35,000 people in Central Ohio were trained in CPR,
• 146 schools participated in Association initiatives improving student health and well-being,
• 85 businesses participated in Association initiatives improving employee health and well-being,
• 6 community Blood Pressure Hubs that educate individuals on symptoms and risks of high blood pressure, offer access to measuring blood pressure and, if needed, connect individuals to medical care, and
• Worked with health care organizations covering 900,000 patients, to improve uncontrolled high blood pressure and/or diabetes.
I AM BOUNDLESS INC.
445 E. Dublin Granville Road
Worthington, OH 43085
iamboundless.org
Annual revenue: $150 million
Established: 1981
Locations: 6 in Ohio plus multiple residential sites
Trent Stechschulte Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel
Diane Beastrom Vice President of Transition
Jodi Bopp Vice President of Advancement & Communications
Nathan Henninger Vice President of Programs
Melanie Huffman Vice President of People & Culture
Rick Neighbarger Vice President of Analytics & Technology
BOARD LEADERSHIP
David Clark Board Chair
Lori Steiner Vice Chair
Kelly Perlman Treasurer
Jack Butch Secretary
I Am Boundless Inc. is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. We are the largest private service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and behavioral health challenges in Ohio. For more than 42 years, Boundless has provided people with the freedom and opportunity to live boundless lives where they live, work and play. Some of our services include residential support, vocational training, primary and dental care, autism services, counseling and multiple programs for adults. We proudly offer person-centered care that celebrates each individual and empowers them to become active participants in their communities.
HOW WE IMPACT THE COMMUNITY
Boundless is proud of our entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking vision. Boundless is a statewide organization serving more than 5,000 people each year in more than 60 Ohio counties. We have the state’s only primary health center for people with I/DD. Our Parent-Directed Program (PDP) is also unique in the state, enabling parents and family members of loved ones with I/DD the opportunity to direct care in a very personal way. Boundless is proud to be at the forefront of using technology to allow the people we serve greater independence.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
You can help by making a gift online or mailing it to our office. Or simply scan the QR code below. Together we can create boundless futures!
THE BUCKEYE RANCH
4653 E. Main St.
Whitehall, OH 43213
614-875-2371
buckeyeranch.org/2024GivingGuide
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $58.4 million
Number of employees: 570
Established: 1961
Locations: 6
SOURCES OF FUNDING @thebuckeyeranch
EXECUTIVE
LEADERSHIP
Vickie
Thompson-Sandy President & CEO
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP
Chay Rankin
Chair
Rick Mariotti
Vice Chair
Doug Muszynski
Treasurer
Jen Bowen
Secretary
Mark Howard
Immediate Past
Chair
Jay Larsen Director at Large
MISSION
To raise hope and provide healing for children, youth and families.
OUR GOALS
The Buckeye Ranch is a private, nonprofit provider that has been serving children and families in Ohio for over 60 years. Our goal as an organization is to continue to understand the lived experiences and evolving real-time needs of those we serve so that we can develop services and programs that set youth and families up for long-term success. Through this understanding, we can fill mental health support gaps, provide comprehensive support to enhance access to services, and ultimately dismantle barriers to care within our community.
SERVICES WE PROVIDE
matches donors with families receiving support from The Buckeye Ranch. To become a donor to the program, email hopefortheholidays@buckeyeranch.org with interest. You can also learn more about the program by visiting buckeyeranch.org/get-involved/hope-forthe-holidays/.
William Livisay Director at Large
Joe Gallo Honorary Board
Member
Trustees
Beau Arnason
Ron Carter
Alessandro Ciaffoncini
David Kristal
Andrew Lynch
Jessica McNamee
Joe Rezabek
Russell “Brian” Stump
Nathan West
Jill Wilder
Jax Zachariah
Mike Zampini
Each day, more than 2,350 youth are impacted by The Buckeye Ranch’s care, receiving services designed to help them become successful within their families, schools, and communities. A number of successful mental health services and programs across our four service areas - Child Welfare Services, Community-Based and Education Mental Health Services, Residential Treatment Services, and Integrated Care Services - are operated for youth and families across the state. In fiscal year 2023, The Buckeye Ranch served over 7,000 individuals via 21,000+ mental health prevention and education encounters through our services in the community.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT
• Monetary Donations: To support The Buckeye Ranch, visit BuckeyeRanch.org/2024GivingGuide
• In-Kind Donations: The Buckeye Ranch accepts a wide range of timely in-kind donations for the youth and families we serve in the community throughout the year. These needs change monthover-month based on real-time requests from those we serve, but you can find our updated list of critically needed items at www. buckeyeranch.org/get-involved/ in-kind-donations/
• Hope for the Holidays 2024: Our Hope for the Holidays program
• A Positive Note 2025: The Buckeye Ranch’s signature annual fundraiser, which celebrates the power that hope and healing have in the mental health journeys of children, youth, and families we serve! Our 4th annual A Positive Note 2025 celebration will happen on May 8, 2025 at Kemba LIVE! If you’re interested in supporting the event, please email Abby Maenle, Director of Development, at amaenle@buckeyeranch.org with interest. To keep an eye on out for the official 2025 date or to learn more about the event, visit buckeyeranch.org/get-involved/apositive-note/.
• Home Runs for Hometown Kids 2025: Each year, The Buckeye Ranch partners with the Columbus Clippers to raise funds to support and resources to hometown kids in our community. Donors pledge $1, $3 or $5 for every home run the Clippers hit this season, and at the end of the season, pledge amounts are multiplied by the total number of home runs hit by the team. Please reach out to Abby Maenle, Director of Development, at amaenle@buckeyeranch.org with interest. To learn more about the program, visit buckeyeranch. org/get-involved/home-runs-forhometown-kids/.
DIOCESAN EDUCATION CORPORATION
DBA EMMAUS ROAD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
197 E. Gay St. Columbus OH 43215
614-221-5829
emmausroadscholarship.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $3 million
Number of employees: 7
Established: 2021
WHO WE ARE
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Individual Gifts 99%
Business/Corporate Matching Gifts 1%
Established in December 2021, the Diocesan Education Corporation (dba Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund) is the state-certified scholarship granting organization (SGO) of the Diocese of Columbus formed to allow Ohio taxpayers to redirect their tax dollars to make a Catholic education affordable and accessible for all who desire it.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Fr. Michael Hartge President
John Mackessy Treasurer
Dr. Adam J. Dufault
Secretary
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP
Dr. Adam J. Dufault
Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Columbus
Seth Burkholder, CPA
Assistant Superintendent of Operations
Theresa Vivona Associate Director for Advancement
Mary Kettinger Associate Director for Government Affairs
Leigh Jahahn SGO Development Assistant
Fr. Edward Shikina Pastor, Sacred Hearts Church, Cardington and Marion Saint Mary Church
Cecelia Pitt Principal, St. Vincent de Paul School, Mt. Vernon
Karen Lasswell Finance Manager, The Notre Dame Schools, Portsmouth
Contributions to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund are used primarily as academic scholarships for K-12 students to attend Our Catholic Schools and prioritized for students in the greatest financial need. In return for a contribution, donors can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against their annual Ohio income tax liability, up to $750 for an individual or $1,500 if married filing jointly.
THE IMPACT
In the three years since its establishment, proceeds from the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund have provided scholarships for over 4,000 students with an average award of $1,500, while saving Ohio taxpayers nearly $6 million!
WHY GIVE
Every day, the children in Our Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Columbus are gifted with a unique opportunity to encounter Christ. In addition to exception-
al academics, they learn what it means to be a child of God - one with character, conviction, morals and compassion.
But this gift shouldn’t be limited just to those with financial means.
Making a high-quality, Catholic education accessible and affordable for all families who desire it is a philanthropic priority for our diocese. With your gift to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, you help open the doors and transform the education experience for nearly 18,000 students while receiving a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Ohio taxes.
Based on tax rates posted by the Ohio Department of Taxation, an individual with an annual income of $40,000 has an average state tax liability of $750. Consult a tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation.
Reduce your income taxes. . .
Did you know that you can redirect the Ohio income ...and invest in the future success of students in Ohio!
Scholarship Fund, the state of Ohio allows you to claim a dollar-for-dollar credit* against your state tax liability.
Giving - and getting - couldn’t be easier!
It’s true! When you give to the Emmaus Road taxes you already pay to create need-based scholarships for students to receive a faithbased education in the Diocese of Columbus?
income in the state of Ohio, you qualify for this credit.
Five Steps to Making An Impact
Visit www.emmausroadscholarship.org to make a secure gift or mail us a check!
Designate the school(s) of your choosing or choose the unrestricted fund that helps students in greatest financial need.
Save the official tax receipt mailed to youyou’ll need it come tax time!
Enter your donation on line 15 of the Ohio IT 1040 Schedule of Credits
Watch your Ohio tax liability melt away dollar-for-dollar and potentially increase your refund!
www.emmausroadscholarship.org
Ohio tax credit is up to $750 per person, or $1,500 if married filing jointly. Based on tax rates posted by the Ohio Department of Taxation, an individual with an annual income of $40,000 has an average state tax liability of $750. Consult a tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation. The Diocesan Education Corporation (dba Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund) is a certified scholarship granting organization (SGO) in the state of Ohio. Anyone can make a
To provide free prescription medicines, high-quality pharmacy services, sanctuary and hope to our patients –with a vision that all patients will have access to life-saving medications and a health partner to reach optimal health outcomes.
ABOUT
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
R. Taylor Reed
Executive Director
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP:
Rev. Cyndy Garn
President
Phil Moots
Vice President
Chamese Jarrett
Treasurer
Rev. Joelle
Henneman
Secretary
David P. Blom
Rev. Karen Cook
Rev. Angie Cox
Jerry Friedman
Jay Godfrey
Sarah Hudson-DiSalle
Charles F. McCluskey III
Kelli Nowinsky
Matt Sapko
Charleta B. Tavares
Sandy Witherspoon
We are more than just medicine! We serve people of all ages, race, gender identification or nationality, working to help improve each patient’s health status through no-cost medications and other patient-centered services. Many come to us in distress or crisis, unable to afford medications needed to treat and manage chronic health conditions.
Our average patient takes 8 different medications daily – and 50% of patients we serve are over age 65.
We focus strongly where access to healthcare is inequitable and unaffordable and health status is poor. We serve residents of Franklin County, uninsured/underinsured and living at or below 300% of federal poverty level. We also connect patients with other community services to help overcome additional inequities and social challenges they experience. We advocate for and educate patients that many chronic health conditions are also
best managed with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Each year, we dispense over 100,000 prescriptions to 1,600 patients for free at more than 9,000 clinical visits.
HOW TO:
Refer patients/donate unused medications: visit our Prescribers page for information on patient referrals, drug formulary and donating non-controlled medications.
Prescribers and new patients can learn about eligibility, the process and scheduling an initial appointment on our New Patient page online.
Support our work: Whether donating prescription medications or supporting us financially, your help makes a difference to people simply trying to improve their health outcomes. There are many ways to give, including:
• Online or check donations by mail
• Will bequests/planned giving
• Recurring gifts
• Donor advised funds/family foundations
• Workplace giving/employer match
• Commemorative/memorial giving
• Charitable IRA rollovers
Learn more online at charitablepharmacy.org/give.
CHILDREN’S HUNGER ALLIANCE
1105 Schrock Road #505
Columbus OH 43229
800-227-6446
childrenshungeralliance.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $14.4 million
Number of employees: 54
Established: 1970
Number of locations: 4
CHAOhio
@childrenshungeralliance
SOURCES OF FUNDING
USDA/ODE Reimbursements: 61%
Other government grants: 14%
Individual giving: 10%
Other income: 6%
Corporate & foundation giving: 5%
Events: 4%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Michelle M. Brown
President and Chief
Executive Officer
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Aaron Ockerman
Chair
Nikki Scarpitti
Vice Chair
Steve Rigdon
Treasurer
Frank Combs
Secretary
Masa Abdelhadi
Development Chair
WHO WE ARE
At Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA), we believe every child should have nutritious food to eat every day of the week, all year long. CHA is leading the charge to break the cycle of childhood hunger in Ohio, providing food and nutrition education directly to children wherever they are.
HOW WE HELP
CHA plays a unique role as the only comprehensive statewide organization focused solely on children’s food security and nutrition education. We adapt to need by getting nutritious food to kids wherever they are: in family childcare, childcare centers, schools, afterschool programs, over weekends and during the summer. With over 1,600 partner sites across 76 counties, we provide direct service, capacity-building, and education – all aimed at nourishing children’s futures.
ies, recreation centers, foodbanks, and other state and local organizations to increase food security and food education in our communities, because we all have a role to play. We know that hungry children don’t learn as quickly, get lower test scores, and have more behavioral issues. Our programs and partnerships target the problem directly so kids will be ready to learn and eventually earn.
Kelli Berner At-Large Member
Skyler Kalady At-Large Member
Janice InnisThompson At-Large Member
Steve Denny
Regional Development Board Chair
Jeff Markowski
Regional Development Board Chair
Tyler Smith
Regional Development Board Chair
OUR IMPACT
In 2024 alone, we provided over 8 million meals. Since 1970, CHA has worked in concert with schools, librar-
Ann Whisler
Regional Development Board Chair
Lisa Dodge
Emeritus Member
Sathu Alagappan
Irene Alvarez
Heather Brocker
Sheldon Clarke
Trish English
Abby Goolsby
Jennifer Jarrell
Lisa Kelso
Erica Krumlauf
Jeff Marx
Chris Potelicki
Brett Radulovich
Dawn Riedel
Chana Russell
John Singleton
Ryen Stewart
Bryan White
CHA’s decades of service have made us a highly effective partner and seasoned adviser for organizations working with children. In addition to providing meals, we help schools develop school breakfast programs; our nutrition education team builds children’s food knowledge and nurtures self-efficacy; and we lighten the administrative load for childcare centers and afterschool programs.
Currently, CHA supports about 40% of food-insecure children in Ohio, and we have a growing waitlist. There is more work to do, but this is one problem that is solvable with your support! Together, we can change things. No child should go hungry in Ohio.
COLUMBUS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
1390 Dublin Road
Columbus OH 43215
614-240-7410
cmafohio.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $4.2 million
Number of employees: 11
Established: 1958
Locations: 1
ColumbusMedicalAssociationFoundation
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Investment income: 92%
Rental income/ other: 5%
Contribution income: 2%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP:
Tracy L. Davidson CEO
Laurie Hawkins
CFO/COO
Paula Cosby Director
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP:
Marc Parnes, MD
President
Karen King, MD Vice President
James Nichols
Secretary/Treasurer
Luis Alcalde
Edward Bope, MD
Don Brown
Lamont Clay, MD
Jasmine Green
Kanny Grewal, MD
Jeffrey Hall, MD
Brett Kockentiet, MD
Barbara Lach
Jacob Liu, MD
Ahmad Mostafavifar, MD
Al Rodack
Mark Stamm
Lisa Wesolek
Teresa Long, MD
Dwight Scarborough, MD
Claire Wolfe, MD
The Columbus Medical Association (CMA) Foundation has a long history of investing in the health and wellbeing of our community. Since 1958, we have served as the CMA physician’s voice to spark innovative programs that solve health and wellness issues impacting Central Ohioans. The Foundation’s grant-making philosophy prioritizes initiatives that offer significant, constructive change in health systems. We are committed to improving the delivery and coordination of healthcare services to uninsured, underinsured, and vulnerable populations; saving and improving lives through the coordination of trauma and emergency health care resources across a regionalized system; and teaching physicians to improve the patient/provider relationship by combining wellness with leadership.
The Foundation is actively committed to developing the next generation of physicians and philanthropists through its two youth programs - Made for Medicine and the Youth Advisory Council (Council).
Made for Medicine is a programmatic solution designed to remedy the underrepresentation of African Americans in the medical field. It provides African American youth (grades 6-12) with interests in medical careers with critical
foundational knowledge, hands-on learning, simulations, mentoring and more through a three-phased, six-year program.
The Youth Advisory Council provides a platform for young people (ages 13-18) to engage in healthcare philanthropy and prepares them for futures in community leadership. The Council has granted more than $321,000 since 2001 to support programs that target healthcare and wellness issues affecting youth such as mental health needs, addiction/substance abuse disorder, reproductive health, bullying, self-esteem, equity and inclusion, and general basic needs.
For more information, go to columbusmedicalassociationfoundation.org.
THE BREATHING ASSOCIATION
741 E. Broad St.
Columbus OH 43205
614-457-4570
breathingassociation.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $6.9 million
Number of employees: 32
Established: 1906
Locations: One headquarters, 2 mobile services and 20 community sites
There are many great ways you can support us. Firstly, we have a robust volunteer program. We currently have a need for medical providers and other administrative support. Secondly, charity care for those in healthcare crisis is our mission. Fifty percent of our patients rely on free care and medications. In addition, our 2024 Capital Campaign is under way. We have reached 30 percent of our goal.
post-hospitalization care and improve workflow through our new design for all our patients and clients.
