DAYTON, OH — The United Way of the Greater Dayton Area (UWGDA) is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated 5th Annual Strong Families Classic Golf Outing. Benefiting families throughout the Greene County area, the charity tournament will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the premier Beavercreek Golf Club.
For over 100 years, the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area (UWGDA) has led a united community effort to uplift neighbors across Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties. By supporting vital programs and services offered by local organizations, UWGDA works daily to build a stronger, more resilient region. Event proceeds will directly benefit UWGDA’s Strong Families initiative, an impactful program focusing on housing security, academic success, and economic mobility to help local families thrive.
Golfers and community members are invited to hit the links for a day filled with camaraderie and a shared community purpose. Beavercreek Golf Club is a premier public course offering top-tier amenities, including a beautifully maintained 18-hole course, a full-service driving range, and professional practice greens.
Participants will enjoy a dynamic day on the course featuring a variety of specialty contests and challenges. Highlights include the high-energy Air Cannon Challenge, the Dixon Fiesta Bowl Hole-in-One Contest, and the Aurelius Challenge. Players will also go head-to-head in traditional longest drive and closest-to-the-pin competitions. The day will conclude with an official awards ceremony and a recognition luncheon hosted by popular local Emcee Dan Edwards.
This year’s tournament is made possible through the continued generous support of Presenting Sponsors SRC, Inc. and SierTek, Ltd.
Additional key community support includes:
Birdie Sponsors: Rodriguez Financial Services (Ask Rafi), McCalister’s Deli, IH Credit Union, BI-SI Solutions, and Harley-Davidson of Xenia.
Par Sponsors: CDO Technologies, IUE/CWA, and Beavercreek Rotary.
Hole Sponsors: CareSource, Joe & Amanda Jenkins, Lampton, Engle & Associates Insurance, Reynolds Machinery, I Supply Company, City Barbeque, Fairborn Lions, Fairborn Rotary, and the Fairborn Chamber
Event Schedule & Details:
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Location: Beavercreek Golf Club, 2800 New Germany Trebein Road
8:00 a.m. – Registration, Driving Range Opens & Breakfast
To register to play, sign up as a volunteer, or explore remaining corporate sponsorship opportunities, please visit the official event page at charitygolftoday.com/strongfamilies2026. For more on the United Way, visit, www.Dayton-UnitedWay.org or call (937) 225-3001.
(Video production services provided by GLD Communications)
XENIA — Cyclists, families and community supporters are invited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this fall at the United Way Americana 250 Cycling Classic, set for Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.
The event combines cycling, local history and family fun while raising money for the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area, serving Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties. Registration is now open, with four routes designed for everyone from casual family riders to experienced cyclists seeking a metric century challenge.
The rides will begin and end at the fairgrounds, located at 120 Fairground Road in Xenia, and are part of the well-known Tour de Gem Cycling Series. Greene County serves as the centerpiece of the event because of its extensive paved trail network, the largest in the nation.
Participants can choose from the 10-mile Liberty Ride for families, the 25-mile Pioneer Expedition, the 40-mile Heritage Quest, or the 64-mile Patriot Tour, a metric century route connecting several Greene County communities. But organizers emphasize that the event is about more than cycling.
While riders pay a registration fee, the on-site fairgrounds festivities, known as the Heritage Hub, will be free and open to the public. Visitors can enjoy food trucks, vendor displays, demonstrations and the Young Explorer Zone, featuring a bike course designed especially for small children.
“This event is a celebration of community, history and healthy living,” said Tom Kelley, President and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area. “Whether you ride 10 miles or 64, volunteer, sponsor the event or simply bring your family out to enjoy the Heritage Hub, you’re helping us strengthen our community while celebrating this important milestone in our nation’s history.”
Businesses and organizations still have time to get involved. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor booths remain available, giving companies a chance to showcase their products and services while supporting a regional cause. Sponsorship levels range from major corporate partnerships to rest stop sponsorships, while vendor spaces are available in multiple sizes.
Community participation will be key to making the inaugural event a success. Kelley said “United Way really wants this to become a signature event for Greene County and the Miami Valley because it’s an opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our shared heritage and invest in programs that improve lives throughout our region.”
All proceeds from the Americana 250 Cycling Classic will benefit programs and services of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area, supporting initiatives focused on youth opportunity, financial security, health and community resiliency throughout Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties.
