Upper Arlington Community Center
Beginning with a game-changing $2 million donation from Loann Crane to honor her late husband, Robert Crane, the UACF's Community Center Capital Campaign was off to a great start July 2021. Major donors have been generous and the Committee is about two-thirds of the way to a goal of $8 million. The general campaign will begin in June 2022 with a terrific Matching Gift Donation for gifts of $1,000 or less.
The Upper Arlington Community Center Capital Campaign Committee will be offering opportunities for all residents and businesses to participate in the fundraiser.
The long awaited Community Center will offer multi-generational activities and community spaces to that will be the center of our community. The UACF believes so deeply in this project that it has thrown its resources behind making it a reality with private funds. For more information go to: www.TogetherUA.org
Wellness
UACF supports many programs that aid elderly residents in the community. One such program is File of Life through the UA Commission on Aging, which supports medical communication needs for senior citizens. We also teamed up with the UA Commission on Aging to bring “Project Lifesaver” to UA, which deploys teams with rapid response technology to locate and return adults and children to their caregivers. UACF was also instrumental in the creation of a balance class for senior citizens with Alzheimer’s.
We also gave start-up funding to The Stand Project, which works to prevent substance abuse and serve as a resource to those who suffer from it.
Through The Good Neighbor Fund, we provide one-time emergency assistance due to an event that seriously jeopardizes the recipient’s ability to meet basic needs such as housing, transportation to work, medical bills, and insecurity.
Since 2019, there have been AED's, heart defibrillators, in all UA Parks thanks to UA Youth Football and the foundation's partnership.
Education
We are dedicated to providing resources for education that will shape our community for years to come. Thus far, UACF has raised over $245,000 to support our school systems. This money helped build and beautify several playgrounds, renovate the UA High School stadium, enhance instructional technology, and provide free lunches to children of all ages during the summer.
UACF was the lead donor for the Early Learning Play Area at the Tremont Road Library and the soon-to-be Early Learning Play Area at the Lane Road Branch.
Beth Hatch, Director or the Upper Arlington Libraries says thank you:This gift will help us create a wonderful area for children to gather and grow with their families and caregivers. Featuring the theme of "My Town", we hope the Play area will create lifelong memories for our young visitors as they pretend-play with familiar stores and places in Upper Arlington.
Beautification
UACF has raised funds for the beautification of several parks in the community, including Tibor sculptures at Miller Park Library and a major grant to the Parks and Recreation Department. Over the past several years, the Joseph and Marlene Berwanger Fund has provided over $40,000 in beautification funding to the Arlington Mallway.
Together with UA Parks and Recreation, the Foundation raised money to renovate and install a spectacular Veteran's Memorial Plaza on the Mallway. Many residents contributed to honor friends and relatives who fought for our freedom from World War I to present. It's a lovely place to visit and be grateful.
Vibrancy
UACF believes in connecting families to our beautiful parks by eliminating financial barriers and enhancing the cultural arts of the community. Recreation funds like the Fitzpatrick Family Fund assists children in need with fees, equipment, and training costs, as well as provide scholarship opportunities and upgrade youth sports facilities.
We’re strong proponents of supporting the arts in our community and overall, we’ve given more than $140,000 in grants for the cultural arts and parks and recreation.
Safety
UACF has given over $67,000 to UA fire and over $17,000 to the UA Police for safety programs and equipment. This money has gone to CPR training for UA firefighters, CPR manikins, smoke detectors, restoration assistance for historical Fire Engine #1, Project ALIVE, and start-up funding for STAY UA.
Since 2007, we have supported the UA Parks and Recreation's popular Safety town with more than $15,000 in grants. In 2017, we raised over $4,000 to fund graphics and new wheels and tires for a new DARE truck.
Amelita Mirolo Barn
The UA Community Foundation raised more than $1 million to build this all-purpose facility. As of December 2017, external rental fees have made a total net revenue of over $300,000 for Upper Arlington.
The Barn was designed to serve as a historical venue to host weddings, graduation parties, concerts, community fundraisers and more. It allows the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to offer more programs and avoid costly space rentals.