Thank you To Conestoga

Record-Setting Gift of $60,000

Record-Setting Gift Announced at Annual By Laura Ecklar
There was much to celebrate at Conestoga’s Annual Meeting on June 15, when it was announced that Conestoga would make a gift of $60,000 to the Ohio History Connection (OHC) in support of the Poindexter Village Museum & Cultural Center.

This gift is the largest annual gift made by Conestoga in its 37-year history!
Much of this year’s gift was generated through the April 29 fund-raiser, held in partnership with the James Preston Poindexter Foundation (JPPF) under the direction of board president Mike Roberts. The support for this year’s event was overwhelming, totaling $9,600 in reservations, $7,230 in raffle ticket purchases and $39,836 in donations. The net income from this event, coupled with additional monies in Conestoga’s treasury and $8,000 from the Conestoga Endowment Payout Fund, brought the gift total to its record-shattering amount of $60,000.

In this newsletter, we want to recognize the individuals who gave generously to support the event, as well as those who contributed to the Conestoga Endowment Fund that now plays an integral role in supplementing each year’s gift. We’ve also listed the donors of the raffle items and door prize — as well as the winners! Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the work of these OHC staff members: Abby Reynolds, development officer and Conestoga liaison; Anthony Gibbs, donor relations manager; and Shelbi Toone, project manager of the Poindexter Village Museum & Cultural Center. Their assistance, education and guidance were invaluable this year.

It is often said that there is strength in numbers. Working with the JPPF Board throughout the year, we experienced the wisdom of that approach. Collectively, we were able to share the story of Poindexter Village with many who embraced the goal of our fund-raiser and took us to new levels of giving.

Thank You to Our Conestoga Benefactors!
(For combined event cash donations and fiscal-year gift to The Conestoga Endowment Fund as of June 30, 2023)

Corporate/Individual

Patrons — $2,500+ $5,000 Level
Fifth Third Bank

Jodi & Stan Ross

$2,500 Level
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s East Hospital

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Health Equity Department

Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT)
Carole & Stu Williams

Event Supporter

Extraordinaires — $1,000 to $2,499
Lexie & Bill Bickell • Martha Burton • Laura & Pat Ecklar • Jim Ginter • Marilyn Goodman • Michael Griffith • Beth & Bob Hamilton • Dan Jensen • Jan Kiecolt-Glaser • Marjorie Knight • Judy Krasnoff • Pauline Wardlow Lynn Memorial Fund of The Columbus Foundation • Heather & Gary Ness • Ruth Paulson • Emily & Tom Prieto • Barbara & Jim Rutherford • David Timmons • Betsy & Charlie Warner • Bob Weiler • Dick Wendt • Betty & Howard Zimmer

Sponsors — $500 to $999
Barbara Hughes • Donna & Larry James • Joyce & Tom Johnson • Kathleen Lach & Dan Rowan • Joanne Lynn • Peg & Larry Neal • John Paulson & Barbara Hotchkiss • Rebecca & Loren Pool • Beth Prince • Joan & Jerry Riseling • Tom Sturges • Doreen Uhas-Sauer

Supporters — $250 to $499
Vanessa & George Arnold • Canise Bean • John & Marie Brandt • Becky & Skip Cornett • Tom & Dawn Dillard • Bebe & John Finn • Shellee Fisher • Lois Fulmer • Ann Gabriel • June & David Hinkle • Bob & Mary Leonhard • McGann Media Group/Jamie McGann • Venica Miller • Marilyn Pritchett • Carol & Tom Rieland • Sally Rogers • Tony Roseboro

Partners — Up to $249
Otto Beatty & Christie Angel • Evalyn & Tom Brandt • Dale Brubeck & John Merola • Norma & Robert Bruce • Rebecca & Douglas Deeds • Nancy Donoghue & Robert Rapp • James Dooley • Patricia Eldredge • Joanne & Chris Figge • Rosalie Frazier • Mabel Freeman • Steve George • Janet & Clyde Henry • Rita & Tim Lyons • Bette Madson & Dee Dee Manos • Jane & Robert McMaster • Christine & John Olsen • Carolyn & Dan Owens • Harry Parsons • Georgeanne & Michael Reuter • Stephanie Sanders • Diane Selby • Paul Shepard • Lana Smith • Pauline & Lee Starr • Sharon & Mark Tranovich • Rachel & Andy Verhoff • Jane Young

Raffle and Door Prize Donors
Adam Brouillette • Judy Krasnoff • Carolyn & Dan Owens • Barbara & Jim Rutherford • Laura & Pat Ecklar • Ann & Bob Litt • Emily & Tom Prieto • Heather & Gary Ness • Buster Douglas • The Walrus Kitchen & Public House • The Refectory • Alfie’s Granville Inn • Robbins Hunter Museum • Joanne & Chris Figge • Panera • Christine & John Olsen • Inn at Honey Run • The Woodbury • Ohio History Connection • Nannette Reynolds • Olde Towne Tavern • Columbus Museum of Art • CAPA • Debbie Duncan & Steve Hankison • Anne Chasser & Tom Mantei • Pecan Penny’s Bar-B-Q • Matt and Tony’s Wood Fired Kitchen • Carole & Stu Williams • Columbus Zoo & Aquarium • ProMusica Chamber Orchestra • Columbus Symphony

Raffle and Door       Prize Winners
     Package #1 — “YOU Be the Judge in This Wine War” — Ruth Paulson
     Package #2 — “Pack the Sunscreen for This Perfect Getaway” — Doreen       Uhas-Sauer
     Package #3 — “You’ll Be a Lucky Duck if You Win This Package” — Lexie       Bickell
     Package #4 — “All Things Aminah” — Javonte McDonald
     Package #5 — “A History Lover’s Delight” — Tom Dillard
     Package #6 — “Great Wine, Great Food, Great Music — What’s Not to Like!”       — Wes Gibson
     Package #7 — “This Package Really Packs a Punch” — Joanne Figge
     Package #8 — “A Little of This, a Little of That” — Doug Deeds
     Package #9 — “We’ve Saved the Best for Last” — Katie Wentz
     Door Prize — “A Weekend in Granville” — Nate Collins

From Your Friends at Conestoga

A volunteer corps of support for the Ohio History Connection

Ohio History Connection’s most recently designated historic site — the Poindexter Village African American Museum — is the focus of Conestoga’s annual fund-raiser on

Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the King Arts Complex in Columbus from 3 to 6 p.m.

Located in Columbus’ Near East Side, Poindexter Village was dedicated in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as one of the first public housing projects in the United States. The apartment complex was named in honor of local community leader and abolitionist, the Rev. James Poindexter. This fundraiser is the first community collective effort to invest in the creation of a museum and cultural learning center that portrays the history of this close-knit Black community — what it was, what it did and what it stood for — to ensure it is not lost. Once completed, visitors to the two remaining historical buildings at the site will gain an understanding and appreciation of the significance of Poindexter Village in the rich history of the African American community — not just in Columbus but in Ohio — and its place in the national story of the Great Migration. Joining in partnership with Conestoga in this fundraising endeavor is the James Preston Poindexter Foundation. The list is provided below, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to this historic fundraiser.