Event organizers say they hope the day will bring together cyclists, families, local businesses and history enthusiasts alike for a celebration that honors the past while investing in the future. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia. Registration, sponsorship information and vendor applications are now available. For more information, visit https://www.dayton-unitedway.org/americana-250-cycling-classic.
Sponsors include The Dayton Foundation, Trek Dayton, CareSource, Greene County Convention and Visitors Bureau, GLD Communications, Warriors On Wheels, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Media requests should be directed to GLD Communications, the official public relations agency for the event.
When we think about what makes a child healthy and safe, a bed might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for many families in Greene County, something as simple as a bed can change everything.
On Friday, November 7, a group of volunteers, donors, and community leaders gathered at the Morris Home Furniture warehouse in Fairborn to do just that—change lives, one mattress at a time. The event was part of the “Hope to Dream” campaign, a partnership between the United Way of Greater Dayton Area’s Greene County office, the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Morris Home Furniture, donors, and volunteers. Together, they provided more than 60 beds and two cribs for families in need—complete with frames, box springs, and linens.
As volunteers lined up trucks and trailers outside the Morris Furniture warehouse, volunteers braved darkening November skies and looming rain to load and deliver beds across Fairborn. Inside, organizers smiled through the bustle, knowing the difference those deliveries would make before the day was over.
“We are proud to host this Hope to Dream event for the Fairborn community,” said Robert Klaben, executive vice president of Morris Furniture Company. “We’ve been doing this kind of work for more than 20 years, and it’s gratifying to know that kids will be sleeping in their own beds tonight.” For some children, that’s a first.
According to the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, more than 2.2 million children in the United States don’t have a bed of their own—many sleeping on couches, air mattresses, or even the floor. Research shows that children who sleep well are more likely to perform better in school, develop emotionally and socially, and enjoy better long-term health. Lack of adequate sleep, on the other hand, can contribute to anxiety, behavioral struggles, and difficulty focusing while in class. That’s why Hope to Dream is about more than furniture—it’s about dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive.
“This is an opportunity to give children something that belongs to them,” said Tom Kelley, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Dayton Area. “A bed gives them a sense of identity, safety, and security. It allows them to rest and dream, moving them out of often unsafe or unstable conditions. That’s very important to their development—and their hope.”
Now in its third year serving Greene County, Hope to Dream has become a signature partnership among the United Way, Fairborn FISH Pantry, and Morris Home Furniture. It also continues to grow thanks to an increasing network of local partners, including CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, International Harvester Credit Union, Joseph and Amanda Jenkins, Jamie’s Tire & Service, Kroger, and others.
“This year we had so many generous people come together to make it happen,” said Rebecca Cantrell, Greene County Director for United Way of Greater Dayton. “Linens have already been delivered and Kroger donated gift baskets. The Greene County Public Library provided books so every child can start a library of their own. They’ll have everything they need for a good night’s sleep.”
(Left to Right) Jane Doorley, Executive Director of Fairborn FISH Pantry, Rebecca Cantrell, Greene County Director, United Way of Greater Dayton, Robert Klaben, Executive Vice President, Morris Home Furniture, Tom Kelley, CEO, United Way of Greater Dayton
At the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Executive Director Jane Doorley has seen firsthand how a simple gift like a bed can transform a family’s outlook.
“When families come to FISH, we talk to them,” Doorley said. “Some tell us their children are sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed with a parent. Others have just moved into their own apartment after struggling for years, but they have nothing to sleep on. The impact of getting their own bed is huge.”
She remembers one little dark-haired girl from last year’s event. “When she saw her bed, she was like, ‘Is this mine? Do I get to keep it?’ She couldn’t believe it, a bed that’s really hers.”
Doorley also recalled a mother who told her, “Once I got beds for my children, it was like a black cloud lifted. I felt like things were going to be okay. I was able to get a job, and my family’s just happier now.” That’s what hope looks like.
Hope to Dream reaches families, in part, through referrals from community programs like Greene County Family and Children First, which provides case management for United Way’s Strong Families program.
“Our mission is to help families increase their financial stability and meet basic needs,” said Brent Lewis, the agency’s director and chair of the Greene County Advisory Board for United Way. “Helping kids have a safe place to sleep at night is part of that. It’s foundational.”
By the end of the day, every bed and crib had found a home. And as rain fell over Fairborn, there were dozens of children drifting off to sleep—many for the first time—in a space of their own, under warm blankets, dreaming new dreams.
