10 Great Things About Marion

Because I work for Marion Community Foundation — a charitable organization that supports other local nonprofits — I spend time pondering what motivates people to get involved and to donate. I decided that if someone is going to give in their local community, then they probably need a good reason (or two…or ten). I think it is way too easy to focus on negative things around us and I’d like to offer my list of some things that make our “local” — Marion, Ohio – kind of special, and worth supporting. So, here’s my life-long-resident-of-Marion list of “10 Great Things About Marion.”

We helped put a man on the moon.

Did you know that? The Marion Power Shovel designed and built the NASA crawler-transporter which was used for both the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo programs for human exploration of the moon, as well as the Space Shuttle, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Because I work at Marion Community Foundation, it is my pride and pleasure to point out that we have 140+ scholarships to support area students’ higher education goals and are awarding a half million dollars to local students this year. Our future generation of scientists and educators starts here and now.

And, one in the White House.

We’re all familiar with Warren G. Harding. You have undoubtedly driven past his Home and Memorial, maybe on a daily basis. I don’t know about you, but I think it is quite amazing, regardless of your political leanings, to think that we had a local resident become PRESIDENT of the United States. The Marion Historical Site Visit Fund at Marion Community Foundation enables area school children to experience local history first-hand at the new Harding Presidential Sites — which Marion Community Foundation helped to support and continues to do so through the Warren G. Harding Home & Presidential Center Endowment Fund.

And, a woman in Washington.

Mary Ellen Withrow went from Elgin School Board member to County Treasurer to State Treasurer to Treasurer of the United States. She is the ONLY person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government — local, state and national. She still lived in Marion and started s scholarship fund at Marion Community Foundation for female students pursing political science careers. And, she very generously gives to support a number of causes in Marion.

We really know how to entertain.

Anyone who has spent time in Marion knows the Palace Theatre. The number of shows and top name performers who have graced the stage in Marion is mind-boggling. The Palace entertains us, educates our children, and allows our creative juices to flow. There are more than a dozen funds at Marion Community Foundation which directly benefit and support the Palace and the performing arts.

We have a great town and gown relationship.

Marion is a college town. We have not one, but TWO institutions of higher learning. Since 1957, The Ohio State University has been part of the community, and Marion Technical College since 1971. Both schools offer excellent educational opportunities to area residents and beyond. They also support the training needs of our local employers, offer public lectures and programs on a great variety of topics, and are a source of expertise in a myriad of academic disciplines. Both have endowment funds at Marion Community Foundation and we proudly support both with grants.

We have loyal employers.

I’m giving a shoutout to loyal companies like Whirlpool Corporation, who have impacted my family a great deal. My father worked at Whirlpool for 37 years. In our house, if Whirlpool makes it, we buy Whirlpool. Every. Single. Appliance. They have been a part of the Marion community since 1955, employ about 2,500 people locally, and produce 9.2 million dryers a year. Hundreds of local families, just like mine, have benefitted from this major employer. And, Whirlpool has donated thousands upon thousands of dollars to community programs, not to mention their substantial scholarship program. Their corporate matching gifts program allows philanthropic employees to double their charitable gifts, as was done in the creation of the Rick & Nancy Poorman Fund and the Poorman Palace Theatre Fund at Marion Community Foundation. And, Marion is always welcoming to more employers.

We are an active community.

Want to see a thousand of the same people every day? Swim, workout, play basketball, and take fitness classes all under one roof? The place you are looking for is the Wopat Family YMCA. We’ve had a Y in Marion since 1892 (that’s a long time). The current facility has classes, programs, and facilities for an amazing array of health and wellness activities. Seriously, I even learned to scuba dive there, and play an addictive little game called Pickleball. The Y is a great resource. They are always trying to improve and expand. I hope more people will join Marion Community Foundation in supporting the Y.

We love the outdoors.

Speaking of walking an outdoor trail, Marion has a gem in the Tallgrass Trail off Holland Road. This is a huge project on the part of Prairie Parks and is a wonderful place to exercise, have fun, and get into nature. Tallgrass follows an old railroad corridor and, over the last several years, has been extremely successful in paving and expanding the trail for people to walk, bike, and skate their way through 12 miles of western Marion County. Even if you don’t want to explore the trail, you can sit on the deck overlooking Foundation Lake (yep, Marion Community Foundation again!) and enjoy the abundant wildlife and the serenity of the water. The Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in grants to Tallgrass to develop this community resource, most recently the walking path around the lake.

We take care of our own.

Marion has dozens of active nonprofit organizations to help smooth the bumps in life’s road. From the homeless shelters, Turning Point, and Habitat for Humanity to the Red Cross, Children’s Services, churches, and more, we have people and organizations who care about Marion. This is one of the greatest things about working for Marion Community Foundation. Our endowed funds support dozens of these charitable organizations and help them help people. We have more than 450 funds at the Foundation and, in our 25th anniversary year, achieved the milestone of having awarded $25 million in community grants and scholarships. At Marion Community Foundation, it is easy to understand that giving is better than receiving. And, we are so thankful for and proud of our donors who make this possible.

We are extremely generous.

Given that I work for Marion Community Foundation, you probably saw this one coming. But, it is so true. Even in challenging economic times, the people of Marion continue to give generously to charities and causes. We all know the importance of helping those in need and supporting future generations. There are fundraisers all the time to help both causes and individuals and there are nonprofit organizations, like those I mentioned previously, that help people every day. And, yes, there is Marion Community Foundation who, through the generosity of many donors, gives regularly to support and improve the quality of life in Marion. So, if you want to “give local,” you have a lot of choices and opportunities to do so.

If you have received help, if you know someone who needs some support, if you are proud of Marion, give local. Give money, give time, just give. The people of Marion are worth it. If you want to do so through Marion Community Foundation, just call us – 740-387-9704 – or visit us inside the historic Stengel-True Mansion at 504 S. State St.

–By Lori S. Stevenson