By expanding the healthcare center, including exam rooms and mobile diagnostic capabilities, we aim to enhance patient care and reduce hospital readmissions, ultimately lowering healthcare costs.
OUR IMPACT
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Lori Sontag
President & CEO
Dennis Smith
Chair
Julian Bell
Treasurer
Tiffany Olverson
Secretary
Ed Frantz
Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Samir Arora
Member-at-Large
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Paul Anderson
Ryan Binau
Jenny Carlson
Nelson Cary
Becca Dolbow
DeAnna Duvall
Dana Sadiq
Chris Slagle
Roy St. John
Anna Wuerth
The Breathing Association’s Tobacco Treatment Center of Ohio seeks capital funding of $1.5 million. The capital campaign will fund the purchase of an office totaling $1 million, building improvements of $300,000 and establishment of a building fund at $200,000.
These funds will accommodate the dynamic growth and address the tobacco and lung cancer epidemics in Ohio. Strategically located on East Broad Street, our new facility provides ample space to accommodate our rapid growth and better serve the community’s needs.
With an emphasis on accessibility, the relocation ensures that patients can easily access the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center for essential
Since its founding in 1906 by Carrie Nelson Black during the tuberculosis epidemic, The Breathing Association has been a cornerstone of charitable healthcare in Central Ohio that focuses on providing the best access to care possible.
With a legacy of providing free primary care healthcare services for the entire family and extensive programs in lung health, nicotine cessation and utility assistance, the organization remains committed to improving lives for the next 120 years and beyond.
In the past year, the organization has helped over 18,000 families and shown growth of 20 percent. Preparing for the future, we welcome the community to tour our new location.
COLUMBUS URBAN LEAGUE
788 Mt. Vernon Ave
Columbus OH 43203
614-257-6300
cul.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $15 million
Number of employees: 84
Established: 1918
Locations: 1
SOURCES OF FUNDING
TheColumbusUrbanLeague @CULempowering @columbusurbanleague Government
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP:
Stephanie Hightower President & CEO
Kesha Garrett Chief Operating Officer
Raj Govindaraj Chief Financial Officer
Charity Martin-King Vice President of Youth Leadership & Workforce Development
Tina Boulding Vice President of Advancement
Tonya Little
Associate Vice President of Adult Workforce Development
MISSION
Your Columbus Urban League is a trusted, community-driven organization. We empower Black and underrepresented groups through economic, educational, and social progress.
VISION
A fully inclusive economy where everyone is supported and can achieve their full potential and contribute to the greater good.
VALUES
We are a trusted Advocate that delivers innovative, transformational services with the highest integrity and respect for the people we serve. We are a relevant and effective provider for our families, communities, stakeholders, and partners.
4%
Andrea Wilkes Associate Vice President of Entrepreneurship Services
Lorenzo Brent Associate Vice President of Financial Empowerment Services
BOARD MEMBERSHIP:
Jim Negron Board Chair
Nichole Barnes Marshall Vice Chair
Stephanie Shaw Secretary
Hussein Awada Treasurer
Darren Shepard At Large
Giavonni Lucas
Beth W. Murphy
Brandon Nelson
Monica Oliverio
Melissa Blount-Garner
Tristan Hall
Mark Halpin
William Jefferson
Viren Patel
Melissa Stimac
DEAF SERVICES CENTER INC.
215 N. Front St., Suite 240
Columbus OH 43215
614-678-1701
dsc.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $2 million
Number of employees: 22
Established: 1991
Locations: 4
SOURCES OF FUNDING DeafServicesCenter
OUR STORY
In 1980, the state of Ohio established Community Centers for the Deaf (CCD) with funding provided by the Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC). The purpose was to provide advocacy for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, to coordinate Deaf community events, and to become a central location for providing information on deafness. With a large Deaf population in central Ohio due to the Columbus location of the Ohio School for the Deaf, there was a strong demand for services.
offices serving the northwest and southeast areas of the state, DSC is the largest provider of services for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind in Ohio.
OUR IMPACT
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Jonathan M. Davis
Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Cheryl Prusinski
Chair
Dawn Watts
Vice Chair
Art Roehrig
Adam Bernholtz
Priscilla Doudt
Vincent Sabino
Deaf Services Center began operations in 1991 to expand on programs provided as a CCD. Under the guidance of dedicated staff and a board of trustees, DSC established a strong foundation, becoming the leading provider of community-based services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in the state of Ohio.
OUR MISSION
Deaf Services Center’s mission is to empower the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind and to promote access to communication, services and events in the community. Deaf Services Center envisions a community where there are no communication barriers facing Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals.
HOW WE HELP
Deaf Services Center’s staff empowers those faced with language barriers by promoting access to communication. Our resources help those who have hearing loss or are non-English users to fully access the English language in communicating with others. Headquartered in central Ohio, with satellite
Deaf Services Center provides a wide array of services to ensure access to communication and gainful employment, empowering Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals and their families, as well as providing education, training, advocacy and youth development needs. As DSC is the leader in the provision of services focused on the needs of the Deaf, Hardof-Hearing and Deaf-Blind communities, their families and supporting agencies/ businesses, we are here to help.
Deaf Services Center provides the following services: community services, vocational services, social security benefits counseling, American Sign Language classes, early intervention, interpreting services, advocacy, case management and peer support, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) education and Deaf awareness presentations.
In addition, Deaf Services Center provides community events hosted several times a year in Columbus, Mansfield, Toledo and Chillicothe for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf-Blind to gather and have community support.
GOODWILL COLUMBUS
671 South High St. Suite 800 Columbus OH 43206
614-294-5181
Goodwillcolumbus.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $56 million
Number of employees: 1,100
Established: 1939
Number of locations: Our footprint includes 12 retail stores, seven attended donation centers, five job training locations, four adult day service sites and one art studio & galleryu across Franklin County in a commitment to serve people where they are.
@goodwillcolumbus
SOURCES OF FUNDING
MISSION STATEMENT
Transforming the lives of individuals through pathways to independence and the power of work.
VISION STATEMENT
All individuals are embraced as valued and dignified members of our community.
ABOUT
1%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Ryan Burgess President and CEO
Mark Koenig Chief Financial and Compliance Officer
Marlene Armstrong Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Jennifer Marshall Senior Vice President of Strategy and Mission Impact
Jennifer Jedinak Vice President of Retail
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Jennifer Yaross Chair (Quillity)
Ted Adams (Barnes & Thornburg LLP)
Goodwill Columbus is proud to be one of the region’s largest nonprofits, a top 100 employer, and a trusted source in Central Ohio for putting people to work. Throughout our diverse portfolio, we are passionate about creating access to first jobs and advancing all Central Ohioans to their “next best job.” We are committed to equipping 100,000
Erin Bender (Stonehenge Partners)
Andrea Darby (Ohio Health)
Kirk Dickerson (Columbus State Community College)
Jeff Girard (Designer Brands)
John Hall (CBRE)
Stephen Ifeduba
Megan Kilgore (City of Columbus)
Clara Kridler (Hologram)
George Leugers (Fifth Third Bank)
Jen Martin (Iodine)
Erik McDowell (Westfield)
Kari Palmer (KPMG)
Marissa Peirsol (BakerHostetler)
Marc Reitter (AEP Ohio)
Linda Roubinek (Grange Insurance)
individuals with the tools to advance economic mobility through the power of work by 2030. To do this, Goodwill Columbus will continue to create new jobs, transform communities through job training, career coaching, and vocational habilitation in order to empower individuals.
GET INVOLVED
• Make a gift
• Donate clothing, goods and furniture
• Shop our stores and our Goodwill Art Studio & Gallery
• Contract our custodial and security services
• Hire our job training graduates
• Volunteer with us
Goodwill Columbus empowers individuals as they change their lives and make a difference in their community through the power of work. Unlocking positive futures
Providing jobs
Offering free job training
Supporting sustainability
Empowering Individiuals
HEINZERLING COMMUNITY
1800 Heinzerling Drive
Columbus OH 43223
614-272-8888
heinzerling.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $39 million
Number of employees: 450
Established: 1959
Locations: 4
@HeinzerlingCommunity
SOURCES OF FUNDING
ABOUT US
Heinzerling Community provides 24hour care and residential services for individuals with severe or profound developmental disabilities. For more than 60 years, we have provided love and support to over 200 residents who live in Heinzerling Community homes.
MISSION
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Robert E. Heinzerling
Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Rick A. Wanner
Chair
Linda S. Heinzerling
Vice President
James P. Marrie
Secretary
Brendan Feheley
Karen Heinzerling
John E. Hollback, Jr.
Rob Koogler
Matthew Lehner
Adam Wilson
To provide a loving and nurturing environment that enriches the development, education and quality of life for individuals with severe or profound developmental disabilities. Heinzerling Community staff members work around the clock to nurture and develop each resident. This is accomplished through a personalized approach involving many supports, including physical and occupational therapy, communication and social skills, life skills, nursing, nutritional plans and sensory development for residents. These activities occur at Heinzerling Community and during community outings.
Heinzerling Community provides an important resource for families and is the only service provider in Central Ohio that focuses exclusively on individuals with severe or profound developmental disabilities. Many families seek us out to care for their loved one if they are unable to do so in their own home. Families maintain an active role in their family member’s life while Heinzerling Community provides the day to day care.
SUPPORT OPTIONS
Donate – Individual donations provide
our residents with adaptive equipment for therapy, daily living, personal care items, and opportunities to attend community outings. Donate at heinzerling.org/get-involved/donate.
Volunteer – We are currently looking for volunteer groups to spend time doing planned activities with our residents. This is a great opportunity for corporate teams, organizations, and school-age youth. We are also in need of volunteers to join and support our fundraising event committee.
Sponsorship opportunities – Support our events with a sponsorship for our annual auction gala, and our annual golf classic.
Make a planned gift – As we plan for the future, we have established the Heinzerling Legacy Society. Donors can make more significant, planned gifts that will have a lasting impact on current and future residents.
HOME FOR FAMILIES
727 E. Main St.
Columbus OH 43205
614-461-9247
homeforfamilies.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $7.9 million
Employees: 66
Established: 1986
Locations: 1
homeforfamiliescbus
@homeforfamiliescbus
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Government Grants: 90% Private Funding: 10%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Beth Fetzer-Rice
President & CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Stephanie Couhig
President
Shawn Dorsey
Treasurer
Amit Patel
Secretary
Dean Bruno
Natalie Cernansky
Glen Dugger
Tammara Flagler
Cassidy Horton
Devin Hughes
Holley King
Michelle McLaughlin
Andrea Roper
Adam Slinger
Anita Smith
Chuck Wentzel
WHAT WE DO
Home for Families (HFF) is dedicated to empowering families and youth facing housing crises by resolving immediate needs, providing essential resources and fostering long-term stability. Established nearly 40 years ago by community members committed to preventing even a single night of homelessness for children, HFF has grown to become Franklin County’s largest non-shelter provider of family housing. Each year, HFF supports over 1,200 families and youths through various programs aimed at achieving lasting stability and improving long-term self-sufficiency.
HOW WE DO IT
At Home for Families, we are experts at working behind the scenes to bridge housing gaps. Our family-centered philosophy incorporates a holistic, Housing-First approach using rapid re-housing strategies that provide targeted assistance and intensive case management to transition clients from emergency shelters to permanent homes. Our organization also promotes financial stability through direct support, financial education, employment and training services, and referrals to community resources. HFF educational programs, including afterschool, summer, and kindergarten readiness (SPARK), ensure that low-income children can succeed academically despite housing challenges, helping to break the cycle of poverty.
WHO WE SERVE
Operating a comprehensive continuum of care, HFF collaborates with a network of community partners and governmental bodies to address clients’ holistic needs. We specifically focus on young families and transitional-age youth (18-24) who face acute housing instability (crisis), exacerbated by issues such as limited affordable housing options, low wages, record eviction rates, and systemic racism. While only 23% of the population in Franklin County is comprised of individuals identifying as Black or African American, this group makes up over 75% of HFF’s client base. Over 90% of these clients are single mothers under 24, many with no income and multiple evictions. These factors contribute to extended shelter stays and increased risk of long-term homelessness, with current stays averaging over 90 days, significantly longer than historical norms.
HOMEPORT
3443 Agler Road
Columbus OH 43219
614-221-8889
homeportohio.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $8.4 million
Number of employees: 34
Established: 1987
HomeportOH
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Development Fees: 40%
Contributions & Pledges: 22%
Rental & Other: 21%
Government Grants: 17%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Leah F. Evans
President & CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Robyn Judge Chair
Larry Price
Secretary
Michael Purcell
Treasurer
Sam Adams
Tasha Booker
Dawn Carpenter
Robert “Bo” Chilton
Scott Failor
Matthew Keating
Emmett M. Kelly
Stephanie Meredith
Cindy Millison
Matthew Orr
Denise Robinson
Jose Rodriguez
John Rothschild
Angie Rybalt
Cheryl L. Snyder
Brent Swander
Jill Tangeman
Charleta B. Tavares
Kristopher “Kip” Wahlers
Jim Weiler
NON-VOTING BOARD MEMBERS
Chris L. Hune (Past Chair)
OUR SERVICES
Homeport is the leading non-profit developer of affordable housing in Central Ohio. Having served the area since 1987, Homeport owns 3,085 affordable rental apartments and homes in 47 communities. Our 6,529 residents, families and seniors, can access a broad range of services, from after school programming to emergency assistance for rent and utilities. Homeport partnerships also link our residents to food, furniture, employment assistance, and medical and mental health services. Homeport is also the largest provider of homebuyer education, downpayment assistance and budget and credit counseling for Central Ohio.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
BUILD SECURITY
Expand household equity for Black people, people of color, and low- and moderate-income buyers through forsale home development and homebuyer services.
CREATE OPPORTUNITY
Generate affordable housing options for Central Ohio residents by growing Homeport’s pipeline aggressively over the next three years.
WITH DIGNITY
Maintain housing stability through tar-
geted resident services and community engagement that serves and supports all our residents.
OUR IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Real estate development and resident services are simply the tools we use to provide our clients with the dignity, security, and opportunity they deserve. The team at Homeport is truly in the “people business.” The true beneficiaries of our work are the 6,529 individuals we have the honor of serving every day.
HOUSE OF HOPE FOR RECOVERY
825 Dennison Ave.
Columbus OH 43215
614-291-4691
hofhope.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $3 million
Number of employees: 42
Established: 1959
Locations: 3
Houseofhope1959
SOURCES OF FUNDING
House of Hope for Recovery is one of Franklin County’s longest-serving providers of comprehensive, high-quality treatment and recovery services for individuals with substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges.
Since 1959, we have played a vital role in the local continuum of care, including operating the county’s oldest six-month in-patient treatment program for men. Over the years, we have expanded our services to meet the growing needs of the community. Our continuum of care now includes intensive outpatient treatment for men and women, shortterm in-patient treatment for men, and high-quality recovery housing.
PASSION
We are deeply committed to advocating for and serving the recovery community.
EMPATHY
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Carolyn Ireland
CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Roger Wilson
President
Michael Krause
Vice President
Marci Ryan
Secretary
W.C. Benton
Treasurer
Robert Cochran
Dr. Brad Lander
Doyle Rausch
Judge Ed Sargus
Elizabeth Gleason
Judge Gina Russo
Jim Vutech
Steve McFarland
Our in-patient programs go beyond traditional treatment, offering financial literacy education in both group settings and one-on-one coaching. Clients also receive supported employment services and wraparound care, which help them transition into their communities as engaged and contributing citizens, while sustaining their recovery.
OUR MISSION
To provide a home for treatment and a community for recovery.
OUR VISION
Individuals thriving in recovery.
OUR CORE VALUES OPTIMISM
We approach our work with hope and a belief in the potential of the human spirit.
We understand the challenges of addiction and sobriety, sharing in the journey through lived experience.
DIVERSITY
We actively seek out and welcome everyone, ensuring an inclusive culture of acceptance.
INTEGRITY
We operate with honesty and uphold a high standard of ethical practice.
OUR HISTORY
House of Hope began in the 1950s when George Conner, a gas station owner in Victorian Village, opened his doors to men struggling with alcoholism, offering them a place to sleep and encouraging them to get sober. What started as one man’s mission to make a difference has grown into an organization that now helps thousands.
ICE MENTORS INC.
460 E. Main St.
Columbus OH 43215
614-706-4215
icementors.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $659,000
Number of employees: 7
Established: 2012
@Erynpinkgirlempowerment and @ice_mentors
SOURCES OF FUNDING
ICE Mentors (Image Character Etiquette) is a mentorship and empowerment organization dedicated to equipping youth with practical life lessons and positive role models. Established in 2011, ICE Mentors focuses on guiding youth, especially youth of color, to lead purposeful, passionate and successful lives.
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
We bring our mission into classrooms, offering opportunities to develop essential life skills alongside academic learning, ensuring students are prepared for both personal and academic success.
EPIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Eryn Hathaway
Executive Director
Sherome Hathaway
Chief Operating Officer
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Josh Watters
Columbus Public Health
Mary Howard
Retired President, Ohio State University East Medical Center
Brandon Curry
IMPACT Community Action and United States Army Reserve
Daphne McKinnie
Huntington National Bank
James Prysock
Bath and Body Works
Under the ICE Mentors umbrella, the Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment (named in tribute to a fictional character) and Men of ICE Boy Empowerment programs are gender-specific initiatives designed to meet the unique needs of middle school girls and boys of color. These programs uplift, empower, and inspire the next generation of leaders by instilling confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.
At the high school level, both boys and girls unite in the EPIC (Eryn PiNK and ICE) Program, which offers a collaborative space for teens to grow as young professionals and leaders. Through career exploration, leadership development, and academic support, EPIC equips students with the tools they need for success in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Our programs are dedicated to cultivating both leadership and workforce development among our youth, ensuring they are prepared for success in all aspects of life. Our programs include:
Our Leadership Academy offers three immersive, age- and gender-specific programs where youth gain the tools and knowledge to become effective leaders. Through workshops, real-world projects, and leadership training, students are empowered to lead in school, communities, and future careers.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
In partnership with FCDJFS, our Mentorship Programs connect students with mentors who offer guidance and support. This program focuses on personal growth and self-improvement, helping youth navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
By making a monetary donation, you directly support the development of future leaders. Your contribution provides students with tools, resources, and experiences that help them succeed in school, careers, and life. Together, we can shape a brighter future for these young leaders.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS INC. (IFI) COLUMBUS
1520 Old Henderson #200
Columbus OH 43220
614-294-2434
columbus.ifipartners.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $394,000
Number of employees:
National organization: 117
Columbus location: 24
Established: 1979
Locations: 34
SOURCES OF FUNDING
WHY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Ryan Finke
CEO
Rich Mendola Global Ambassador
Scott Holahan
Operations Director
Gloria Kelios National Field Director
Jason Pinschenat Director of National Ministries
COLUMBUS LEADERSHIP TEAM
Phil Foell
Columbus Area Director
Leila Gardner
Assistant Director of Mission Support
Russ Sermon
Interim OSU Campus
Ministry Director
Individuals/ families
72%
Churches 17%
Corporate 11%
Karlos Smith Communications Manager
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Rick Negley Board Chair
Michael Sanders, CPA Treasurer
Laura Wynia Secretary
Michael Bouchard
CJ Deas
Alan C. DeVries
Mai Duff
Franklin Foulger
Karl Fox
Ryan Finke (non-voting member)
Ed Rule
Hong Frances Teng
During each academic year, over 6,000 international students come to study in Central Ohio from around the world. Most are studying to become future world leaders in science, business, and government when they return home. However, because they lack a solid support network, international students often struggle with culture shock, stress and loneliness.
WHAT WE DO
International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. In Columbus, we work strategically to connect every international student in Central Ohio with a Christian friend who can help.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can make a world of difference in the the lives of future leaders by giving and volunteering with IFI Columbus. Visit columbus.ifipartners.org to learn more about how you can get involved in changing the world right from your local community.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER –ARTHUR G. JAMES CANCER HOSPITAL AND RICHARD J. SOLOVE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (OSUCCC – JAMES)
460 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus OH 43210
800-293-5066
cancer.osu.edu
ABOUT
Number of employees: 6,550 full-time equivalents, with more than 300 researchers and 200 specialized oncologists
Established: 1976
Locations: 20
@OSUCCCJames
@OSUCCC_James
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Foundation Gifts: 54.92%
Individual Gifts: 23.56%
Corporations: 11.10%
Other Organizations: 10.42%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS Director, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
David E. Cohn, MD, MBA
Interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
JAMES FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Helena Anderson
Josh Barkan
Jeri Block
Kenton R. Bowen
Michael H. Carpenter
William H. Carter
SCIENCE LEADING TO HOPE
Beginning in the summer of 2021, Guy Fisher felt sharp pain that started in his feet and then moved up his legs. Off and on, he felt like he was being stabbed in the foot, ankle or leg. He grew tired and weak and lost a lot of weight.
So, he chose The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and Ashley E Rosko, MD. After tests, Fisher, who was 55 at the time, was diagnosed first with early‐stage multiple myeloma, then a few months later with AL amyloidosis. Both are rare diseases.
“I was mad at the world,” Fisher says.
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. When cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow, they crowd out the healthy cells and weaken bones. Sometimes people with multiple myeloma develop AL amyloidosis.
AL amyloidosis occurs when plasma cells in bone marrow make abnormal proteins that form twisted clumps in organs and tissues, which can keep them from working properly. Those abnormal proteins gathered in Fisher’s heart.
Though there are no cures for either rare disease at this time, both can be treated to slow their progress and ease symptoms.
David E. Cohn, MD, MBA
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Dale Darnell
Tammy Dosch
Ron Ford
Steven G. Gabbe, MD
Libby Germain
Sarah Benson Hatcher
Cindy Hilsheimer
Lisa A. Hinson
Peter Z. Horvath
Irene J. Levine
G. Scott McComb
Jimmy Merkel
Cameron Mitchell
Diane Nye
Marnette Perry
Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, FACS
Rich Porter
Mark Puskarich
Luciana Ramsey
Charles Ruma
Mark Ryan
Amy Shepherd
Julie Sloat
Judith E. Tuckerman
Doug Ulman
Robert C. White, Jr.
Alec Wightman
Jay Worly
Michelle Yeager-Thornton
EMERITUS MEMBERS
William B. Farrar, MD
Cheryl Krueger
Jane T. McCoy
James V. Pickett
David E. Schuller, MD
Soon after his own diagnoses, Fisher joined a clinical drug trial at the OSUCCC – James. The study is testing how well a medication called CAEL-101 can stop AL amyloidosis in patients also taking standard medications for the disease. CAEL-101 is a type of monoclonal antibody, a drug that’s believed to be able to bind to the proteins that target and weaken organs.
Like everyone else in the study, Fisher entered it not knowing if he would be among the two-thirds of the group who’d get CAEL-101 or the one-third who wouldn’t – the control group.
Still, Fisher didn’t hesitate to join the trial.
“Either way it’s a win,” he says. “I’m doing this for science. This will give more information for the next person who has the disease.”
He’s in a lot more hopeful place than he was in the overwhelming days after he was diagnosed and reviewing the results of a series of blood tests and MRIs. When his doctor mentioned the study for AL amyloidosis, he was relieved to know something could be done.
Since taking part in the study, Fisher has noticed he’s far less fatigued than he used to be.
“I’m regaining energy and finding enjoyment in life once again,” he says.
To help more patients like Guy and support leading-edge research that translates to highly targeted patient care, consider making a gift to the Cancer Strategic Support Fund at: go.osu.edu/supportthejames.
The choice for your cancer care is clear.
At The James, you’re choosing the experts who understand there is no such thing as routine cancer. Where your care is delivered by a highly specialized, compassionate team dedicated to studying and treating just one type of cancer — yours. And where more than 1,700 scientists are working on new treatments — and new hope — for every form of cancer. All at the region’s only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute.
#ChooseTheJames cancer.osu.edu/ChooseTheJames
The James is proud to be nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 26 years.
Guy, multiple myeloma survivor
one open door can open doors across a community.
Our most important work happens outside the four walls of our bank. KeyBank gets involved, supporting people who make a difference and working with community-focused organizations through investments, philanthropy, and volunteering. We believe that together we can keep our communities full of hope, compassion, and opportunity, one open door at a time.
For more information contact 614-365-3358.
Lara DeLeone KeyBank Central Ohio Market President
LIFECARE ALLIANCE
1699 W. Mound St.
Columbus OH 43223
614-278-3130
lifecarealliance.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $28 million
Number of employees: 250
Established: 1898
Locations: 3
SOURCES OF FUNDING
WHO WE ARE
For 126 years, LifeCare Alliance has met the community’s changing medical and nutritional needs. We are there for people facing challenges that stem from medical conditions, disabilities, or aging in place. Sustained by our Alliance of donors and volunteers, we put advocacy into action, meeting people where they are to make a tangible impact.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Charles Gehring President & CEO
BOARD
LEADERSHIP
Michael R. Sayre Board Chair
Shannon Skaggs Vice Chair
Karen Cookston, CRPC Secretary
T. Earl LeVere, JD Treasurer
Thomas P. Skoog
Assistant Treasurer
Erin A. Kelley
Shannon
Immediate Past Chair
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP
Philip B. Bartlett
Todd Beekman
The Honorable
Kimberly J. Brown
Hugh C. Cathey
J. Robert Cercek
Timothy J. Cotter, MLHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, MPM
Todd Davis
Mindy L. Drummond
Bryan Ghiloni, MD
Rev. Msgr. Joseph M. Hendricks
Diane Herman
Kent C. Hess
Tim Kerns
Joëlle Khouzam, JD
Terri Lewandowski
Jay R. Meglich, CPA
William Edward Mojica
Paul A. Naumoff, JD
Steve A. Niswonger
Suzanne Perry
Brian Poling
Denise M. Robinson
Donna M. Ruscitti, Esq.
John Stacy
David C. Tiggett
Bobbie Jo Trittschuh
Tammy Weis, RN, BA
Thomas H. Welch
Timothy O. Wiechers, JD
We restore our clients’ sense of stability and self-reliance through nutrition, health, and support services. These include home delivered meals, free or low-cost cancer screenings, diabetes education, falls prevention, and safety services, senior pet care, durable medical equipment, and more.
JOIN THE ALLIANCE
Join the Alliance of donors and volunteers who help sustain our mission. It’s easy to get involved. Choose one (or more) of our opportunities:
• Adopt-a-Route: Adopt a regular Meals-on-Wheels route and build employee morale. Over lunch, associates deliver meals to seniors close to their offices.
• In-Kind Donations: Donate durable medical equipment, personal hygiene supplies, pet food, or other items.
• Volunteer Where You Are: We come to you! We’ll set up volunteer stations such as bagging pet food, prepping kitchen supplies, and creating holiday gift bags for clients— perfect for team bonding.
• Volunteer In Other Ways: Work in our kitchen, walk a client’s dog, do a grocery run, serve meals in our senior dining center, and more!
• Social Enterprise: LifeCare Alliance’s social enterprises bridge funding gaps. When you choose L.A. Catering, you ensure hot meals for local seniors. When you engage us for corporate wellness programming, flu shot clinics, travel vaccines, or H.R. background checks, a teen with diabetes gets to go to camp or an uninsured woman receives cancer screenings.
• Attend Big Wheels: Join us on April 26,2025, at Central Ohio’s premier charitable gala to raise a glass, raise a paddle, and raise funds for LifeCare Alliance programs.
• Donate: Visit LifeCareAlliance.org/ donate to support nearly 25,000 individuals who receive our services each year.
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LOWER LIGHTS HEALTH
1160 W. Broad St.
Columbus OH 43222
614-274-1455
llchc.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $19,619,000
Number of employees: 180
Established: 2002
Number of locations: 7
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Lower Lights Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) committed to delivering
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Tracy Cloud CEO
Kevin Fleck CFO
Lynette Palmer Chief Quality Officer
Sharmaine Haughton Chief Workforce Officer
Anton Johnson COO
Stephanie Lauden Chief Medical Officer
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Brooke Jackson, JD Board Chair
Thomas Slemmer Board Vice Chair
Paul McMillin Board Secretary
Andy Dorr
Tyneisha Harden
Andrea Magana Lewis
Steffan J. Moody
Soledad Nilo
Dannielle Schroeder
Tracy Whalen-Payne
Pastor Chuck Wilson
high-quality, affordable health care services to every patient.
orthland N
MARYHAVEN
1791 Alum Creek Drive
Columbus OH 43207
614-445-8131
maryhaven.com
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $38 million
Number of employees: 352
Established: 1953
Locations: 7
SOURCES OF FUNDING
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Oyauma Garrison
President and CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Abby Morrison
Chair
Mark Gaetano
Vice Chair
Shellee Simmons-Taylor
Secretary
Ashley Matthews
Treasurer
Kevin Brady
Dr. Steven Delaveris
Amy Heaton
Kayne Kirby
Sheela Kunduru
Madeline McIntyre
Dr. Erin McKnight
Charles Schneider
Serina Shores
Michael Stovall
Jake Upper
Maryhaven is Central Ohio’s most comprehensive substance use disorder health provider, specializing in the treatment of addiction and mental health disorders. Serving over 15,000 clients annually, Maryhaven offers a range of services, including detoxification, shortand long-term residential treatment, and outpatient programs. Maryhaven works
to help individuals overcome addiction and mental health challenges through evidence-based care, peer support, and long-term recovery planning. Maryhaven plays a crucial role in the community, providing essential services that empower individuals to rebuild their lives and foster healthier futures.
MID-OHIO FOOD COLLECTIVE
3960 Brookham Dr. Grove City OH 43123
614-277-FOOD (3663) mofc.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $121.8 million
Employees: 181
Established: 1980
Locations: 7
SOURCES OF FUNDING mofcollective @midohiofoodcollective
4% Corp & Foundation Gifts 6% Government Funding 6% Operation Feed Campaign 2%
Other 1%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Matt Habash President/CEO
Nick Davis Chief Innovation Officer
Arvind Kohli Chief Financial Officer
Tiffany Bryant Chief People and Legal Officer
Rob Camp SVP Operations/Distribution
M. Darlene Carson DEI Administrator
Adam Dabilis SVP Brand
MISSION
To end hunger one nourishing meal at a time while co-creating communities where everyone thrives.
• Ensure Our Success through a high-performance culture, transparency, and responsible resource stewardship, aiming to broaden our reach and impact.
• Lead in Ending Hunger by elevating customer voices, reshaping poverty narratives, and leveraging our assets to spearhead the anti-hunger fight, driving systemic change.
• Deliver Exceptional Customer Value by continuously improving, harnessing customer insights, and optimizing services to not only provide nutritious meals but also empower our customers to thrive.
OUR HISTORY
Mid-Ohio Food Collective was established in 1980 with a mission to end hunger within our communities. Through the years, we’ve grown to become the largest hunger-relief organization in central and eastern Ohio, now partnering with over 600 local charities
Brad Draper SVP Operations/Agencies
Mike Hochron SVP Communications
Mike Luke SVP Operations
BOARD MEMBERSHIP Eric Joyner Chair
Devin Fuhrman Vice Chair
Brendan Healy Secretary/Treasurer
Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta Immediate past chair
across 20 counties to feed more than half a million hungry Ohioans every year.
OUR SERVICES
We offer a variety of services including distributing nutritious food through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, providing meals through Mid-Ohio Kitchen, running free food markets via Mid-Ohio Markets, advancing Food as Health initiatives through Mid-Ohio Farmacy, and educating through our innovative “smart farms” with Mid-Ohio Farm.
OUR IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Our services significantly address food insecurity in our region, providing enough food for over 190,000 meals per day. We create grocery-store-like shopping experiences, deliver innovative solutions to access healthy food, provide educational farming opportunities, contribute to healthier and hunger-free communities.
OUR UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
Rev. Virginia Lohmann Bauman
Carol Bradford, MD, FACS
Michael P. Browning
Mark A. Bruce
Donald Dennis
Alex Dinovo
Liliana Esposito
Caitlin Graham
Amy Gilmore
Rod Houpe
Priyam Khan
Tammy McConnaughey
Mike McCoy
Tauana McDonald
Christine Murry
Lacey Picazo
Damon Porter
Brian Sherrick
Pastor Michael Young
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION DAY | Dec. 11, 2024 | Annual Day to have all gifts doubled during live telethon with NBC4. mofc.org/double
OPERATION FEED | March-June
A campaign to increase employee engagement in ending hunger. https://mofc.org/opfeed/
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT US
Volunteers can engage in food sorting and packing, assist at Mid-Ohio Markets, work at our Mid-Ohio Farm and gardens, prepare meals at Kids Café or Mid-Ohio Kitchen at Reeb, and host food drives. Our work requires more than 1,000 volunteers each week to meet the community’s needs. mofc.org/volunteer
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REBUILDING TOGETHER CENTRAL
OHIO DBA MODCON LIVING
3840 E Fifth Ave. Columbus OH 43219
614-258-6392
modconliving.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $1.5 million
Number of employees: 4
Established: 1991
@modconlivingohio
SOURCES OF FUNDING
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Denise M. Nembhard
Interim Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Brett Greenwell Chair
Marcus Miller Secretary
Lolita Augenstein
Tom Bartlett
Tara Davis
Quiana Few
James Peters
Lawrence Walden
Nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining homes and neighborhoods by providing reliable, affordable home repairs and modification services. We believe that everyone should have access to resources to live in a safe and healthy home.
Through the passion and generosity of our donors,
we can change the world.