It may seem like a small thing, but for these families, it’s a turning point. Because sometimes, hope starts with something as simple as a bed. **
So many great partners helped out to make this event possible…
How You Can Help
United Way of Greater Dayton Area Visit www.dayton-unitedway.org to learn more or donate. Phone: (937) 225-3001
Fairborn FISH Pantry Provides food and household assistance to Fairborn families in need. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. Location: 1149 N. Broad St., Fairborn, OH 45324 Phone: (937) 879-1313
Morris Home Furniture – Hope to Dream Program A portion of every mattress purchase helps fund a bed for a child in need. Learn more at www.morrisathome.com.
It is entirely possible that I spent too much time in this work writing about my parents. We have all had remarkable people in our lives, and my immediate family just happened to be some of the most extraordinary people in my life. With the holidays just around the corner, I wanted to relate a story that has almost become folklore.
The story begins in the late 1950s, sometime before I came along. My father was a machinist at National Cash Register, NCR, one of the largest employers in Ohio, if not the entire state. He also had what we would call side hustles. He would haul scrap metal to make ends meet, a good business when more efficient options were replacing the old cast-iron coal furnaces. Selling them for scrap was hard work but profitable. He also did concrete work and other odd jobs to help create a stable life for his family. To Dad, it was the kind of life he never had growing up in the foothills of the Appalachian and Southeastern Ohio.
While he was working, my mother raised her children, made a home for them all, and took care of the day-to-day operations of the household. She was one of the hardest working people I ever knew, even back then. But no matter how hard they worked, there were years when there just wasn’t enough money.
Around Christmas time, during a particularly lean year, the prospect of a happy Christmas looked grim. My brother was in Boy Scouts then, and my father was an assistant scoutmaster. Someone within the organization learned of my family’s financial difficulties. Shortly before Christmas, some people arrived at our house with food and gifts for all four. I remember my mother talking about it through tears as if someone had lifted them from a heavy darkness. She was eternally grateful, as was my father.
As the years went on, times got better for my family. Regardless of how little we had at any given time, I remember my parents always doing what they could to help those less fortunate. That brings me to Christmas of 1988.
That particular year, my dad learned of a nearby family that had fallen on hard times. The father had lost his industrial job, and the mother worked part-time while both did their best to raise their three small children. My mother immediately went into action.
Mobilizing the pre-Internet communications network within our family, she reorganized that year’s party into a relief event for the distressed family. With a little investigation and intuitive guesswork, my family collected information on the parents’ needs, clothing sizes, ages, and children’s interests. We even had people trying to find employment for the young father.
Our annual Christmas party, already a real show complete with music, songs, games, and dancing Santa, took on a whole new look. The price of admission was a donation. A list had been distributed informing everyone about what was needed and providing a way to let my mom know who was contributing what. With each person who arrived for the party came more toys, clothes, games, and food items. We even collected some cash.
On Christmas Eve, we loaded everything into a van, Santa riding shotgun, and headed for the family’s house. When we knocked on the door, we were greeted by a tiny three-year-old girl in a yellow onesie, a couple of toes poking out of the worn feet. She squealed away as she soaked in the sight of Santa Claus at her doorstep. To maintain the dignity of these hard-working people, there must be no clue where all this originated. My family were simply asked to deliver it to them.
My parents taught us by example. Kindness at the holidays should be the same throughout the year. Still, there is a gentleness during the Christmas season. We were under no illusions that a few gifts and boxes of mac and cheese would change the lives of this family. But at least, for one special holiday, they were together, safe, and they knew they mattered to someone. Sometimes, that’s enough to see you through the worst of times. Hopefully, we can all remember that year-round.
Author’s Note: A short story is based on my family’s charitable work. It’s called “A Special Place at a Special Time” and is available on Amazon. However, a revised version will be released shortly.
Gallery: The photos include pictures of the farm, the long lane that was decorated each year, Gary Deer Jr. as Santa and some of the later parties. Each one generated food, clothing, and other necessities for a local family. A few times, they were people in our own family – because that’s what you do.
How the front of the farmhouse generally appeared at Christmas. The post that originally held the vegetable stand sign. This was taken in 2014 and is not photoshopped. It’s all real.The fireplace in “The Band Room” at the farm. The room was added because so ma ny people wanted to attend the Christmas parties.This is how the Christmas tree was arranged in our tiny farmhouse basement in the early days.The charitable parties eventually led to the creation of The Brothers & Co., our family’s band. We’ve performed all over the region at festivals, theatres, and even The Schuster Center.
