By BARBARA BARBIERI
LiGHTEN UP! 2024 was celebrated by the members of the group Friday evening at Timber Ridge Event Center. Groups who received grants from LiGHT reported on their use, and Julie Meitzler, assistant superintendent at Bluffton-Harrision Metropolitan Schools, spoke.
Kim Gentis reported that over the years, LiGHT has been able to award over $95,000 in grants to organizations that serve women and children in the county. Membership in the group is $25, half of which goes into an endowment — now at $130,000 — and the rest is available for grants. All expenses for the group are covered by the Wells County Foundation. LiGHT currently has 289 members.
The group’s steering committee has become active in two other projects — the Wells County Prom Dress Exchange and the Weekend Backpack program. In addition, they’ve partnered with the Wells County Women in Leadership program which offers meaningful programs for women.
Jessica Beste introduced representatives from the organizations who had received grants in 2023.
The groups included:
• The Adams Wells Crisis Center — assisted a homeless mother and child find a home.
• The Camp Watcha Wanna Do group — offered camperships to three campers.
• Family Centered Services — assisted more mothers in the Mentor Mom program.
• Helping Hands — secured more training for an individual who works with first-time mothers and their needs.
• The Wells County 4-H Backpack program — provided more fresh foods for their bags for Wells County students.
In her “Lighten Up” remarks Meitzler said there were three things to remember — connect with others, laugh often and live life to the fullest. She then gave examples from her own life as she told of chapters from her book project detailing it all.
The next gathering of the group will be Oct. 14.
barb@news-banner.com
