Celebration of Community

Dani Esperanza • May 20, 2025

Celebrating Community, Values, and Vision:

A Night at Stuart’s Opera House

Three women standing together, smiling, and holding framed certificates and wooden awards.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Athens County Foundation welcomed friends and partners to Stuart’s Opera House for our annual Celebration of Community—a heartfelt evening recognizing the people and values that guide our collective efforts in Athens County.


This year’s event was filled with warmth, connection, and inspiration. We gathered not only to reflect on shared accomplishments but also to honor individuals whose contributions embody the Foundation’s core values of Trust, Hope, Collaboration, Inclusion, and Courage.


We proudly recognized:

  • Woman of the Year: Ginger Schmalenberg
  • Senior of the Year: Lee Gregg
  • Foster B. Cornwell Awardee: Tee Ford


Each honoree has made a lasting impact through service and leadership. Their work strengthens our county’s fabric and reflects the possibilities that emerge when we lead together.


The night’s energy echoed ACF’s mission: to build on the strengths of our community, advancing participation and collaboration to address longstanding challenges and pursue extraordinary opportunities. When our neighbors come together in shared purpose, progress becomes not only possible but inevitable.


Photos from the evening, captured by Rich-Joseph Facun, will be featured throughout the gallery below.

Celebration of Community

By Emily Prince • March 26, 2026
Celebrating Civic Trust and Community Leadership in Athens County

RCIF Applications Open

By Shayne Lopez • March 19, 2026
We are pleased to announce that the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) Spring 2026 grant cycle is now open. Applications will be accepted until April 19, 2026. RCIF supports communities where Rocky Brands employees live and work, directing funding to projects in Nelsonville, Buchtel, Haydenville, Trimble, Murray City, Glouster, Carbon Hill, and surrounding areas. Since 2013, the fund has partnered with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation to match charitable contributions from Rocky Brands employees.  Eligible applicants include organizations serving Nelsonville, nearby villages, and the broader counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, and Washington. Funding priorities are as follows: Children’s welfare and education Hunger School programs Senior citizens Developmental disabilities Community development and infrastructure Housing initiatives Animal welfare Community beautification Environmental programs Please note that funding is limited, with a total of $50,000 available. We encourage interested organizations to apply early and reach out with any questions.

March Message to our donors

By Emily Prince • March 11, 2026
Advancing Participation in Athens County