TCN clients can now access SUN Clinics on Tuesdays from 1pm to 4pm and Fridays from 10am to 1pm.
Bellefontaine, Ohio – January 9, 2024 – TCN Behavioral Health Services, Inc. announces the opening of its second See U Now (or “SUN”) Clinic on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The clinic, located physically in the Bellefontaine office at 118 Maple Avenue, will be open weekly on Tuesdays from 1pm to 4pm and can see clients both in person and via telehealth.
TCN’s first SUN Clinic opened on January 6, 2023 in TCN’s Xenia office, and in 2023 provided 434 services to 262 clients both in person and via telehealth. The SUN Clinic is intended to serve clients without a prior appointment as their need arises. A Clinic Coordinator works with the client to choose the services they wish to receive from a multi-disciplinary team of providers including nursing, psych, MAT, primary care, substance use and mental health counseling, case management and peer support. The Clinic accepts all payment options including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay. As with all TCN services, local board funding is available for clients who qualify.
“TCN is always proud of our innovative practice to meet clients where they are, and the SUN Clinic is another example of this,” says TCN CEO Lori Strobl. “SUN’s motto is “nothing about you, without you” and its mission is to empower the client to be in control of their healthcare and truly partner with their clinical team.”
“We are very excited to welcome this new model of behavioral health care to our communities,” says Dr. Adam Sorensen, Executive Director of the Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties. “TCN’s SUN Clinic approach has a proven track record, and it is a perfect example of TCN’s commitment to offering high-quality, person-centered care. We appreciate TCN’s ongoing partnership and willingness to be innovative with our shared goals of improving access and quality of care in our neighborhoods.”
Founded in 1990, TCN Behavioral Health Services, Inc. is a comprehensive behavioral health agency dedicated to improving lives by providing clinically excellent and accessible behavioral health services. TCN provides mental health, substance use and psychiatric services for adults and youth in Logan and Champaign counties. For more information or to donate to TCN call (937)376-8700 or visit http://www.tcn.org.
Greeneview High School to receive funds earned during the Oct. 6 High School Sports Digital Fundraiser
JAMESTOWN, OHIO– McDonald’s owner-operators throughout Ohio will be raising funds for local high school athletic programs, including Greeneview High School, on October 6. During the High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day, 20 percent of all sales purchased through the McDonald’s app will be donated to local sports programs.
High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day was created by local McDonald’s owners/operators in Ohio as a way to support high school athletics in the communities they serve. Each locally owned McDonald’s restaurant has chosen a high school in their community to donate 20 percent of all sales on October 6. Each identified high school will receive a minimum of $250.
“We are proud to be a part of the Jamestown community,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator Nick Epifano. “This is the first time all Ohio area owner-operators have come together on one day to show our support for athletics in the communities we serve. Our hope is that the community will come out to support their local high school and help us make the High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day a success throughout the state.”
The McDonald’s app is available for download in the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play Store. With the McDonald’s app, customers get access to exclusive deals, they can order ahead and pass the line with Mobile Order & Pay, plus they can join MyMcDonald’s Rewards to earn points on every order to redeem for free McDonald’s.
As always, customers can customize their orders to match their personal taste preferences, including asking for no onions or pickles or holding the sauce on their favorite burger.
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
The 5 events will take place as shown below: Monday July 31, 4-6 pm TCN Troy 1021 N. Market Street Tuesday August 1, 4-6 pm TCN Fairborn 1825 Commerce Center Blvd. Wednesday August 2, 4-6 pm TCN Bellefontaine 118 Maple Avenue Thursday, August 3, 4-6 pm TCN Xenia 452 W. Market Street Friday, August 4, 4-6pm TCN Urbana 1522 E. US Hwy 36
TCN annually collects school supplies and donations for the children in their service areas. In 2022 they provided supplies to more than 300 children and hope to expand that reach in 2023. The 5 distribution events listed above will include free pizza and beverages as well as school supplies while supplies last.
“New school supplies are essential to help prepare students for a successful year and support teachers in the classrooms,” says Tom Otto, TCN’s Associate CEO. “We hope that people will help TCN get more school supplies into the hands of more kids by donating and volunteering at the distribution events.”