Develop lifelong leaders to make a positive difference
Cultivate curiosity and advance knowledge to shape a brighter tomorrow
Nurture community wellbeing to improve lives and build better futures
Support your passion today.
OHIO SUICIDE PREVENTION FOUNDATION
175 S. Third St., Suite 700
Columbus OH 43215
614-429-1528
ohiospf.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $7.6 million
Number of employees: 12
Established: 2005
Number of locations: 1
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Suicide affects everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation aims to reduce the stigma of suicide, promote evidence-based prevention strategies, and raise awareness about the connection between suicide, mental illness, substance use disorders and other contributing factors.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Tony Coder
Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Dave Rife
Chair
Jason Strine
Vice Chair
Jeffrey Heck
Treasurer
Jessica Schmitt-Hartman
Secretary
Molly Breidenbach
John Coler
Chris Cottrill
John Davidson
Jessica Faris
Chris Grant
Nora O’Donnell
Stephanie Stitt
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation has community-based programs and best-practice resources specifically designed to improve mental health across the state. Thanks to a combination of education, training and support, we’re helping all of Ohio’s communities reduce the risk of suicide and lessen its effects on family, friends and neighbors.
AMONG THE OHIOANS WE IMPACT
• Veterans and first responders: In 2021, we mourned the loss of 242 Ohio veterans to suicide. We are actively working with community partners to educate, advocate, and connect them with essential resources to support their mental health needs.
• Youth: Suicide ranks as the second most common cause of death among individuals aged 10-19. We are at the forefront of implementing suicide prevention programs in schools and communities through-
out Ohio, with a particular focus on two key initiatives for young people: “Sources of Strength” and “Be Present Ohio.” These programs are central to our strategy, aiming to empower youth with the tools and support they need to navigate life’s challenges.
• Black and African American Ohioans: Ohioans of color have seen growing rates of suicide deaths over the last decade, with Black men and women with the largest rate increase. The Life is Better with You Here campaign creates spaces for Black individuals to unite and find support.
We are constantly broadening our range of programs and resources to develop a comprehensive support system for individuals facing mental health challenges and other issues that could potentially lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.
OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY
1 S. Grove St. Westerville OH 43081
otterbein.edu/giving
Contact Kathleen Bonte, 614-823-1305
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $70.6 million
Number of employees: 580
Established: 1847
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
John Comerford, Ph.D. President
Erin Bender
Executive Director of The Point and Corporate Partnerships
Jefferson Blackburn-Smith
Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Kirk Carlson Vice President for Enrollment Management
Frank Dobson, Ph.D. Chief Diversity Officer
Bill Fox, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Affairs
Jeffrey Nutter
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Business Affairs
Wendy Sherman Heckler, Ph.D. Provost and Senior Vice President
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Peter R. Bible ’80
Mechelle Buys du Plessis Secretary
John Comerford, Ph.D. President
Talisa Dixon, Ph.D.
Rev. John Edgar
David W. Fisher ‘75
James Francis ‘71
Daniel Gifford ‘88
Julianna Grubich ‘26 Student Trustee
Jonathan Hargis ‘79
William Edward Harrell, Jr. ‘94 Chair
Theresa Harris Vice Chair
Sonya Higginbotham ‘98
Alumni Trustee
Lisa Hinson ‘17
Michael Hudoba, Ph.D. Faculty Trustee
Gregory Jordan
Christopher Kaiser ‘77
Susan Millsap, Ph.D. Faculty Trustee
Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil ‘71
Jeffrey Nutter CFO/Vice President for Business Affairs
Melinda Phinney ‘85, M.D.
James Shilling ‘77, Ph.D.
Brant O. Smith ‘95
Karin Yaffe Stump ‘80
Mahad Yusuf ‘26, Student Trustee
Since its beginning, Otterbein has been committed to educating students that others deemed undeserving of such a right. Otterbein knows that creating diverse learning environments impacts the outcomes of all students. We are committed to serving low-income, first-generation, and today’s underserved students, which include new Americans, students from underfunded urban and rural school districts, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and students of color. Otterbein recognizes the value and potential of every student. Being a College of Opportunity means being committed to the idea that all Otterbein students have the opportunity to grow.
Otterbein believes that an education is not something you receive — it is something you experience. Otterbein’s innovative Integrative Studies approach gives students the opportunity to see the interrelatedness of issues facing the world while learning how their knowledge connects to others’ expertise so they can work together to define, address, and solve complex issues. READY, Otterbein’s career and professional preparation program, is mapped over a student’s four years to give them the time and opportunity — with guidance from staff mentors and faculty — to assess their own needs and determine which immersive experiences will be the most meaningful to
their goals and aspirations, while also acquiring confidence and other critical professional life skills.
Finally, “setting the pace for higher education” means reviving the fearless leadership our founders demonstrated in 1847 when they championed a place that would make education available to all genders and races. Otterbein has long understood that education is the great equalizer. An educated, engaged citizenry is the promise that advances democracy. Otterbein believes that colleges and universities have a moral responsibility to remember their purpose and the good they were intended to serve for all. Collaboration — not competition — is the only way we’ll be able to address the problems facing our world.
James E. Prysock III ’09, MBA’19 Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for Bath & Body Works.
The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, John Lindberg, President Transformational donor to the state-of-the-art Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science and champion of the Austin E. Knowlton Scholarship Recognizing Excellence, Success, and Generosity.
Amanda Dakermanji ’14 Netflix Senior Researcher, Games Product, and former senior researcher for The New York Times Wordle and Spelling Bee apps.
Dee Hoty ’74
Decorated artist, Broadway theatre luminary, and threetime Tony Award nominee.
Learn more www.otterbein.edu A smarter way to learn since 1847. We celebrate the power of giving to change lives.
Several of the 2024 Otterbein Award Winners.
THE P.E.E.R. CENTER
205 N. Hamilton Road Columbus OH 43213
614-453-4830
thepeercenter.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $1.8 million
Number of employees: 34
Established: 2007
Number of locations: 2
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Fundraising/ Other 5% thePEERcenter
ADAMH Block Grant 85%
OhioMHAS 10%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Juliet Dorris-Williams Executive Director
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Jennifer Martinez President
Tracy Roediger Vice President
Priscilla Woodson Treasurer/Secretary
John Dawson
Roxann Payne
Peter Van Allsburg
Section header
The P.E.E.R. Center is a nonprofit drop-in wellness, recovery and support center for people age 18 and over living with mental health, addictions, including substance misuse, and trauma concerns. Our mission is to provide a safe place for persons to receive respect, encouragement and hope that supports and strengthens their recovery in mental health addictions and/or trauma.
We are a 100% peer-led recovery organization (PRO), completely operated by persons in long-term recovery themselves who have, through various and multiple pathways, been on the journey of recovery and who strive to support others at their own pace on their own path towards recovery, regardless of where they currently may be.
Your time is worth everything to us. With every minute that goes by one of our community members may be at risk. Please consider how you might support The P.E.E.R. Center Center with a gift of your time or a donation to our general fund to support us in this vital work.
The P.E.E.R Center
We’re committed to your recovery.
The P.E.E.R. Center is committed to the recovery of all individuals who live with mental illness, addiction, and trauma. Each person who enters our doors is extended a warm welcome. Everyone receives all the hospitality we have to offer and is embraced by all that we value.
• Clear, honest, and open communication conveyed with mutual respect.
• The right of individuals to a safe, happy, and peaceful life.
• The experience, struggles, and leadership of those who are on a journey of recovery.
• Encouragement and acceptance of everyone, wherever they are in this journey.
• The whole individual: mind, body, and spirit.
• Most of all, we value and strive to model and instill HOPE…
A safe space to talk, learn, and support each other.
Our Core Values.
That with time, patience, support, and respect, we can work to understand our mental conditions and those things and situations that trigger us;
…that we can learn what helps, what hinders, and what empowers us to take control of our own recovery and growth;
…that we can overcome and move past those things that feed our addictions;
…that we can survive our childhood and adult traumas;
…that mental illness, addiction, and trauma do not define us, nor are they the end of our stories.
PELOTONIA
2281 Kenny Road, Suite 450
Columbus OH 43210
614-221-6100 pelotonia.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $34.5 million
Number of employees: 17
Established: 2008
SOURCES OF FUNDING @pelotonia Ride Fundraising 80% Individual Contributions 14% General Operational Contributions 6%
Pelotonia is a community that is passionate about ending cancer. Through its signature series of iconic and impactful events featuring cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism experiences, the Pelotonia community accelerates funding for innovative cancer research. In 2024, 7,000 Riders, 3,000 Volunteers, 2,000 Challengers, and countless spectators participated in Pelotonia events including Opening Ceremony and Ride Weekend in August and the second annual Gravel Day in September.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Joe Apgar
CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Robert H. Schottenstein
Chair
Doug Ulman
Vice Chair
Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS
Renee Cacchillo
Victor Crawford
Cindy Hilsheimer
Peter J. Mohler, PhD
Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD
Daniel Rosenthal
Steve Steinour
Abigail Wexner
Thanks to generous funding partners, Pelotonia directs 100 percent of every dollar raised by its participants to accelerate innovative cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Since 2008, the Pelotonia community has raised more than $300 million.
The research funded by the Pelotonia community is powering significant scientific advancements and breakthrough discoveries in cancer research that are changing and saving lives. Pelotonia dollars support seven key areas of research funding at the OSUCCC – James: idea grants, Pelotonia Scholars Program, researcher development, strategic investment initiatives, instruments of discovery, statewide initiatives, and the Pelotonia Institute for
Immuno-Oncology which celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2023. Pelotonia’s impact partnership with Victoria’s Secret & Co., the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers, is designed to improve outcomes specifically for women’s cancers, directly supporting progress in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s cancers.
By supporting Pelotonia, you are accelerating innovative cancer research that is enhancing treatment and therapies for patients, investing in the next generation of scientific talent, and fueling improvements in cancer prevention and early diagnosis. To learn more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, visit pelotonia.org/our-impact. To contribute to Pelotonia’s mission of ending cancer by making a donation, visit pelotonia.org/give.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
OF GREATER OHIO
PO BOX 933233
Cleveland OH 44193-0035
614-224-2235 ext. 5 ppgoh.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $38.7 million
Number of employees: 280
Established: 1928
Locations: 15
SOURCES OF FUNDING @PlannedParenthood
Programs: 42%
Contributions: 33%
Grants: 15%
Events: 1%
Other: 8%
INTRODUCTION
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGOH) is a leading health care provider and the largest, most trusted source of sex education in the state. PPGOH is committed to protecting, promoting, and providing high-quality, affordable reproductive care for Ohioans. With 15 health centers across North, East, and Central Ohio, including three Columbus area locations, as well as telehealth services, we proudly build healthier communities by ensuring people have access to the care they need regardless of their income or insurance status.
OUR IMPACT
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Erica Wilson-Domer
President & CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Roxia B. Boykin
Suzanne D. Carle
Crystal Cole, MD
Tanya M. Conrath, JD
Christine M. Farquhar, JD
Derrick Hall, JD, PharmD, MBA
Erica Wilson-Domer
Susan V. Juris
Stephen Keyes, JD
Trip Lazarus
Jazmin Long, MSSA/MNO
Mary B. Lynch, JD
Sloan Eberly Mann
Rob Martens
Nicolette Powe, DrPH, MCHES®
Susan Quinn, OD, FAAO
Deborah Ratner
Jose R. Rodriguez
Rebekah Smith, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CFF
Hilary White
PPGOH works to provide the care Ohioans deserve and deliver the resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. Learn more at ppgoh.org.
OUR SERVICES
• Abortion care
• Annual wellness exams
• Birth control, including same-day contraception and emergency contraception
• Cancer screenings
• Gender-affirming hormone therapy
• HIV services
• Hypertension & diabetes screening & treatment
• Men’s health care
• Pharmacy
• Pregnancy testing & services
• Primary care
• STI testing, treatment, & vaccines
• Urinary tract & vaginal infection treatment
• Vaccines, including flu & HPV
• Women’s health care
Last year, our Franklin County health centers provided care to 8,221 patients over 12,784 visits.
• 23,808 STI Tests
• 12,382 HIV Tests
• 2,256 Contraceptive Patients
• 1,165 Preventative Care Visits*
• 938 Gender-Affirming Care Visits
• 3,486 Pregnancy Tests
*Chest exams, colposcopies, biopsies, Pap tests, PrEP visits, and wellness exams.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Our doors are open thanks to the steadfast commitment of our supporters. We continue to expand our full range of reproductive and limited primary care services, provide joyful sexual health education, and ensure health equity for all. Together, we’ll build the equitable future Ohioans deserve, where everyone receives the care they need to live empowered, fulfilling, and authentic lives. Impact the future of care by contacting Lauren Vermilion at lauren.vermilion@ ppoh.org or 614-586-5053 to make a gift today.
THE SALVATION ARMY IN CENTRAL OHIO
966 E. Main St. Columbus OH 43205
614-221-6561
salvationarmycentralohio.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $14 million
Number of employees: 51
Established: 1885
Locations: 9
@SalvationArmyCentralOhio
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Public Contributions 52% Grants 20%
Community Gifts in Kind 12%
Net Sale of Goods 11% United Way 2% Investment Earnings 2% TANF 1% City of Columbus 0.1%
Since 1885, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio has been a beacon of hope, meeting human needs through love, compassion, and without discrimination. Part of an international movement, The Salvation Army is the only national social service organization able to meet human needs in almost every zip code, offering personalized, local programs to support vulnerable individuals and families.
In Central Ohio, we provide a range of critical services, including casework, utility assistance, food and clothing distribution, youth programs, after-school enrichment, summer day camps, rehabilitation services, and support for survivors of human trafficking. Our programs focus on addressing immediate needs while also helping individuals achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
We are committed to tackling the root causes of homelessness, addiction, unemployment, and poverty by offering sustainable solutions that change lives—one person at a time. Our goal is not just to provide help in the moment but to build lasting relationships that empower people to break cycles of crisis.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Majors James and Tricia
Brennan Area Coordinators
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP
Kim Dennis Chair
Sonya Higginbotham Vice Chair
John McWhorter 2nd Vice Chair
Cindy Casebolt Secretary
Eric Sideri Treasurer
Bill Petrus Immediate Past Chair
Laura Allen
Bill Burke
Cindy Clark
Frank Courtney
Michael DeAscentis, Sr.
Chris Dennis
Erika Haupt
Rosaire Ifedi, Ed.D.
Craig Mohre
Josh Riley
Robert Sessley, Jr.
Eric Smith
Geoff Smith
Matthew Stewart
Kim Swanson
Life Member
Mark Swepston
Life Member
Joe Szymanowski
Stefan T. E. Thomas
Eric Verbic
Alicia Wall
Joyce Waters
Robert Wiseman
Doug Wyatt
Stephen Zonars
Dennis Click
Emeritus Member
Jeff Edwards
Emeritus Member
With a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve those in need without discrimination, we offer physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Our compassionate and holistic approach ensures that everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or background, is treated with dignity and respect.
Join us in transforming lives in Central Ohio by visiting SalvationArmyCentralOhio.org to learn how you can support our mission through a donation or volunteer service.
SOUTHEAST HEALTHCARE
16 W. Long St. Columbus OH 43215
614-225-0990
southeasthc.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $67 million
Number of employees: 546
Established: 1978
Locations: 18
SOURCES OF FUNDING
WHO WE ARE
Southeast Healthcare began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1978. We have evolved into a leading provider of integrated healthcare inclusive of comprehensive primary and behavioral healthcare services throughout eight Ohio counties.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Bill Lee
President and CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Rev. Tony Burns
Chair
Angela Fry
Vice President
Steve Sielschott
Secretary
Kori Manus
Treasurer
Dave Lane
Immediate Past Chair
Art DeLeon
Dianne Fidelibus
Eileen Goodman
Pat Halaiko
Kate Hamilton
Sarah Lenkay
Tom Shanahan
Our person-centered approach is designed to treat the whole person. We are committed to helping our patients live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
HOW WE HELP
We provide affordable, quality programs and services, serving people of all ages, cultures, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations to enhance wellness and recovery, regardless of their ability to pay. All are welcome. We also accept Medicaid, Medicare, and many other insurance options.
The services and programs provided by Southeast support people in becoming active participants in their personal healthcare decisions. Programs and services vary by location.
Behavioral Health Services
Our holistic approach addresses physical, behavioral healthcare and life wellness needs, together, in order to
help our patients live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Primary Care Services
Our talented providers offer Primary Care services in both a clinic format and a mobile coach solution.
Pharmacy Services
Our in-house, full-service pharmacy called Apothecare, provides specialized pharmacy services for the patients we serve and saves time and resources.
Homeless Services
We operate several homeless services in central Ohio including: Friends of the Homeless Men’s Emergency Shelter, Bridge to Success, FOH Community Garden & Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH).
Dental Services
We are a provider of personalized dental care services, which include everything from regular cleanings to fillings to extractions to dental x-rays.
