Medina Sunrise Rotary distributes more than $150,000 in grant funds

GRANGER TWP. — The Medina Sunrise Rotary recently distributed more than $150,000 in grant funds to help Medina County youths and community members. On Tuesday afternoon, the Medina Sunrise Rotary was joined by representatives from 19 local organizations and programs as the club distributed its funding. Each year, the Medina Sunrise Rotary hosts its Wine & Roses fundraiser in February. The funds raised during the event are not only used for grant funding but also support local scholarships, youth programs, and the exchange student program. Medina Sunrise Rotary provided $186,000 to the Medina community this year. During Tuesday's program, Medina Sunrise Rotary President David Samuelson presented the grant awards and certificates alongside past president Kerry Gregoire. The grant recipients include: Educational Service Center of Medina County's Inkspot publication Educational Service Center of Medina County's Medina County Fair Ensemble and Chorus American Legion's Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State Cups Cafe The County Forward Fund's Work Scholarship program Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Medina Empower Sports Exploring Modern Manufacturing program Feeding Medina County's Weekender Bags program Highland Intercultural Program Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center Hope Recovery Community Integrated Community Solutions Live Inspired Lodi Family Center Friends of Medina County Parks' Shotwell Gardens project RePlay for Kids Summer Reinforcement Program The Children's Center of Medina County The Society After the grants were distributed, Samuelson also spoke about the Medina Sunrise Rotary's Impact Grant, which is designed to support a project that is visible, sustainable and long-lasting. In 2024, the club awarded its Impact Grant to Akron Children's Foundation for its new Medina Health Center. Last week, the club made its second $25,000 installment toward its $100,000 commitment. This year's Impact Grant award of $25,000 went to the Friends of the Medina County Parks for Shotwell Gardens, which is under construction at Weymouth and Foote roads. Medina County Park District Director Nate Eppink said the funds will be used for the installation of outdoor musical instruments and a bicycle repair station. "Thank you so much for caring about the kids in our community," Cups Cafe Executive Director Cindy Maxwell said. "For giving to provide spaces and places that are safe for them to grow and giving us, people who are doing the work, your support for not just your monetary donation, but your actual emotional support." Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.