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January 10, 2026 QUINCY — In honor of Samantha Otte, 29 local nonprofit organizations received grants to support programs that will positively influence the lives of hundreds of area youth through creative, leadership-focused, and humanitarian initiatives. A total of $79,500 was awarded this year from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund, managed by the Community […]

By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSARHerald-Whig Staff Writer dhusar@whig.comQUINCY — Gabrielle Esselman knows that sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference to kids. “We have some girls who need haircare products, which might seem so minimal, but without those haircare products, they’re being made fun of because of their hair and not going to school,” said […]

QUINCY — Gem City Kiwanis (Breakfast Kiwanis) celebrated results of this year’s Sammy & Kids golf outing during its 2025 “Sammy Celebration”, Friday morning at the American Legion. The October 12 outing, at Westview Golf Course, was the 26th event in memory of 10-year old Samantha Otte who died from complications of Cystic Fibrosis. This is […]

January 12, 2025 | By Muddy River News QUINCY — Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations recently were awarded grants in memory of Samantha Otte, supporting initiatives that will impact hundreds of area youths through programs focused on creativity, leadership and humanitarian initiatives. More than $50,000 in grants were distributed this year from the Samantha Otte Youth […]

Published: December 6th, 2024 by HERALD-WHIG STAFFQUINCY — The Breakfast Kiwanis announced this year’s Sammy & Kids golf outing raised $28,147 during its “Sammy Celebration” Friday morning at the American Legion. The Oct. 13 outing at Westview Golf Course was the 25th event in memory of 10-year old Samantha Otte who died from complications of cystic […]

Published: Jan. 3, 2023 at 3:28 PM CST by WGEM STAFF QUINCY (WGEM) – Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations were presented with grants in Samantha Otte’s memory on Tuesday in a presentation at the Oakley-Lindsay Center. The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri reported they will benefit hundreds of area youth for artistic, […]

January 4, 2023 | By Muddy River News QUINCY — Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations recently received grants in Samantha Otte’s memory that will benefit hundreds of area youths for artistic, leadership and humanitarian efforts. The grants, totaling nearly $40,000, were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central […]

Article by MIKE SORENSEN Herald-Whig Staff Writer | msorensen@whig.com | January 3, 2023 QUINCY — Grants distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity fund, under the guidance of the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, reached a milestone on Tuesday as nearly $40,000 was distributed to more than two dozen programs. The […]

Article by MIKE SORENSEN Herald-Whig Staff Writer | msorensen@whig.com | January 19, 2022 QUINCY — The watchword of the day at the Bella Ease Teen Reach facility in Quincy was “community,” as the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund distributed more than $44,000 in grants to 21 organizations, a record distribution for the fund. Known as […]

QUINCY — More than $32,000 was provided in 21 grants to 20 area organizations supporting children. Announced last week, the grants were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The fund honors the life of Samantha Otte who died in March 2000 at […]