Vocational Services
Our Vocational Services program provides services to assist and support members of our community in overcoming challenges by focusing on employment, economic stability and life skills.
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OHIO COMMUNITY IMPACT CENTER
215 N. Front St., Suite 600
Columbus OH 43215
614-227-2700
liveunitedcentralohio.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $26 million
Number of employees: 55
Established: 1923
SOURCES OF FUNDING
A TRUSTED PARTNER
Since 1923, United Way of Central Ohio has served as a trusted convener, bringing together people, organizations and systems to solve difficult community issues. In the more than 100 years we’ve worked to mobilize the caring power of the community, we’ve empowered individuals to succeed at every stage in their lives. And even as we’re constantly evolving to meet community needs, our commitment to uniting the community to achieve measurable results that change lives remains steadfastly the same.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D.
President & CEO
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Dan Crane Chair
Barbara Benham
Past Chair
Derrick Antwi
Dr. Seleshi Asfaw
Dawn Barkley
Dorian Bass (PDPL Board Fellow)
Tal Bendor
Mark Bidstrup
Melody Birmingham
Jeff Carper
Duane Casares
Rachel Caviness
Angela Chapman, Ph.D.
John Coneglio
Hope Cotter
Doreen Delaney
Crawley
Morgan Glasser (PDPL Board Fellow)
Jeremy Gutierrez
Maria Haberman
David Lee
Melissa Marino
Elizabeth Martinez
Steve Mason
Kenny McDonald
Azure’D Metoyer
Bill McGee
Rocky Parker
Kathryn Rainieri
Martyn R. Redgrave
Ryan Schmiesing
Robert Tannous
Sharee Wells
Matt Zarnosky
Our long history of strong partnerships and understanding of our community has led us to the front of the line to focus our expertise on the needs of our students and their families with Success by Third Grade.
SUCCESS BY THIRD GRADE
Our young learners are tomorrow’s leaders and innovators. To build a strong future for our community, our children must have equitable opportunities to succeed. Through Success by Third Grade, United Way has joined forces with corporations, school districts, nonprofits, individual donors and volunteers, and government organizations to ensure every child in Franklin County is on a pathway to success by the time they leave third grade.
The ability to read by third grade plays a significant role in a child’s success later in school and in life. Success by Third
Grade is not focused on classrooms. We address the barriers that hold our students back, and work to ensure all children have stable homes, nutritious meals, equitable opportunities and the support they need to succeed. Together, we can create a better future for our children and for central Ohio.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
• Give to our Community Response Fund to support Success by Third Grade through your workplace or online at liveunitedcentralohio.org/ donate.
• Get involved and meet others who share your passion for a more equitable community by texting CONNECTED to 50503 and following us on social media.
SAVE A WARRIOR
PO Box 218117
Columbus OH 43221
734-358-4404
saveawarrior.org
ABOUT
Annual revenue: $2.95 million
Number of employees: 10
Established: 2012
WHO WE ARE
SaveAWarrior @save_a_warrior_saw
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Veteran Service Organizations: 55%
Corporate Gifts: 25%
Events: 10%
Individual: 10%
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Ronald S. “Jake” Clark
Founder and President
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Adam Carr
Board Member
Jake Clark
Founder and Board Member
Todd Robinson
Board Member
Tim Scherer
Board Member
Larry Wendling
Secretary and Treasurer
Save A Warrior was founded by Dr. Ronald “Jake” Clark in Malibu, California, in 2012. Drawn by the unique openness and “uncommon listening for possibility” found in Ohio and the Midwest, SAW began conducting cohorts in Ohio in 2017. By 2020, all operations were officially relocated to Ohio, marking a new chapter for the organization. In June 2022, Save A Warrior proudly opened the first National Center of Excellence for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress in Hillsboro, Ohio, with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust as a strategic partner.
PROGRAM
Save A Warrior offers a transformative 72-hour experience designed to address Complex Post-Traumatic Stress and suicidality. Rooted in mythology, ancient spiritual practices, and contemporary science, the program teaches Warrior Meditation™, a daily practice proven to heal the brain and help participants reconnect with themselves, initiating their healing journey. The program also emphasizes the power of ceremony, ritual, storytelling, and deep listening, allowing participants to confront and release longheld emotional pain and trauma. Methods like mindfulness-inspired labyrinth walks and film-based “Reel Therapy” help participants process their trauma and moral injury, guiding them toward long-term behavioral change. Central to our philosophy is Joseph Camp-
bell’s Hero’s Journey, where healing is found through serving others, fostering resilience, and discovering deeper meaning in life.
Apply at: saveawarrior.org/apply
IMPACT & GIVING
• Served 2500+ Warriors Nationwide
• Served 756 Ohio Veterans/First Responders
• 99.5% Success Rate
• Female Warriors: 37% in 2023
• 80% Donations to Program
• 319 Alumni Participated in Alcohol/Substance Sponsorship Program
HOW TO HELP
saveawarrior.org/donate
Corporate giving opportunities at development@saveawarrior.org
We see the world through her eyes. It’s full of potential.
It’s our job to make sure she’s ready. We empower her to ignite her curiosity and develop an appetite for learning as well as the confidence to live with intention.
It’s the difference between simply achieving and thriving.
A special quarterly section of Columbus Monthly
EDITED BY JULANNE HOHBACH
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Physicians and counselors are expanding services and increasing outreach to help combat the pediatric care crisis.
Page 114
THE GO-TO GUIDE: FACTORY TOURS
Explore candy creators, a whistle manufacturer, an NFL football maker and more.
Page 118
Maggie Dangler of counseling provider Syntero
PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
Helping Hands
As pediatric mental health diagnoses continue to climb, physicians and counselors are expanding services and increasing outreach to help combat the crisis.
Sarah and Aaron Silverman know that growing up can be stressful. And they know they can’t completely protect their young son and daughter from a very worrisome world. So, the Worthington couple is doing their best to give Ethan, 8, and Madelyn, 5, the tools to manage stress and anxiety whenever it crops up.
“I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, so it’s something we’re always worried about,” says Sarah Silverman. “I say, ‘Let me arm them with the best emotional intelligence and tools that I can.’ ”
Their concerns are shared by parents, health care workers, teachers and government officials nationwide and are borne out by concerning statistics. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in five children has a “significantly impairing mental disorder.”
A survey of 500 parents conducted in March by the Kids Mental Health Foundation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found 70 percent of parents and caregivers are concerned about their children’s mental health and wellness. A 2023 national survey by the Harris Poll found that half of parents with children younger than 18 felt that social media had negatively impacted their children’s mental health in the last year.
While the pandemic exacerbated pediatric mental health issues, there was a treatment crisis long before kids had to isolate in their homes because of COVID-19, says Dr. David Axelson, chief of psychiatry and behavioral health at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “COVID made things worse, especially with anxiety and depression, and we are trying to catch up with the need,” he says. In 2019, the year before the pandemic hit, Nationwide Children’s opened the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion, the hospital’s first freestanding facility dedicated to treating mental health. The nine-story building consolidated and expanded services that had been scattered around the hospital complex and includes a psychiatric crisis center, a 16bed crisis stabilization unit, 38 inpatient
By Kathy Lynn Gray
beds and intensive outpatient programs.
The need for care, Axelson says, is reflected in the ongoing increase in calls to the hospital’s service line: In 2023, 44,000 calls came in for mental health concerns, compared with 19,000 a decade earlier. Patient counts are rising, too, as measured by the number of total inpatient days spent at the hospital. The pavilion recorded 9,000 patient days in 2019, more than 13,000 in 2023 and is projected to reach 14,500 this year.
Axelson says he has noticed an increase in children suffering from behavioral dysregulation with aggression, which can cause people to react disproportionately to everyday stress. Unfortunately, these feelings sometimes are directed at those trying to help. “Patient aggression towards staff is a significant problem that has gotten worse in the last five years,” he says.
The problem has had serious ramifications. The U.S. Department of Labor cited the hospital in May 2023 stating it had failed to protect pavilion employees from patients and levying $18,080 in penalties after investigating a November 2022 complaint filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Employees, including nurses and mental health specialists, were exposed
to workplace violence in the form of repeated and consistent exposure to violent attacks from patients which resulted in serious injuries,” the DOL stated.
Nationwide Children’s contested the penalties and the case is ongoing, according to Scott Allen, regional director for public affairs and media relations for the DOL. Spokesperson Audrey Hasson says via email that the hospital continues to work with OSHA but cannot comment on specifics. “The safety of our staff and that of the children and families we serve is our highest priority,” she writes.
Reaching More Children
Since opening in 2019, the pavilion has expanded its offerings, increasing intermediate levels of care and intensive outpatient services, and embedding mental health services into the hospital’s community care clinics. It has reduced the wait time for inpatient beds, but the facility does sometimes reach capacity.
Axelson says the goal is to help children and young adults in the early stages of mental health issues to prevent the need for more intensive care. “Being able to provide services that can get kids back home and back in the community is really important and is something we’ve been able to do,” he says.
The Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
One newer service is OhioRISE, for children and young adults up to age 20 who have significant behavioral health treatment needs. Operated through the Ohio Department of Medicaid with several partners, including Nationwide Children’s, the $1 billion program was rolled out in 2022. Its goal is to provide better access to mental health care at home and in the community so participants can stay with their families. The program, which originally served 5,500 young people, now has nearly 38,000 enrolled around the state.
“Resources are out there, although often not enough and with barriers,” says Maggie Dangler, site manager of the Hilliard-area office of Syntero, a nonprofit Central Ohio counseling services provider. “But don’t wait to get services until your child is at that higher level of need.”
In addition to individual counseling, Syntero provides on-site services for 11 school districts in Franklin, Delaware and Morrow counties. In Delaware and Morrow, the organization recently launched same-day access so any child can get an immediate mental health assessment.
Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent issues Syntero counselors see, Dangler says, pointing to the “constant onslaught of access to peer pressure through social media” as one cause. “Bullies can always get through to you through Snapchat or Instagram,” she says. “But we need a lot more research to find out why [more mental health issues] are happening.”
Dr. James Duffee, who has been both a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist for 45 years in Dayton and Springfield, attributes the increase to a wide range of causes: social media, electronics, obesity, alcohol and marijuana use, and community violence, particularly at schools. “Kids have to have active shooter drills, and they feel like there’s no place that’s safe,” he says. “But I think the largest issue is the disintegration of social safety nets like churches and scouting, where children learned a sense of virtue and value. And the polarization of people— kids pick up on that and feel like this is not a safe time.”
Duffee, who retired from clinical care and is now a consultant for the Ohio Department of Health, reminds parents that children pick up on adults’ anxieties. “They need to make sure they’re not
‘‘ We want people to know what tools can help mental health so they can start conversations about this with every child—not just those we’re worried about.”
ARIANA HOET, EXECUTIVE CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF THE KIDS MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
sharing that anxiety with their kids,” he says. “Kids need a stable, secure base that they can go back and touch, so they can feel secure when they go out into the world.”
Enlisting Primary Care Providers
Duffee has been helping the health department develop the Ohio Pediatric Mental Health Care Access program.
ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says the program, funded with a federal grant, will provide education, psychiatric consultations and a referral network to help doctors, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants who treat children. “We need to do a better job of supporting mental health care delivery through primary care,” he says. “A lot of behavioral health care is sought for children through their primary providers, because it’s a safe environment without stigma.”
Vanderhoff says the program will roll out in 2025 and offer peer-to-peer consultations with psychiatrists; training so that primary care providers can better assist children with their mental health; and a community referral network with a broad array of behavioral health providers.
Duffee says similar programs are offered in most states, based on a model that began in Massachusetts 15 years ago. “Part of the idea of these programs is to do a risk assessment and tide the child over with adequate care until appropriate care can be given,” he says. “Another is to build competency among community practices so children will be cared for close to home and away from highcost facilities.”
Dr. Jordee Wells, an assistant professor of pediatrics in the emergency medicine division at Nationwide Children’s and
Ohio State University’s College of Medicine, encourages pediatricians to screen all children for mental health issues during annual wellness checks.
As an ER physician, she is well aware that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 10- to 25-year-olds in the United States. And because 82 percent of young people who kill themselves with a firearm use one from their home, she’s involved with the Store It Safe program, established in 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Since its inception, the program has distributed 3,500 firearm lock boxes, often through primary care doctors, and provided training to health care workers and information to families about gun safety, depression and suicide risks.
“I hope parents are having open conversations at home with their children about this, so they can share if they’re having any problems, and we can address those,” Wells says. “We also have to be mindful of what our children have access to: firearms, medications, recreational drugs and alcohol.”
Parents also should be aware of the Mobile Response and Stabilization Program for youth up to age 21, Wells says. The service, which is available 24/7 for families of young people who are experiencing a severe mental health crisis, is an alternative to calling police that can provide immediate de-escalation and stabilization. Calls to the program at 888-4186777 typically receive a response within an hour.
On Our Sleeves Initiative Expands
One well-known children’s mental health program, On Our Sleeves, underwent a major change in April. The 6-year-old campaign by Nationwide Children’s Hospital to reduce the stigma around mental health diagnoses was folded into the Kids Mental Health Foundation.
On Our Sleeves will continue its work, coupled with the foundation’s free resources to increase mental health knowledge and bolster wellness habits. “We want people to know what tools can help mental health so they can start conversations about this with every child—not just those we’re worried about,” says psychologist Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of the foundation.
The foundation offers more than 500 free guides, videos and articles for parents, caregivers, coaches and teachers,
plus resources for teachers on subjects including bullying and test taking. The information is “in the upstream space,” says Hoet, and is meant to catch problems early and provide tools to promote mental wellness.
The foundation also shares its resources with other hospitals, youth organizations and camps, Hoet says, and recently established a program to help television and film scriptwriters accurately depict children with mental health issues.
Nationwide Children’s also added a research arm to its work on children’s mental health this year. The Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research was set up at the pavilion to study the causes of pediatric mental health conditions, as well as prevention and treatment. The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research is part of the institute, which also works with several departments at Ohio State University.
Another expansion of mental health help for young people is taking place at the Buckeye Ranch, a nonprofit that has provided emotional, behavioral and mental health services since 1961. In collaboration with Nationwide Children’s, the ranch is adding a new 57,000-squarefoot facility on its main campus in Grove City for patients who have been hospitalized and need intensive transitional care. The 48-bed residential treatment center is scheduled to open next year.
How Parents Can Help
Although the Silvermans’ children are young, the couple knows that their mental health isn’t something to be ignored.
“We definitely talk plainly with them
about our emotions and try to normalize all the emotions,” says Sarah Silverman. “They see me cry, they see me frustrated, they see us fight but they see how we move on from that.”
The Silvermans try to limit the amount of television news their children see and how long they watch TV each day. “But what’s more important than how much time they’re watching TV or how much time they’re on a tablet is knowing as a parent what they’re watching,” she says.
As a teacher of special-needs preschoolers, Sarah Silverman sees how anxious parents can be, and she sees how that anxiety passes to their children. “If their mom is worried, they’re going to be worried, too,” she says.
Syntero’s Dangler says parents need to be flexible but firm, particularly as children get older. “Plant the seeds early about how to exist in a world of technology,” she says. “Have conversations around it and let them know they don’t have to totally navigate things on their own. Tell them that if there’s a problem, they can come to you. Come at their questions with curiosity and compassion, not with anger.”
Sarah and Aaron Silverman plan to do just that.
“There’s such a small amount of time that kids can live in a world that feels carefree, and I feel like this generation isn’t getting any of that,” Sarah Silverman says. “There’s just a lot of hate and distrust in the world, and that’s trickling down. What happened to the idea of being innocently happy because you’re 4 and your life consists of just playing and more playing?” ◆
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN
On Our Sleeves/Kids Mental Health Foundation kidsmentalhealthfoundation. org/mental-health-resources/ parents
CDC mental health basics cdc.gov/childrensmental health/basics
American Academy of Pediatrics tip sheets aap.org/en/patient-care/ mental-health-initiatives/ mental-health-resourcesfor-families/
Mobile Response and Stabilization Services 888-418-6777; mrssohio.org
Ohio Crisis Text Line
Text 4hope to 741-741 for 24/7 help from a crisis counselor within 5 minutes. All ages.
HELP IN A CRISIS
• For suicidal thoughts, go to the emergency room or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line at 614-722-1800.
• Outside Franklin County, call your county psychiatric crisis line or behavioral health care provider.
Dr. David Axelson of Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Factory Tours
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how nine Ohio companies make whistles, NFL footballs, candy buckeyes, popcorn and more.
By Peter Tonguette
Families looking for a fun outing will find few more educational or eye-opening experiences than a factory tour.
Tours of facilities around the Buckeye State offer a vivid reminder of the sometimes surprising number of goods and foods that are manufactured or made in Central Ohio and beyond. Such visits also provide curious youngsters with an up-close view of what goes into the making of items both ordinary (such as candy or leather footballs) and extraordinary (such as aluminum-shell travel trailers).
