Shifting the Focus from Selfies to Selflessness: $50,000 in Awards Celebrate Washington County’s Generosity
Photo by Gwen Sour, Marietta Times Reporter
Marietta Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the success of the 2024 #UnSelfie Nonprofit Challenge, proudly sponsored by Superior Toyota. This year's event was a dynamic and inspiring celebration of community generosity, including a record-breaking $50,000 in prizes for local nonprofits.
Since its inception in 2015, Marietta Community Foundation’s Annual Nonprofit Challenge has served as a cornerstone of our mission to uplift and support local nonprofits. This year, the challenge took on a unique format, inviting participants to submit #UnSelfies — photos that highlight selfless acts of kindness, service, and generosity, rather than focusing on the individual. Through this fresh perspective, the challenge showcased the power of giving and volunteering in Washington County.
“The overwhelming response to this year’s #UnSelfie Challenge has been nothing short of amazing,” said Heather Allender, President and CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “The creativity, spirit, and generosity demonstrated by our community was truly inspiring. This challenge perfectly captured the essence of what makes Washington County so special.”
From October 1st to November 13th, 2024, over 5,000 #UnSelfies were submitted, each representing an act of kindness or volunteerism that helps strengthen our community. A total of $50,000 was awarded to the following deserving nonprofits:
1st Place ($15,000): O'Neill Center
2nd Place ($10,000): Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C)
3rd Place ($8,000): WASCO, Inc.
4th Place ($6,000): Belpre Area Ministries
5th Place ($4,000): GoPacks
6th Place ($3,000): Humane Society of the Mid-Ohio Valley
In addition to the main prizes, four $1000 auxiliary prizes were awarded for outstanding participation:
Most Submissions on October 1st: GoPacks
Most Submissions on October 22nd: BB2C
Most Social Media Tags of the Foundation: WASCO, Inc.
Drawing Among All Participants: Betsey Mills Club
Connie Huntsman, Executive Director of O'Neill Center, expressed her appreciation for the first-place prize, “We at the O’Neill Center are deeply grateful to Marietta Community Foundation for their unwavering support. Through their commitment to our mission, we’re able to empower older adults to live HIP—Healthy, Independent, and Productive lives. This generous award will help us continue our vital work in the community.”
Lisa Stone, representative of Belpre Area Ministries, shared her gratitude for the recognition, “We truly enjoyed participating in the #UnSelfie Challenge and were so surprised and thankful to win one of the top prizes. This generous gift from Marietta Community Foundation will go a long way in supporting our mission, and we are so grateful to our supporters who made this possible.”
Britani Merritt, Donor and Program Services Director at Marietta Community Foundation, reflected on the challenge's impact: “The #UnSelfie Challenge was a perfect example of how important collaboration and service are in our community. It was so inspiring to witness the passion and dedication of our local nonprofits and their supporters.”
“This year’s #UnSelfie Challenge was a beautiful reminder of the power of community,” Heather Allender concluded. “It’s a celebration of kindness, generosity, and the lasting impact we can make when we work together. To all who participated, shared their #UnSelfie, or supported a nonprofit, thank you for making this year’s challenge a success.”
Marietta Community Foundation is deeply grateful for the ongoing support from Superior Toyota and everyone who contributed to the success of the 2024 #UnSelfie Challenge. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empower local nonprofits, inspire acts of kindness, and enrich the lives of those who call Washington County home.