TCN accepts donations of school supplies at all locations, or donors can shop the School Supply Drive Amazon Wishlist to have supplies shipped directly to TCN for preparation and distribution. The organization also accepts monetary donations at https://tcn.jotform.com/202296368911965 by selecting “school supply drive” in the dropdown menu. Volunteers can get sign up to help at their local events here: https://tcn.jotform.com/223056028945962.
Founded in 1990, TCN Behavioral Health Services, Inc. is a comprehensive behavioral health agency dedicated to improving lives by providing clinically excellent and accessible behavioral health services. TCN provides mental health, substance use, and psychiatric services for adults and youth in Miami, Greene, Montgomery, Logan, and Champaign counties. For more information or to donate to TCN call (937)376-8700 or visit www.tcn.org.
The sixth annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT, at Beavercreek Golf Club, in Beavercreek, Ohio. Proceeds will provide an opportunity for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Cadets in Greene County, Ohio to attend an exclusive 1-Day Air Camp adventure including flying with an instructor pilot. Full details are available at https://www.askrafi.com/events/6th-annual-rafis-amigos-golf-outing.
6th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing will benefit the participation of JROTC Cadets at Air Camp USA
Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing golf scramble fundraiser is the brainchild of Jose “Rafi” Rodriguez, Colonel, United States Air Force, (retired), president of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC. “I started Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing to raise funds for causes dear to my heart, such as the United Way, and now, Air Camp, which will support Junior ROTC cadets in Greene County, Ohio,” Rodriguez said. Please see the full video below with interviews and event details.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Rodriguez joined the Air Force ROTC at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, where he was a distinguished graduate. After a 26-year career in the Air Force, Rodriguez retired as a senior officer while serving at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.
Rodriguez proudly chose the name Rafi’s Amigos for the event because ‘amigo’ is the Spanish word for ‘friend.’ “I consider this an event where friends come together, old friends or new friends, to support a common cause in our community,” Rodriguez explained.
His choice to work with Air Camp this year was a natural partnership given Rodriguez’s background, the region, and the goal of the event – to support the community. “The JROTC program offers education in citizenship, self-respect, goal-setting, and prioritizing things throughout life. They will carry those lessons with them into whatever future they pursue.”
Air Camp provides the opportunity for these cadets to experience STEM-based aviation activities, including the science of flight. Based in Dayton, Ohio, Air Camp, Inc., was founded in 2006 by Dr. Vince Russo and Dick Reynolds, Lieutenant General (Retired) USAF.
Organizer and Primary Sponsor of Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing, Jose “Rafi” Rodriguez, Colonel, United States Air Force, (retired), president of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC
Russo currently serves as the President and Chairman of the organization. “Early on, we decided to use aviation as the learning medium because the real language of aviation is math,” he said. “Our goal is to help the students understand the importance of STEM (science technology engineering math) and inspire them to pursue careers related to those fields.”
Each participant spends one week in a curriculum that puts STEM in the context of aviation and aeronautics. Students meet scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory and experience the National Museum of the United States Air Force as well as other aviation heritage sites.
Not all students who participate in Air Camp are bound for the military, but the experience is highly beneficial to those in a Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) program. More information about Air Camp is available at aircampusa.org.
This year’s presenting sponsors are White Allen Chevrolet and White Allen Volkswagen in Dayton and the official public relations and media production sponsor for the event is GLD Communications, of Jamestown, Ohio. For more information, to become a sponsor or donate, go online to Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing.
Learn more about the event, its founder, Air Camp, and our presenting sponsor!
Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards was held on November 17, at Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Chamber CEO Wendy Rodgers, opened the event by reflecting on the success of the past year and recognized valuable community partners, expressing the organization’s vision moving forward into 2023.
“We have some amazing members in our chamber and the award selection was a challenge this year,” Rodgers said. “I’m grateful for the support and participation of all of our award winners and we hope recognition will encourage more participation in the chamber and the business community we serve.”
The Annual Award Winners for 2022 are as follows:
(Pictured left to right)
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Jessica Miller, TrueNorth Global Training Institute Awarded to an individual who is active and engaged with the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce. A member who has performed exemplary acts to promote the mission of the chamber throughout the year.
Chamber Young Professional of the Year – Matt Peck, Atomi Financial Awarded to a member in good standing, between the ages of 21 and 40. One who is active and engaged with the Beavercreek Chamber, looking to strengthen and enhance their leadership abilities.