Here’s a roundup of nine notable tours that are fun for the entire family.
Airstream
419 W. Pike St., Jackson Center 877-596-6111
airstream.com/company/tours
Airstream has been manufacturing travel trailers in Jackson Center since 1952, and those curious about what goes into the process will learn a lot by checking out the factory in person.
Three different hour-long tours are available, spotlighting the travel trailer plant, the touring coach plant and the basecamp trailer plant. A Heritage Center museum details the company’s nearly century-old history.
Because of the nature of the tour, eye and hearing protection are mandatory
(and provided), as are closed-toe shoes. Reservations are required, and groups of 10 or more should call to make specific accommodations.
More than 80 flavors of popcorn—from traditional butter-and-salt to Buckeye,
THE GO-TO GUIDE
American Whistle Corp.
birthday cake and even Marshmallow Charms—make Al’s Delicious Popcorn a worthwhile stop on any itinerary.
Tours begin with a video history of the company, wind through the on-site store and stop in the kitchen, where guests can see popcorn being produced and ask questions of a chef. After a visit to the packaging area, the experience concludes in the store, where the best is saved for last with free samples.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Tours are offered Dec. 31 through Nov. 1 and must be booked in advance. The company also has a Cincinnati location.
Cost: Free
American Whistle Corp.
6540 Huntley Road, Columbus
800-846-2918
americanwhistle.com/tours
Do those who manufacture whistles “whistle while they work”? Find out during a tour of the American Whistle Corp., which was established in 1956 and is the nation’s sole manufacturer of metal whistles and rubber Safe-T-Tips covers.
The 45-minute tour provides a glimpse into the whole manufacturing process, from raw materials to packaging and shipping. All guests leave with a whistle at the end of the tour. A gift shop offers T-shirts, mugs, magnets and, of course, a plethora of whistles and whistle-related gear. Reservations are required.
Hours: Various times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Cost: $10
Anthony-Thomas Chocolates
1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus 877-226-3921
anthony-thomas.com/tours.html
Tours at this beloved Central Ohio chocolatier begin in the on-site retail shop, where visitors do a deep dive into the history of the 72-year-old company. Then, from a glass-enclosed catwalk, guests have the perfect perch from which to observe nine lines of candy production and packaging. At the conclusion of the 45-minute, wheelchair-accessible tour, participants are treated to a complimentary Buckeye—one of Anthony-Thomas Chocolates’ signature treats.
Hours: Various times Mondays through Thursdays; book online
Cost: $4, $2 for ages 3-18, free for ages 2 and younger. All guests receive a $2 voucher for a candy purchase.
Columbus Washboard Co.
4 E. Main St., Logan 740-380-3828
columbuswashboard.com/pages/ visit-us-guided-washboard-factory-tours Travel to Logan for a trip back in time at the Columbus Washboard Co., which is still operating 129 years after its founding. The factory, formerly located in Grandview, makes old-fashioned washboards with surfaces ranging from stainless steel to brass to spiral metal. Its products are still used by customers for
scrubbing clothes, but also as décor and musical instruments.
During the 30-minute factory tour, guests will learn about the history of the company and the machinery used to manufacture washboards, most of which dates to the early 1900s. The assembly of a washboard is demonstrated, as are its musical properties.
Hours: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
Cost: $8, $6 for senior citizens, $5 for ages 17 and younger
Employees at AnthonyThomas Chocolates hand-scoop peanut patties.
Dum-Dums at Spangler Candy Co.
Fannie May
5353 Lauby Road, North Canton
330-494-0833
fanniemay.com/us/en/chocolate-tours
The chocolatier based in North Canton has won legions of sweet-toothed fans on the strength of its Pixies, Mint Meltaways and Trinidads. Guests can learn how the delectable treats are made during a 45-minute factory tour. Group reservations can accommodate parties up to 15. Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays
Cost: Free
Spangler Candy Co.
131 S. Main St., Bryan; 419-633-6439 spanglercandy.com/about-us/ tour-store-museum
Even if you don’t know the name Spangler Candy Co., you likely are familiar with the brands the family-owned company makes at its headquarters in Bryan, including Canada mints, Dum-Dums, Marshmallow Circus Peanuts and Sweethearts, to name a few.
A trip to Spangler Candy World
Smile Brighter
doesn’t include access to the production floor, but it does feature interactive games and experiences, robotic stations that mimic the technology used in the factory, photo opportunities and learnand-play kiosks. The 15-minute “BigScreen Candy Factory Tour” offers a filmed look at the candy-making magic. The gift shop offers branded merchandise and clothing, plus multiple varieties of Spangler candy.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: General admission is free; tickets to the filmed factory tour are $3 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and younger.
Wilson Sporting Goods
517 E. Highland Ave., Ada; 419-634-9901 wilson.com/en-us/explore/football/ ada-ohio-factory
More than half-a-million leather footballs are manufactured annually at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada. That includes the football known as “The Duke,” which is the official football of the
National Football League. Wilson has produced all NFL game balls since 1941 and opened a new, larger factory over the summer.
Football fans won’t want to miss hourlong factory tours, which include stops on the production floor. Tours, which must be booked online, are open to all ages. Wilson also has an on-site store.
Hours: 9 a.m. and noon Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. Fridays
Lovers of ice cream and connoisseurs of cheese can get the full dairy experience on this tour of Young’s Jersey Dairy, which offers views from production windows. Tickets include a pint of ice cream and either a small cheese block, cheese sampler or curd sampler.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. on select Saturdays
Cost: $10
The new Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada
home & style
Elements of Style
Jessica Brugger loves using mood boards to envision home interiors. Meet the designer, Page 124.
PHOTO BY TIM JOHNSON
Home, Well Lived
Interior designer Jessica Brugger,
owner of Dwell Well Design Co.,
says a home should tell its owner’s story.
By Virginia Brown
About a year and a half ago, Jessica Brugger left the comforts—and stresses—of corporate America to pursue her passion for interior design. Today, through her company, Dwell Well Design Co., she helps guide clients to authentic reimaginings of their most important space: their home.
The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Interior Design is a second career for you. What made you want to jump? I was objectively very successful in my 15-year corporate America career, but I found myself creatively unfulfilled. I went back to school to get my certification from the New York Institute of Art & Design. I have always been super creative, but also very much a type A. I enjoy a 401(k) match and a biweekly paycheck and had a traditional view of what success was.
What sparked your interest in interior design? I have renovated five homes—I just loved to create spaces that function for our family but still feel like us. My sister renovated a very old farmhouse, and I was right there along with her. It was so much fun. I found that there was a lot of opportunity in the market for folks that wanted to do these types of projects but were intimidated by interacting with trades people and general contractors or had done it in the past but felt unsatisfied or pushed around.
What is your design philosophy? It’s really about personalizing home, about getting to know the people that live in the home, so that I can translate who they are, what they do, and how they
want to live. It’s a big deal to me that none of my spaces look the same.
What else is unique about your approach? I like to connect a lot of talent, makers and artists, into projects. I am always looking for talented folks so I can infuse their pieces into designs. I also do a lot of furniture design. I do rug design and art collaborations. I collaborate with a local candlemaker Bibliophile CandleCo. I also do interior architecture, so I scale and blueprint everything.
What is a current trend? How to bring nature into the home. We’re seeing a
ton of live plants and house plants in the home, which I think is such a great complement to a layered look and bringing life into spaces so they’re not flat feeling.
How do you steer people clear of fading trends? I always try to steer people away from themes. Instead, we talk about why they love what they love. If they want a beach theme, I would ask, “What is it about the feeling of the beach that you really enjoy?” Oftentimes, things that come to mind are that it’s peaceful, or I feel grounded in nature, or I like the soft color tones, and then that’s where I will go. ◆
Jessica Brugger
Brick by Brick
A Clintonville renovation honors the neighborhood’s masonry heritage.
By Laura Newpoff
Kevin and Jenna Nordine have a young son who is autistic and functionally nonverbal. One of the few words he says is “flowers, flowers, flowers,” which references his favorite park—the Park of Roses in Clintonville.
During the pandemic, the Nordines, who lived in Clintonville at the time, kept their eyes on the streets nearby the park, hoping a home would come up for sale. It was a competitive time for buyers, and prices increased significantly during the COVID health crisis, but the couple vowed that if something hit the market—no matter what it looked like —they were going to go for it.
In May 2022, they closed on a house on Ceramic Drive that was just steps from the park. It was old (built in 1955) and small (1,200 square feet), so a complete renovation and addition was needed. The original home was designed with connections to the Claycraft Brick & Mining Co. of Columbus, a premier manufacturer of high-quality masonry products. According to the Nordines and their architect, Dustin Mondrach of Milhoan Architects, it is generally understood that each house along the street featured a different brick pallet, which is still evident today. Careful planning and intention were exercised in the renovation and addition to honor the history of the street while also adapting the low-sloping ranch to current family lifestyles.
“When we talked with (Mondrach), it was really important that we built something that made sense for the history of the street because every house on Ceramic Drive has a unique brick,” Jenna Nordine says. “We stressed that it was really important that the home blend in with the other homes in the neighborhood.”
Photos by Tim Johnson
Minimalist design in the dining room in the Nordine home in Clintonville
To do that, Kevin Nordine says, bricks were harvested during the demolition of the rear of the home and used in the redesign of the front facade. “Our architect nudged us to a whole new roof system where we ripped out the existing roof so we could have a higher raised ceiling (in the great room at the rear of the house) with a flat roof so we could install transom windows and have a couple different elevations, while also making sure the height keeps in line with the rest of the street really well.”
The 980-square-foot addition to the rear of the home involved that great room and master bedroom suite with bath. A home office also was added at the rear of the home in a space that formerly was the part of a garage. Kevin’s company, Nordine and Associates, was the general contractor for the seven-month project.
The new design, according to a description provided by the architect, “incorporates a contemporary approach without interrupting the existing streetscape through dramatic exterior color or obtuse building massing. The architectural fabric of the street was first honored through the preservation of the original brick. The design intentionally protected the earthtones, and sand mold masonry veneer wherever possible. When walls and brick veneer were modified or removed, the brick was harvested, cleaned, and reused so as to eliminate unnecessary landfill. Secondly, the new design incorporates flat roofs preserving the lower profile silhouettes which are characteristic of the street. Although the house celebrates 11 foot high ceilings on the interior, it was designed with the adjacent homes in mind to blend with the massing of the existing streetscape.”
The new plan and flow of the interior was specifically designed around the owners’ lifestyles and family needs, according to the firm. A desire for natural light, open spaces and a connection to the exterior were all important for their occupation of the house and entertaining. A large priority was placed on the office space having direct access to the exterior patio for outside work. A dining area at the front of the home is one spot for eating, in addition to a 15-footlong kitchen island. The formal dining space enjoys views to the outside thanks to a large single unit glass at
The back patio has a fireplace that can be seen through floorto-ceiling windows in the Nordine home; while the dining room, with its fresh take on mid-century modern decor, flows into an open kitchen.
the front elevation. A partial height wall defines the dining space and protects the more casual and private areas of the house from public street views.
As the center of the home, the kitchen was designed as the hub of the house and has open access to the rear great room, which is ideal for entertaining, the couple says.
The older home featured a corner glass window at the front entrance. This concept was incorporated into the full height glass exterior wall at the rear of the renovated home as an homage to the original structure, Kevin says. “It was important to us that we reimagine the home and update it, and not just raze it to the ground.”
Clockwise from top: The open kitchen with jumbo island; owner’s suite with twin bedside windows; and retro patterns punch up a bedroom, office and bathroom.
Holiday Gift Guide
Bella Piercing
This holiday, give the gift of an everlasting experience at Bella Piercing, an upscale piercing shop located in Gahanna, Ohio. We offer needle-only piercings for all ages. Spend $100 on gift cards and receive an extra $25. Available in-store or by calling 614-414-6077. Treat someone special this season!
159 N High St. Gahanna, OH 43230
614-414-6077
bellapiercingoh.com
Oakland Nursery
Enjoy our two unique shopping experiences this holiday season: Oakland HOME and Oakland INSIDE & OUT. For more information, visit oaklandnursery.com and click the “Specialty Shops” tab.
Oakland HOME
4271 W. Dublin-Granville Rd. Dublin, OH 43017
614-874-2400
Oakland INSIDE & OUT
5211-B Johnstown Rd. New Albany, OH 43054 614-573-8648
WHO’S MOVING AND SHAKING
food & drink
BY TIM JOHNSON
PHOTO
Elevated Classics
A New England Collins at the Whitney House Table & Tavern in Worthington. Read a review of the restaurant on Page 132.
Contemporary Comfort Food
Ten years in, the Whitney House is worth a visit.
By Amy Bodiker Baskes
The Whitney House and I started off on the wrong foot. Before my first visit, I looked at its menu online and rolled my eyes. “Another chicken-sandwich-slash-Caesar-salad place,” I grumbled, my shorthand for a genre of indistinguishable gastropubs that tend to fall into the trap of not tasting like very much at all.
But “don’t judge a book by its cover” is important advice, even if it’s the wrong genre for restaurant critics. My job is to dig in with all my senses and to avoid superficial conclusions. And at the Whitney House—which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month—I’m so glad I did.
Offering what it calls “thoughtfully crafted American comfort food,” the Whitney House’s menu is approachable, but not ordinary. It opened in 2014 in a shotgun space in downtown Worthington with two main rooms surrounding a central slightly open kitchen. A post-
COVID renovation has since updated the interiors. If I lived closer, it might become my regular neighborhood joint. What changed my mind? First off: Most everything we tried was flavorful and well-executed. The menu might offer familiar fare, but Chef Brian Aller and his staff are cooking dishes from scratch without relying on pre-chopped, heat-and-serve shortcuts. Hand-cut vegetables—prepped by people, not machines—appeared in more than one dish I sampled. While not everything we ate was a “10,” it’s clear this kitchen crew is cooking with creativity and integrity.
On one visit I enjoyed dinner at the bar, where friendly regulars were entrenched in that day’s episode of their ongoing conversation with a chatty bartender. Located in the back half of the venue, the dark and cozy tavern offers a Midwestern friendliness in what appears to be a traditional New England pub. The drink menu includes a dozen rotating craft
cocktails, featuring both non-alcoholic and barrel-aged concoctions, as well as a deep selection of mostly California wines and domestic and local craft beers.
Following the bartender’s recommendation, I started with a New England Collins ($10), which combined gin and vodka from Watershed with blueberries and lemon juice, pleasingly tart despite its shocking magenta hue. With it, I snacked on the Smoked Salmon Dip ($16), a cream cheese-based spread reminiscent of the flavors in a classic bagel schmear. The small amount of dip was out of proportion to its accompaniments—a towering pile of crispy housemade potato chips and big slices of fresh bell peppers and cucumbers—and the dip itself was a bit too cold and stiff to work with.
For dinner, I started with the seasonal house salad ($13), a combination of mixed greens topped with crisped prosciutto, dried cherries, candied spiced
PHOTO: TIM JOHNSON
Baked CinnamonButter Brioche French Toast
SHORTHAND
The Whitney House Table & Tavern
666 High St., Worthington 614-396-7846
thewhitneyhouserestaurant.com
Hours: 4-9 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday; Closed Mondays. If you go: Ask for the dessert menu if only to read its sweet-talking manifesto that encourages a nostalgic romp through your favorite childhood tastes. “Be naughty,” it tempts you. “We won’t tell.”
pecans and creamy bits of cambozola cheese—a combination of triple crème and blue cheeses. Unfortunately, the sour vinaigrette was overpowering—until we tasted it alongside our entrée.
The tart salad was a good foil to the earthy and creamy Ohio City Gnocchi ($19). In this dish, the Cleveland pasta company’s somewhat dense dumplings were topped with a rich sauce of finely minced mushrooms and cream, finished with large shavings of parmesan. With that, we also enjoyed the zesty Pan Seared Walleye ($37), a large fillet dusted in Cajun spices, topped with shrimp and accompanied by a large serving of vegetable hash, which included three colors of bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and onions studded with pieces of spicy andouille sausage.
Dessert is the sleeper hit of the Whitney House. With six different choices— as many as any other course—it’s clear this restaurant takes it seriously. I opted for the classic Warm Maldon Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookies ($12): three warm cookies studded with big pieces of chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce that invite you to make-your-own sandwich. But I was awfully tempted by both the Fudgy Ice Cream Pretzel Cake ($13) and the Grown Up Chocolate Birthday Cake ($12). Next time.
The Whitney House is open for brunch on the weekends, a meal I normal-
ly avoid for its boozy, sugar-bombing, carbo-loading tendencies, which can easily wipe out a weekend day. But I was impressed with the way the Whitney House showed restraint on its brunch menu, with reasonable portions and balanced flavors.
I loved the restaurant’s take on an egg sandwich ($14), combining two over easy eggs, ham and aioli on a small, toasted ciabatta role. The sandwich’s crunchy toast and crispy griddled ham contrasted nicely with the creamy melted provolone cheese, runny yolks and pillowy bread. Peppery green arugula and sharp red onions brightened up each bite.
