Washington County, OH – One year ago today, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 had been elevated to pandemic status. While at the time, the world was uncertain of what would follow, many began to take action to prepare for the potential consequences… including Marietta Community Foundation.

“We were able to act quickly and efficiently when the pandemic affected our community,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of the Foundation. “We want Washington County to know that we are still here to help in any way we can.”

The Foundation continues to follow through on this promise. After receiving 23 grant applications for their Spring Grant Cycle, the Foundation went to work reviewing each submission. While many applications were focused on upcoming projects and programs, three of the applications were expedited because they were COVID-19 related requests:

• Memorial Health Foundation

Marietta Community Foundation entered into a $15,000 collaborative grant with Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Sisters Health Foundation to purchase medical tents for drive-through COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

• Salem Volunteer Township Fire Department

Marietta Community Foundation awarded $1,000 to the Salem Township Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of personal protection equipment. This equipment will enable the volunteers to continue saving lives while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19.

•  The O’Neill Senior Center

Marietta Community Foundation has given approximately $12,000 to The O’Neill Center’s Senior Feeding Program since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Foundation expedited an additional $2,000 to allow O’Neill to continue this program through March, bringing the total to roughly $14,000.

“This last year has been a difficult one for many reasons,” said Allender, “but we have been there to help Washington County every step of the way… and that’s not ever going to change."

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives. If you would like to support the Foundation in its efforts to better Washington County, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.