Sammy Fund Grants Given to Groups, Programs
One of Quincy’s biggest and best fund-raising groups celebrated this morning. The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund handed out nearly $20,000 in grants to local organizations.
Samantha Otte was 10 when she died in 2000 after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis. Her parents, Chuck and June Otte, decided to raise money for children’s programs in the Quincy area. This is the eighth year for the awards, done via the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area.
Grant Recipients:
– United Way of Adams County – Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs
– Camp Callahan – Campership support for one-week camping sessions
– John Wood Community College Foundation – Children’s College tuition waivers for eligible children
– Girl Scouts of Two Rivers Council – Membership assistance, outreach and campership support
– First Tee of Great River – Life skills training for kids at Walter Hammond Day Care and Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center
– Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex – Costs of 10 Family Swim Nights from June to August
– Panther Pride Foundation for Central Schools – “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” program in Adams County schools
– Quincy Family YMCA – for swim lesson costs for Head Start students at the Early Childhood Education Center
– Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adams County – One-on-one mentoring relationships
– Community Foundation of the Quincy Area – Community Endowment Fund
Grant History:
So far, 86 grants totaling $116,035 have been distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund since 2000. The primary purpose of the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund includes, but is not limited to, support of organizations that maintain and enhance community betterment, and artistic, leadership and humanitarian opportunities for young people.
The Event:
More than 100 volunteers help with the Sammy Fund weekend golf tournament, auction, walk/run and dinner. Last October’s event raised a record $41,096.85, and honorary Chairmen Richard and Patty McNay raised an additional $15,600 through a letter-writing campaign. A fashion sow earlier in the year organized by Ally & Co. Raised $3,401, raising the year’s total to more than $60,000.
Sponsors:
First Bankers Trust Co. Has served as a major sponsor of the event from its October 2000 start. Refreshment Services Pepsi joined as a major sponsor in 2002, with the Quincy Herald-Whig and WGEM joining in 2003. County Market rounded out the lineup of major sponsors in 2006.