Equally delicious was the Baked Cinnamon-Butter Brioche French Toast ($15) which was surprisingly light and savory. At the Whitney House, thick slices of cinnamon-swirled bread are soaked in an eggy custard and then griddled on a flat top. Two pieces of earthy and smoky Berkshire bacon accompanied the dish and a light drizzle of maple syrup over the plate kissed both the bacon and the bread, and did not drown out the crispy, savory flavors.
In my experience, good regular neighborhood spots are less common than you’d think. It’s tricky to find the ones that strike the right balance between casual and upscale, that are reliable and still creative and delicious. Landing at the Whitney House was a pleasant surprise. ◆
House Salad
The Whitney House in Worthington
Egg Sandwich with fruit
Irish Flavors, Historic Vibes
In its 135-year history, the Dublin Village Tavern has been a post office, a pub and more.
By Bailey Trask
Geri Ziemba opened Dublin Village Tavern in February 2000. The 1889 building has served many purposes in its lifetime—a hardware store, a residence and Dublin’s first post office—before sitting empty for nearly a decade in the 1990s. Its current iteration as a busy, cozy restaurant and tavern in Dublin’s historic district feels as though it’s been that way from the very beginning.
While the food at Dublin Village Tavern is good, it’s the ambience and location that truly make this spot worth visiting. Nestled in the heart of Historic Dublin, it’s the perfect place to stop as part of a larger exploration—perhaps after strolling across the Dublin Link suspension bridge or taking in the charming 19th-century architecture of the area.
Step inside, and you’re immediately struck by the building’s history. Sectioned rooms, exposed brick walls, wooden beams and vintage whiskey mirrors contribute to an old-world feel, with forest green accents adding a touch of warmth. There’s even a quirky second-floor door to nowhere—a feature that would feel contrived in many other settings, even as modern designers often try to replicate these details in newly built restaurants. The authentic atmosphere at Dublin Village Tavern stands in stark contrast to the spacious eateries across the river in Bridge Park.
The menu is described as “Irish with a twist,” featuring a mix of classic Irishinspired dishes alongside more typical American pub fare. The Irish Egg Roll ($6.95 for one) is essentially a Reuben (think corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing) packed into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried. At nearly 2 inches in diameter, one is sufficient for sharing between two people. Another themed appetizer, the Hooley Eggs ($9.95 for three), fea-
Dublin Village Tavern
27 S. High St., Dublin thedublinvillagetavern.com 614-766-6250
tures hard-boiled eggs wrapped in Irish sausage, flash-fried and served with a mustard sauce that enhances the dish, which is also known as Scotch Egg.
Mains include simple salads, various burger options and sandwiches. The shepherd’s pie ($16.95) is a must-try, showcasing the restaurant’s ability to shine beyond fried dishes. Braised beef mixed with rich gravy and crisp-tender peas and carrots sits beneath smooth, perfectly seasoned mashed potatoes topped with baked breadcrumbs.
The Mór Mac & Cheese ($14.95) is
topped with baked cheddar that’s served alongside the same vegetables from the shepherd’s pie, while the well-prepared Irish Glazed Salmon ($18.95) comes with a touch too much sweet orange glaze, seasoned rice reminiscent of RiceA-Roni and a vegetable of the day (mine was a crisp asparagus). Most dishes are served with buttery rolls from Worthington’s Heartland Bread & Roll. The fish & chips ($17.95) feature a light, flaky batter, though the fries could be less greasy.
Where Dublin Village Tavern truly shines is its whiskey selection, boasting an impressive 140 varieties of Irish whiskey. The tavern offers four types of whiskey flights, ranging from $20 to $40, inviting guests to explore the rich flavors of this beloved spirit.
Service can be a bit passive, with a young staff that maintains a casual vibe. This is not a formal dining experience. It’s kind of spot where you can settle in with a whiskey flight, soak in the history of the building and enjoy the charm of Historic Dublin while you try something new. ◆
Mac and cheese and Irish Egg Rolls, background
SHORTHAND
Heart and Hummus
Lavash Café owners Nasir and Laila Latif talk about their restaurant, which won Columbus Monthly’s taste test for best hummus.
By Linda Lee Baird
You can tell someone puts a lot of thought into their cuisine when, after you casually mention you tried a new restaurant for lunch that day, their first question is, “Do they make their own bread?”
But if you know Nasir Latif, owner of Lavash Café in Clintonville, you likely aren’t surprised he asked. Nasir opened Lavash in December 2008, one of several restaurants he’s founded since entering the industry 40 years ago. He’s known as a Mediterranean food pioneer in Columbus, opening Firdous on the campus of Ohio State University in the 1980s, a brand he’s since sold. (Firdous maintains restaurants in Upper Arlington, the North Market and Polaris.)
A few things have remained consistent across Nasir’s restaurants: First, he treats all his customers—and his staff— like family. And second, he still uses his mother’s hummus recipe, which the family brought with them from Palestine, where Nasir was born. “He grew up learning from the best of the best: my grandma,” Nasir’s daughter Laila Natif explains.
That recipe was responsible for the hummus that Columbus Monthly staffers voted the city’s best in September. Smooth, creamy, balanced, and served with colorful vegetables, it was rated as the most delicious among the hummus options from six other Middle Eastern restaurants.
Nasir sounded proud, but not surprised, when he heard this news. “There is the right way and the wrong way, there is no in between, especially with food,” he says. While he wouldn’t divulge any of the dish’s secret ingredients, he did share that his hummus is made from scratch and that the chickpeas are soaked over-
Lavash Café
2985 N. High St. lavashcafe.com 614-263-7777
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays.
night—no shortcuts are taken, not even using canned beans.
It makes a difference noticeable not only to customers but to Nasir himself, who says he recently ordered food from Lavash through Uber Eats to his house in Dublin, because—even 40 years into restaurant ownership—he still loves what he makes.
The care and attention to detail is evident in the array of dishes on the menu— from the appetizers to the wraps to the entrées and family meals, with dietary accommodations carefully noted for customers. It shows up, of course, in the fresh pita bread, baklava and other desserts sold at the counter, made in-house by bakers who begin their shifts at 4 a.m. daily. (Nasir arrives by 6 a.m.) It’s evident, too, in the caring way Latifs treat their loyal staff. “Our employees help us run the show,” Laila says.
Nasir’s inclination to treat everyone like family means much of his staff now
is family. Today, he co-owns Lavash with Laila and his son Jamal, with Laila taking on much of the daily operations. His niece Jackie Latif and nephew Matt Latif have stepped up as Lavash’s catering manager and general manager.
The team the family has built allows them to sell their hummus and pita bread at local markets including Lucky’s, Weiland’s and Littleton’s, as well as at some of Columbus’ international groceries. For the full experience, though—the one that has brought Nasir’s regulars back to his establishments consistently for 40 years—you have to visit the restaurant.
“This is my house, and what do you do with a guest in your house?” Nasir asks. “You go above and beyond.” ◆
Hummus and pita bread
Lavash Café founder Nasir Latif
SHORTHAND
Guy Fieri Discovers the King of Gyros
Whitehall restaurateur Yianni Chalkias dishes the secrets behind Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
By J.R. McMillan
Among the most dreaded calls any restaurant owner can receive is one requiring them to temporarily close— unless that call comes from Guy Fieri. When the host of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives decides a beloved local joint deserves national attention, it’s worth celebrating.
“We only close on Sundays and holidays,” says Yianni Chalkias, owner of King Gyros at 400 S. Hamilton Road. Since opening more than three decades ago, the eatery in the heart of Whitehall has evolved into a full-service Greek restaurant. “They said we’re just the kind of place they look for, where everything is made from scratch. So, I made an exception.”
Born in Greece, Chalkias immigrated to Ohio shortly before his 10th birthday and worked in his family’s restaurants until opening his own. Even during the pandemic and through extensive remodeling that transformed an abandoned Taco Bell into an Acropolis-inspired destination for Mediterranean home cooking, King Gyros never closed—not one day, much less two. But Chalkias was honored to join a growing group of Columbus favorites featured this season: Tommy’s Diner, Katalina’s, Joya’s, High Bank Distillery and Wario’s Beef and Pork.
“Guy is looking for something special that nowhere else has. We have 26 homemade desserts. We grow our own herbs and serve dishes that would cost twice as much at other restaurants,” Chalkias says. “When I told them we grind our own lamb, they asked me to send some pictures of the kitchen. That’s when I knew they were really interested.”
Born in Columbus and raised in California, 40 seasons and more than 1,000 underrated restaurants in, Fieri’s fondness for his hometown is apparent, not only from the June opening of his Trat-
Food & Drink |
toria at Eldorado Scioto Downs, but also his decision to feature six local restaurants in the current season of the show. (He also chose the city for the inaugural and since-canceled Flavortown Festival, though he maintains a future iteration could still come through.)
Restaurants that appear on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives are sworn to secrecy, not just to keep a lid on which restaurants will be featured in upcoming episodes. Some dishes don’t make the cut, and some places don’t, either. King Gyros has a fellow restauranteur to thank for recommending the restaurant for Fieri’s itinerary.
“We talked about recipes and ingredients in the weeks before the shoot, how different dishes might work,” Chalkias says. “On the final call they decided on Yiayia’s Dolmades and Pappous’ Lamb Chops. They’re named after my yiayia, which is Greek for grandma, and my pappous, which means grandpa. It was perfect.”
Closing for a couple days can be painful, but try squeezing lighting, sound and camera crews into an already cramped kitchen as orders pile up. The second day of shooting is for select patrons to share their fondness for the food, recommendations and memories, including why
Yianni Chalkias with Guy Fieri
the restaurant is such a beloved part of the community.
“We started getting ready at 9 a.m. on Friday and Guy was here from around 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. They even kept his [red Camaro] covered up except when they were shooting,” Chalkias says. “Everything was wrapped up around 5 p.m., so we opened up for the rest of the night. The second day of shooting was Sunday, when we’re closed anyway, so we didn’t have to close two days after all.”
Three months after the King Gyros filming, the same week as the annual Columbus Greek Festival in the first days of September, more than 100 family, friends and patrons gathered in the Whitehall restaurant’s parking lot to watch the episode projected on a giant screen. Equal parts block party, backyard cookout and class reunion, neighbors, longtime fans and former staff from the early days of the restaurant reminisced until a hush fell over the lines of lawn chairs and standing room-only crowd. They watched intently as Chalkias carefully prepared and seared his signature lamb chops, laughing along as Fieri repeatedly commented on the lemon dill sauce that’s served with King Gyros’ dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), each rolled by hand.
A rousing dedication by Chalkias to his supporters and staff drew cheers and more than a few tears, soon remedied by a buffet of dishes featured on the show, as well as some of those legendary desserts. Weeks later, the limelight hadn’t seemed
to fade, with new fans discovering King Gyros every day. “Following the episode, there was a 50 percent increase in business. Now, it’s closer to 25 percent, and we expect to stay busier in the months ahead,” Chalkias says, acknowledging the long tail that tends to follow an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. “When people travel, they check old episodes to find unique places to eat. We think we’ll see that impact for years to come. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.” ◆
FLAVOR TRAIL
Columbus stops and dishes featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives over the years
Loops
Chicago Italian Beef and the Titan (house pork gyro)
Pierogi Mountain
Ethiopian-inspired Misir Wot Pierogi and Chicken Paprikash
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Mangalitsa Bratwurst Burger and Dry-Rub St. Louis Spare Ribs
Sweet Carrot
Beef Brisket Corn Cake and Sweet Chili Chicken Meatball
Sandwich
Ena’s Caribbean
Signature Spicy Jerk Chicken and Fried Escoveitch Red Snapper
Momo Ghar
Jhol Momo and Choila Set (Tibetan chicken salad)
Katalina’s Dulce de Leche Pancake Balls and Everything but the Chicken Sink Sammy
King Gyros Yiayia’s Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and Pappous’ Lamb Chops
Tommy’s Diner
Greek Pastitsio and Baklava Cheesecake
High Bank Distillery Co.
Hot Honey Chicken and Biscuits, and Barbacoa Nachos
Joya’s
Bacon and Chicken Fried Rice, and Lamb Kati Roll
Wario’s Beef and Pork
Ribeye Cheesesteak and
Rosemary-Fennel Roasted Pork
The King Gyros team with Guy Fieri
let’s eat
WHERE TO DINE THIS MONTH
Editor’s Note: Please call restaurants to check hours and menu availability.
$$$$ Very expensive, $26 and higher
$$$ Spendy, $16–$25
$$ Moderate, $11–$15
$ Affordable, under $10
NEW Restaurant has opened within the last few months.
Outdoor Seating
B Breakfast
BR Brunch
L Lunch
D Dinner
One of our 10 Best Restaurants
2023 Best New Restaurants
Let’s Eat comprises Columbus Monthly editors’ picks and is updated monthly based on available space. Send updates to letters@columbusmonthly.com
AMERICAN
Cameron’s American Bistro
Open since 1993, Cameron’s is the flagship for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. The restaurant’s chef-driven menu showcases the diversity of American cuisine with fresh seafood, pastas, steaks and chops. 2185 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Northwest Side, 614-885-3663. D $$$$
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
A hip hot dog joint with retro décor and oneof-a-kind wieners that can be topped with condiments such as sauerkraut, baked beans and Fritos. 248 S. Fourth St., Downtown, 614824-4673. LD $
Harvest Bar + Kitchen
From the owners of Harvest Pizzeria, these locations offer the same wood-kissed pies plus salads, sandwiches, burgers and more. 940 S. Front St., Brewery District, 614-9477950. LD $$
Kitchen Social
A stylish, independently owned restaurant serving classic American grill fare alongside
plates inspired by global cuisines. Start with the fan-favorite cheddar and scallion biscuits to go with any of the signature cocktails or a glass from the extensive wine list. The menu includes entrée salads, pizzas, tacos, seafood, steaks and more. 6791 Longshore St., Ste. 110, Dublin, 614-763-1770; 8954 Lyra Dr., Polaris, 614-505-8492. BRLD $$$
Lindey’s
A Columbus institution, this upscale German Village restaurant with Upper East Side New York flair is a diner favorite, no doubt due to its classic and consistently good fine-dining fare and lush patio. 169 E. Beck St., German Village, 614-2284343. BRLD $$$$
The Locust Table
The name of this neighborhood café stems from the owner’s generations-old family farm, The Twin Locust Farm, which is a main source for the eatery’s ingredients and produce. The menu at this downtown Powell spot includes scones, egg sandwiches, veggie burgers and more. 16 Crossing St., Powell, 614-553-7322. BBRL $$
Northstar Café
Northstar’s menu has a healthful emphasis on organic ingredients served in a casual, orderat-the-counter café setting. At peak times, it’s common to see diners lined up for the beetladen veggie burger, pizzas, salads, rice-andveggie bowls and oversized cookies. 4241 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-784-2233; 4015 Townsfair Way, Easton, 614-532-5444; 951 N. High St., Short North, 614-298-9999; 109 S. State St., Westerville, 614-394-8992. BBRLD $$$
Old Mohawk Restaurant
This German Village favorite housed in a historic building is rumored to have ties to Prohibition. On the menu is standard American bar fare, including the famed turtle soup. 819 Mohawk St., German Village, 614-444-7204. LD $
ASIAN
Ampersand Asian Supper Club
Megan Ada’s Ampersand serves ramen, donburi rice bowls and more in the heart of the Short North. This sister restaurant to Westerville’s Asterisk Supper Club also offers craft cocktails
Visit columbus monthly.com to read about the latest restaurant openings.
