During Tuesday's city council meeting, the Oxford Community Foundation (OCF) had a speaker discuss the future plans of the foundation. Catherine Hollins, executive director of the foundation, thanked city council for the help they have given to the foundation, and said she hopes for their continued support in the future.
OCF is a non-profit, locally run organization. Since being founded in 1996, the foundation has raised money to improve the city of Oxford and make it a more vibrant and beautiful place.
The foundation has donated to many organizations in the community. The funds that have been raised have gone toward education, recreation, arts and culture, physical improvements and family, human and social needs.
Thanks to the Oxford Community Foundation, students and residents can enjoy the Uptown Park, and the beautiful scenery within and surrounding it.
"Physical improvements include to the city's community park, revitalization of the Uptown Parks' benches and tables, and hanging flower baskets that line High St.," Hollins said.
OCF assisted the Talawanda School District in many projects, some of which involve extracurricular activities, such as prom, and giving support to at risk students. They also used their funds to give scholarships to graduating seniors. The Talawanda School District's treasurer, Holly Turner said the Oxford Community Foundation raised money and contributed it to different programs.
"The foundation donated $8,900 to the schools last year, all of which went to various different areas," Turner said.
Different organizations, individuals, and businesses donate to this foundation, because they care about Oxford and the way it looks. Last fiscal year, the Oxford Community Foundation raised and donated a total of $112,619.
The foundation has provided Oxford with the Uptown Park, flowers on the lamp posts, as well as the memorial bricks that remember deceased loved ones. The OCF also helps to put together festivals in the park, including a pig roast in July and the state-to-state half marathon.
"Our overall goal is to improve the quality of life in greater Oxford," Hollins said.
Miami senior Dominique Suarez, a resident of Uptown in Oxford Ohio said she feels Oxford is a welcoming city.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
"Oxford is a homey town that makes students feel comfortable," Suarez said. "You can go outside on a nice sunny day and do work or meet with friends in the lovely Uptown Park."
Read More
How one professor and her classes are preserving Oxford’s Black history
By Sean Scott | March 20, 2024Jazma Sutton, an assistant professor of history, teaches The Black Midwest (HST 350Q) and Black Women in America (HST 450D) classes. In both courses, she has students working with the Smith Library of Regional History and Miami’s archives to document and preserve Black history in Oxford.
Miami faculty members recount Freedom Summer in new documentary
By Luke Macy | February 25, 2022After seven years of work, “Training for Freedom,” a documentary highlighting Oxford’s involvement in the Freedom Summer of 1964, premiered on PBS Western Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
“Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic”: History in the making
By Alice Momany | August 29, 2021In March 2020, Miami University’s archives launched “Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a collection focused on life during the COVID-19 pandemic.