Marietta Community Foundation hosted its 4th Annual Event yesterday evening, welcoming many donors and supporters across Marietta, Washington County and the Mid-Ohio Valley.

"Our partnerships are everything," commented Heather Allender, President & CEO, "Through our partnerships, we speak with one voice. We are heard."

For the second year in a row, the Foundation recognized three individuals, businesses and organizations for their outstanding contributions.

Ron and Louise Holmes receive the 2018 Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year for an individual or family. Louise is a past board member of the Foundation who has also assisted numerous local nonprofits and been involved in so many ways in the area. She is known for her creative thinking and willingness to help her community.

Additionally, the Holmes family has supported the Building Bridges to Career Epicenter and hold a variety of charitable funds with the Foundation.

Solvay Specialty Polymers received the 2018 Philanthropist of the Year for a business, recognizing their philanthropic impact on our community.

Since Solvay has joined their philanthropic efforts with the Foundation in October, 2016, we have helped them process more than 185 grants that have benefitted the entire Mid-Ohio Valley.

They are certainly a business that we can always count on for their generosity to our local nonprofits and individuals in need.

Tasha Werry, Executive Director of Building Bridges to Careers, was present to accept the 2018 Innovation in Grantmaking Award for her work in establishing the Epicenter Makerspace.

Even before opening the doors to the Epicenter in March, the Building Bridges to Careers program has done a great deal to further workforce development in our area. The Epicenter has welcomed; 8 small businesses in the incubator, provided coaching services to 24 businesses, and created 20 jobs for local businesses.

Not only does the Epicenter provide services and training for new or growing businesses, they also offer classes throughout each month on painting, laser cutting, 3D printing and so much more. In fact, the vases for the centerpieces at the event, were created using 3D printers.

In addition to their outstanding efforts, our awardees this year all highlight the importance of collaboration. Partnerships like these help us pool resources, make more connections to address the greatest community needs, and bring the whole community together.