Al Aqsa Sweets
and a variety of sakes. 940 N. High St., Short North, 614-928-3333. LD $$
Cobra
Though first-and-foremost a neighborhood bar, Cobra offers a creative menu of sandwiches, skewers and handmade pastas with Pan-Asian flavor profiles. Think: a chicken patty katsu sandwich, dan dan spaghetti and Cacio de Szechuan with mafaldine. The cocktails are on point, and the kitchen stays open late. 684 S. High St., Brewery District, 614-502-8863. D $$
Helen’s Asian Kitchen
A mix of Chinese-American, authentic Chinese and Pan-Asian dishes are served in a casual atmosphere. Don’t miss the pork buns, spicy stir-fried cauliflower and handmade dumplings. 1070 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., North Side, 614-987-5121. LD $$
Tiger + Lily Bistro
This inviting Downtown eatery features modern takes on Pan-Asian cuisine, such as lemongrass chicken or teriyaki tofu in a rice or salad bowl, chicken broth-based ramen, bubble milk teas and seasonal crêpe cakes. 19 E. Gay St., Downtown, 614-928-9989. BRLD $
BAKERY
Al Aqsa Sweets
Excellent baklava, petit four cookies, knafeh and other desserts are the focus of this traditional
PHOTO: BARBARA J. PERENIC
Middle Eastern bakery owned by Fathieh Abdellatif. 1940 Schrock Road, North Side, 614-806-0293. LD $
Auddino’s Italian Bakery
They don’t make bakeries like Auddino’s anymore. This old-school Italian retail bakeshop and wholesaler offers sandwich buns, pizza dough, pastries, cookies and more. 1490 Clara St., University District, 614294-2577. BL $
Golden Delight Bakery
Best known for its delightfully light strawberry cake, this Asian bakery has been serving the city for 30 years. Other offerings include cream puffs, egg tarts, fruit tarts, cake rolls and a wide variety of specialty cakes. 1516 Bethel Road, Northwest Side, 614-459-6888. BL $
Pistacia Vera
The crème de la crème of Columbus pastry shops, with macarons, croissants, éclairs, tarts, quiches and a small selection of sandwiches. 541 S. Third St., German Village, 614-220-9070. BL $$
Schneider’s Bakery
A Westerville favorite since the 1950s, Jeff
Hamler’s bakery is known for its traditional doughnuts, pastries, cookies, pies, cakes and breads. Opens at 1:30 a.m. 6 S. State St., Westerville, 614-882-6611. BL $
BAR FARE
City Tavern
This casual sports pub located inside the Wonder Bread Building features exposed brick walls and large windows. Solid bar grub is served, such as Hungarian stuffed peppers, bacon cheeseburger fries, classic burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads and more. 697 N. Fourth St., Italian Village, 614826-2348. LD $$
Little Palace
The owners of Club 185 revived this longtime eatery, turning it into a hip neighborhood bar. The menu includes fried cheese curds, fried chicken sliders, subs, pizzas, lasagna and stromboli. 240 S. Fourth St., Downtown, 614461-8404. LD $$
O’Reilly’s Pub
A casual, neighborhood Irish bar with a menu including the Pepper Burger, subs, sweet potato fries and wings. 2822 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-262-6343. LD $
CARIBBEAN
Ava’s Taste of the Caribbean
Authentic Caribbean cuisine is the focus of this carryout spot, with jerk chicken, curry goat, fried plantains and more. 2836 W. Broad St., West Side, 614-266-9308. LD $$
Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen
Founded more than 20 years ago by matriarch Vinell “Ena” Hayles, a native of Jamaica, this Linden area restaurant offers authentic Caribbean fare like jerk chicken, callaloo and curry goat. 2444 Cleveland Ave., North Linden, 614-262-0988. BRLD $$
Mi Yaad Jamaican Restaurant
Located inside Saraga International Grocery, this carryout serves top-notch Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, escovitch fish, curry goat, Rasta pasta and more. 2750 S. Hamilton Road, East Side, 614-490-7197. LD $$
CHINESE
Chuan Jiang Hao Zi
From the owners of bygone dim sum destination Fortune Chinese comes this University City restaurant featuring both
American Chinese and authentic Chinese menus. House specialties include fish fillet in Sichuan green pepper broth, mapo lobster and tofu, spicy dry pot beef and fried spicy intestine. A dim sum menu is also available. 496 Ackerman Road, Northwest Side, 614-3725520 LD $$$
Jiu Thai Asian Café
Located in the Olentangy Plaza shopping center, this restaurant specializes in flavorful, authentic cuisine from northern China. Go for the tofu skewers, lamb dumplings and handmade noodles in generous portions at low prices. 787 Bethel Rd., Northwest Side, 614-732-5939. LD $$
NE Chinese Restaurant
Authentic dishes from the Dongbei region of China are the specialty at this unfussy Old North spot. Go for the cumin potatoes, spicy twicecooked fish or any of the hot pots. 2620 N. High St., Old North, 614-725-0880. LD $$
Pacific Eatery & Catering
Ask for the Chinese menu and you’ll be treated to excellent Hunan and Northeastern Chinese cuisine at this casual spot. Dishes include fried eggplant, dry pot tofu and more. 4514 Kenny Rd., Ste. B, Northwest Side, 614451-1428. LD $$
Xi Xia Western Chinese Cuisine
Xi Xia offers some of the city’s best hand-pulled Chinese noodles. Highlights include the chewy stirred noodles and rice pilaf with cubed lamb. 1140 Kenny Centre Mall, Northwest Side, 614670-7736. LD $$
Xin Wei Kitchen
This Sichuan restaurant offers both traditional Chinese and American-Chinese menus. Opt for the former, with dishes like braised eggplant, dry-fried string beans, Chongqing spicy chicken and excellent seafood preparations boasting lavalike heat. 1932 W. Henderson Rd., Northwest Side, 614-824-3347. LD $$$
CONTEMPORARY
Fyr
Argentinian chef Sebastian La Rocca oversees this live-fire restaurant at the new Hilton Columbus Downtown tower. Dinnertime starters range from empanadas to grilled bone marrow, while the mains include ember-cooked shrimp, grilled filet, woodfired pizzas and roasted salmon. Breakfast is served daily. 404 N. High St., Short North, 614-384-8600. BD $$$
Cameron Mitchell goes contemporary at the Guild House with a smart collection of small plates, house-made pasta and many dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Sleek with a rustic edge, the 140-seat restaurant and bar is connected to Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph. 624 N. High St., Short North, 614-2809780. BBRLD $$$
Service Bar
Local distiller Middle West showcases its fine spirits at this on-site restaurant and bar led by executive chef Chris Connolly. Expect New American fare ranging from a wagyu beef burger to halibut with Kashmiri curry. 1230 Courtland Ave., Short North, 614-947-1231. D $$$
Veritas
Chef Josh Dalton’s modern, tasting-menu-style restaurant celebrates the art and science of cooking while offering one of the finest dining experiences in town. Located in the Citizens Building, Veritas prides itself on excellent service and exhilarating cocktail and wine lists. The menu’s theme changes often. 11 W. Gay St., Downtown, 614-745-3864. D $$$$
Watershed Kitchen & Bar
Watershed complements its distillery with a handsome, proudly Midwestern restaurant and bar known for its chef-driven menu and locally sourced fare. The bar is a destination on its own, with classically inspired cocktails served by an industry-recognized bar staff. 1145 Chesapeake Ave., Fifth by Northwest, 614-357-1936. D $$$
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
French- and California-cuisine-inspired Wolf’s Ridge is a truly delightful reflection of how we enjoy fine dining today—a happy marriage of high-end small plates, pints of house-crafted beer and craft cocktails. Don’t miss the brunch. 215 N. Fourth St., Downtown, 614-429-3936. BRLD $$$
DESSERTS
Coppa Gelato
This gelato shop is family-owned and it shows, from welcoming service to more than 60 flavors of gelato and sorbetto made from locally sourced milk. 925 N. State St., Westerville, 614776-4092. LD $
Diamonds Ice Cream
This ice cream shop serves a dizzying array of Mexican desserts, juices and snacks. Go for the excellent paletas. 5461 Bethel Sawmill Ctr., Northwest Side, 614-718-2980. LD $
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s creative and seasonal ice cream flavors are renowned across the nation. Think Salty Caramel ice cream, ice cream sundaes and ice cream sandwiches. 4247 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-447-0500; 160 S. High St., Downtown, 614-867-5512; 1 W. Bridge St., Dublin, 614-7925364; 3998 Gramercy St., Easton, 614-4765364; 900 Mohawk St., German Village, 614445-6513; 1281 Grandview Ave., Grandview, 614-488-2680; 59 Spruce St., Short North, 614228-9960; 714 N. High St., Short North, 614294-5364. D $
Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream
A small ice cream shop offering traditional ice cream flavors such as chocolate and strawberry in addition to international flavors like anjeer, lychee and falooda kulfi, all made in-house. 1947 Hard Rd., Northwest Side, 614-766-2020. LD $
ETHIOPIAN
Addis Restaurant
The injera here is about as good as it gets with traditional Ethiopian dishes like tibs, kitfo, shiro wot and doro wot. 3750 Cleveland Ave., North Side, 614-269-8680. LD $$
Nile Vegan
Vegan meets Ethiopian at this restaurant, where customers can expect affordable combination plates of stewed or puréed veggies on injera. Go for the mushroom combo, a mushroom stew with curry split peas, a beet medley and Puy lentils. Don’t forget the chai. 1223 Goodale Blvd., Grandview, 614-223-1288. BLD $$
The Guild House
Watershed Kitchen & Bar
PHOTO: FRED SQUILLANTE
GASTROPUB
101 Beer Kitchen
At this expertly executed gastropub (its owners could school others in the art of developing a restaurant), craft brews are paired with madefrom-scratch, seasonal dishes. 7509 Sawmill Rd., Dublin, 614-210-1010; 397 Stoneridge Ln., Gahanna, 614-934-5501; 817 Polaris Pkwy., Westerville, 614-776-4775. BRLD $$
Arch City Tavern
A gastropub specializing in shareables, pizza and sandwiches, to go along with its wide selection of craft beer, wine and spirits. Weekend brunch specials include shrimp and grits and breakfast pizza. 862 N. High St., Short North, 614-7255620. BRLD $$$
The Pearl
Gastropub meets oyster bar at this Cameron Mitchell restaurant with a throwback vibe, craft beer and barrel-aged cocktails. 88 N. High St., Dublin, 614-695-6255; 641 N. High St., Short North, 614-227-0151. BRLD $$$
INDIAN/PAKISTANI
Aab India
Aab India boasts a large menu of authentic Northern Indian-style curry offerings, plus papadi chaat, chicken tandoori and shrimp bhuna. 1470 Grandview Ave., Grandview, 614486-2800. LD $$$
Awadh India Restaurant
Chef Anand Kumar provides authentic Lucknowi cuisine with fresh ingredients. The ample menu includes kebabs, Awadhi-style biryani, a large variety of curries and Indian breads. 2584 Bethel Rd., Northwest Side, 614-914-8884; 8736 Moreland St., Powell, 740-917-5306.. LD $$
Cumin & Curry Indian Kitchen
This Indian kitchen features food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, including a weekend lunch buffet. 4155 Morse Crossing, Easton, 614470-6975. LD $$
Haveli Bistro
Serving traditional Indian cuisine in the urban ambiance of Downtown, this bistro features classic dishes like saag paneer, goat biryani and tandoori chicken. Vegan options are also available. 185 N. High St., Downtown, 614-8675008. LD $$$
Neehee’s Indian Vegetarian Street Food
This lively, Michigan-based franchise offers a wide variety of vegetarian Indian fare. In addition to several variants on chaat, a traditional savory
snack, the large menu also includes IndoChinese dishes, sandwiches, veggie burgers, dosas, lassis and more. 6080 Sawmill Rd., Dublin, 614-389-6304. LD $
Rooh
This San Francisco import serves high-end, “progressive Indian” fare. Go for the inventive cocktails, buzzy atmosphere and conversationstoking dishes, such as sweet potato chaat, paneer pinwheels and lamb shank niharri. 685 N. High St., Short North, 614-972-8678. D $$$
ITALIAN
Ann & Tony’s Restaurant
A quaint family restaurant serving traditional, homemade Italian and American dishes, including chicken Parmesan, prime rib, spaghetti, seafood and homemade desserts. 211 E. Main St., West Side, 614-879-8897. LD $$
Claudiana Italian Restaurant
Tucked away in a shopping center is this white-tablecloth destination for classic ItalianAmerican fare, with pizzas, baked gnocchi, lasagna, spaghetti alla vongole, filet mignon and more. 8475 Sancus Blvd., Polaris, 614-8462236. D $$$
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Due Amici
Exposed brick walls and modern black and white furniture give this Downtown Italian eatery an upscale feel. 67 E. Gay St., Downtown, 614-224-9373. BRLD $$
La Tavola
Chef Rick Lopez owns this popular Old World Italian restaurant in Grandview. Dotted with green and yellow accents, the setting is open and welcoming. The food is seasonal, rustic Italian, with pizzas, housemade breads and pastas. 1664 W. First Ave., Grandview, 614-914-5455. D $$$
Martini Modern Italian
Cameron Mitchell’s classy Short North staple offers classic Italian cooking in a modern, vibrant setting. 445 N. High St., Short North, 614-2248259. D $$$
Pasqualone’s Ristorante
This hidden gem in Columbus Square Shopping Center serves Italian classics in a dining room where kitsch and fine dining collide. The veal dishes are the big star here. 5766 Emporium Square, North Side, 614-890-2070. D $$$$
Speck Italian Eatery
Chef Josh Dalton tackles rustic Italian fare at
this buzzy Downtown spot in the Nicholas building. The menu ranges from mortadella on house focaccia to rigatoni Amatriciana to scallop risotto. 89 N. High St., Downtown, 614754-8544. LD $$$
Villa Nova Ristorante
A family-owned Italian eatery that’s a local favorite for its red-sauce Italian cuisine (manicotti, lasagna and ravioli), no-frills pizza and ice-cold beer. 5545 N. High St., Worthington, 614-846-5777. LD $$
KOREAN
CM Chicken
Excellent Korean fried chicken is the specialty of this fast-growing chain. Try the snow onion chicken, curry chicken or charcoal-grilled tikkudak chicken. 1132 W. Henderson Rd., Northwest Side, 614-914-6144; 1510 Cross Creeks Blvd., Pickerington, 614-626-8898; 5947 S. Sunbury Road, Westerville, 614-392-2948. LD $$
Don Pocha Korean BBQ
A fun KBBQ spot where meat, seafood and vegetables are cooked at the table and paired with pickled side dishes (banchan) and dipping sauces. Flavorful Korean soups
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and stews round out the menu. 4710 Reed Rd., Upper Arlington, 614-459-9292. LD $$$
Gogi Korean BBQ
Gogi means “meat” in Korean, and that’s what you can expect (and lots of it) at this restaurant where diners can grill their own meat at the table. The expansive menu also includes bibimbap, grilled fish platters, soups and rice pancakes, plus Korean beers and liquors like makgeolli and soju. 1138 Bethel Rd., Northwest Side, 614-670-4790. LD $$$
So Gong Dong Tofu & BBQ
This Korean restaurant chain offers authentic cuisine, including soondubu jjigae, a savory and spicy tofu soup. 2950 Hayden Rd., Dublin, 614389-1050. LD $$
MEXICAN
Charritos Mexican Grill
Authentic Mexican food is the focus at this small café, where the corn tortillas are made inhouse and the menu includes al pastor tacos, chile relleno and seafood soup. 4740 Reed Rd., Upper Arlington, 614-929-5866. BLD $$
La Poblanita
A hidden gem for authentic tacos, tortas, burritos and quesadillas with seasonal specials such as the carne asada platter. Food Truck, 3825 Indianola Ave., Clintonville, 614-5989539. LD $
Los Agavez Taqueria
Authentic street tacos, tortas and more are served from this orange food truck at the corner of High and Pacemont. Don’t miss the popular birria tacos with consomé. Food Truck, 3166 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-206-7634. LD $
Los Agavez Taqueria
Creative Space
Byron Stripling
The artistic director for Columbus Jazz Orchestra has a special place he goes for inspiration—a room full of rare records.
By Peter Tonguette
Trumpet player and bandleader Byron Stripling gives audiences inspiration on stages whenever and wherever he performs, but when he finds himself in need of a jolt of jazz, there’s a special spot he has in Downtown Columbus.
Stripling, who since 2002 has been the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s artistic director, beats a path to the fourth floor of the Lincoln Theatre, home to the Jazz Arts Group, the parent organization of the CJO, and its Jazz Academy. The academy is the site of music education programs, and its record room—a vast collection of jazz albums in multiple formats—is open to all, including Stripling.
“Sometimes I just go in there to be inspired,” Stripling says. “It’s almost like you’ve got all your heroes and they’re on
this wall and they want you to explore them. It’s an open book, and all we have to do is press play.”
The record room, which was assembled several years ago, consists in large part of vintage albums that have been donated by jazz lovers. “These are people who kept their collections clean and tidy,” says Stripling, adding that the records’ value on the second-hand market is sometimes negligible, but their significance to jazz students and professionals is incalculable. “They realize somebody’s going to give them five bucks for them—why not just give it to a worthwhile thing?” he says.
Tall bookcases house countless compact discs and stacks of records of assorted speeds and sizes. Numerous legends are represented, from Billie Holiday to
Tommy Dorsey. “The hardest temptation is I want to take things home from there, but I can’t,” says Stripling, noting that the Jazz Academy does not allow its users to “borrow” any of its holdings.
Most albums can be heard on a record player in the room, but the organization has not yet acquired one that can play its rare 78rpm records. “We’ve got to hunt one down,” he says, pointing to 78s of Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles.
Sitting atop the bookcases are two albums for film scores, neither especially jazzy: Lawrence of Arabia and Mutiny on the Bounty—proof that the Jazz Academy’s selection is, like Stripling’s tastes, eclectic. “My welcome to people is to enjoy this table full of all this great art,” he says. ◆
Byron Stripling in the jazz record room at the Lincoln Theatre.