Outstanding Chamber Business of the Year – Back to Business I.T. An active and engaged member of the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce, located in Beavercreek as well as positively impacted the Beavercreek business community.
Gussie Jones Civic Award – Beaver Creek Wetlands Association Awarded to an individual or organization having performed outstanding service for the betterment of the Beavercreek Community. Must possess characteristics including honesty, sincerity, and integrity.
Military Award (In Memory of Ret. Col. Len Holihan) – Ret. Col. Rafi Rodriguez, Rodriguez Financial Awarded to an individual or organization, also a member of the Beavercreek Chamber who has enhanced the relationship between the Beavercreek Community and the military.
E.G. Shaw Lifetime Achievement Award – Don Adams (not pictured) Awarded to an individual who has exemplified the character and memory of E.G. Shaw: service to others, characteristics including honesty, sincerity, and integrity. One who has performed outstanding service for the betterment of the Beavercreek Community.
The event also featured the premier presentation of the Beavercreek Chamber’s first Business Development Grant, funded in part by BCC Annual Gold Sponsor, Back To Business IT. “The purpose of the grant is to provide business capital and promote growth through increased capacity, the addition of a new venture, or to fund other expansion,” Rodgers said. “We hope to increase the amount of the grant and support more local companies each year.”
The first recipient of the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Business Development Grant is Patrick Stilwell for his company, 937 Home Inspection. Stilwell applied for the grant to purchase the necessary training and equipment to conduct radon gas measurements with his current home inspections. This grant will allow him to be able to begin this process, increasing his profit per inspection by just over 24 percent. Additionally, the funds will allow the company to serve clients more comprehensively, retain more revenue within the City of Beavercreek, and create a safer community by detecting this harmful gas sooner for residents.
BCC GRANT AWARD 2022 WINNER – Patrick Stilwell, 937 Home Inspection
Rodgers also officially announced the promotion of Operations Manager Chris McClure to Vice President in recognition of his dedication and service since taking the job in 2021. “Chris is my right hand,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think we would be where we are today without his hard work, and the promotion is well deserved.”
For more information on the annual awards, and the Business Development Grant, or to join the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce, go online to www.beavercreekchamber.org.
Free Legal Chat educational series went live in October and includes a podcast companion.
Xenia, Ohio November 6, 2019 — Jamestown-based marketing firm, GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd., has produced a series of informational videos and companion podcasts for the Greene County Council On Aging. Titled, “GCCOA Legal Chat,” each program covers a common legal question affecting seniors and caregivers, ranging from wills and probate to guardianship. The videos are now available free of charge on the GCCOA’s YouTube channel and the audio programs can be found by searching for “Greene County Council on Aging” on most podcast streaming services such as Spotify and Stitcher. Direct Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseUznkCiXQ_lUMgMQKN-xQ
GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd. is a strategic, creative marketing agency founded in 1998 by Gery writer/entrepreneur Gery L. Deer. The firm provides everything from business consulting, public relations and branding to digital marketing, content creation and campaign implementation. The agency expanded in January of 2019 to include in-house audio and video production overseen by Julie Barth, who joined the firm at that time as Media Director.
“I’ve been a caregiver to both my parents over the last decade and I produced these programs with people like me in mind,” said Gery Deer, GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd. Owner and Creative Director. “The Greene County Council on Aging does a wonderful job helping inform and educate seniors and caregivers and this series is just another in a long history of that commitment.”
The Greene County Council on Aging is a not-for-profit, county-wide organization that promotes independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers. GCCOA was originally established in 1979 and is governed by a Board of Directors. The Council’s primary funding source is the 1.4 mil Senior Services Levy renewed in 2019.
GCCOA provides a broad range of services and programs, including the Partners in Care (PIC) care management program, the Kinship Navigator Program (for grandparents raising grandchildren and other individuals raising someone else’s child), educational and support programs for caregivers, a caregiver resource center, and service grants to area senior centers and other service providers.
Each video and podcast features GCCOA Benefits Coordinator, Susan Allen, speaking with Attorney Dave Cusack, of Cusack Law Offices in Beavercreek, Ohio. The series was designed to supplement the GCCOA’s live informational sessions to offer valuable the same information to those who are unable to attend in person.
The Jamestown Comet 