Thanks to the generosity and loyal support of its contributors, the Foundation was able to continue providing grant support to the MWCD throughout 2005.

Foundation grant awards consisted of a combination of on-going and new projects. Grants were awarded from the James R. Pitney Fund to continue MWCD law enforcement training efforts. The Foundation Board of Trustees approved a first-time grant request from the MWCD and North Central Ohio Safe Boating Council seeking support for a safe boating and fishing festival. The festival was held at Pleasant Hill Lake Park on June 18, 2005. Included among the activities were fishing lessons for children and educational boating sessions for adults and children.

For the past several years, the Foundation has participated in MWCD Clean Ohio Conservation Fund projects focused on shoreline stabilization and watershed protection. It is anticipated that project applications of this nature will continue to be submitted by the MWCD. Due to the strong growth of income generated by the MWCD General Endowment Fund, funds are available to fulfill conservation project requests.

The Foundation remains committed to its pledge of support to the MWCD effort for the reappraisal of benefits and amendment to the official plan to establish a stable source of funding for long-term maintenance of the reservoirs.

Foundation fundraising activities also consisted of a combination of established and new events. The seventh annual golf outing produced a net profit of $5,500.00. The annual barbecue and auction held at Charles Mill Lake Park raised over $3,000.00 for the James R. Pitney Law Enforcement Fund. Dedication of a new Charles Mill ball field in memory of James Pitney also generated funds for law enforcement training. The Atwood Fall Festival contributed $5,700.00 to the Atwood Park Fund.

Atwood Cup Regatta - an annual event that supports the Thomas W. Hudson Charitable Endowment Fund. The 2005 regatta was held on Saturday, June 10th. A total of $3,400 was raised for the Hudson Fund.

The Sailing Buckeyes Yacht Club conducted their annual Atwood Cup Regatta to benefit the Thomas W. Hudson Charitable Endowment Fund. A record-setting amount of $3,400.00 was raised at this year’s event. A new fundraising event for the Hudson Fund was a 2.75 mile benefit swim from Atwood Marina West to the Atwood Yacht Club that raised over $2,100.00 for conservation and preservation projects for Atwood Lake.

MWCD employees continued to play a very important role in the growth of the Foundation. Many employees chose to contribute through a payroll deduction program. In 2005, employees contributed over $3,000.00. Members of the MWCD Board of Directors contributed an additional $2,000.00. The Foundation also received charitable contributions throughout the year in the form of honorary and memorial gifts.

Operating costs continued to be held below twenty percent primarily due to the fact that the MWCD provides administration personnel and office space. Over eighty percent of all contributions are used to provide support for projects that directly benefit the MWCD.


Seventh Annual Golf Outing

George Praznik (L), Bob Hogg, Joyce Pishkur, and Buzz Pishkur.

The Seventh Annual Golf Outing raised more than $5,500.00 to support the operating costs of the Foundation. The outing was held September 9, 2005 at the Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center championship golf course. A total of 23 four-player teams participated in the scramble format tournament. The event also generated many hole sponsors and donations of products and prizes from various organizations and businesses.

The winning team, with a score or 14 under par, was the foursome of Buzz Pishkur, Joyce Pishkur, George Praznik, and Bob Hogg.

Steve Cooper hole-in-one on Hole #4.

Steve Cooper of Canton had a hole-in-one on hole no. 4.

The outing is held annually on the Friday following Labor Day. Mark your calendar and plan to join us on September 8, 2006.

For over 70 years, the MWCD has provided a wide variety of benefits to area residents. Over 12 million trees have been planted, re-establishing lush forests on previously eroded land. Billions of dollars of property damage and countless lives have been saved by the system of 14 flood control reservoirs. More than 5 million visitors use MWCD lands and lakes annually to boat, fish, hunt, swim, camp or enjoy a wide variety of other recreational opportunities.

These accomplishments have been achieved from self-sustaining funding sources, primarily fees charged for the use of its facilities and resources. But the increasing costs of operation and maintenance coupled with the need to address water quality issues, will certainly challenge MWCD in the future.