Ohio State Grange Community Service Program 2025-2026

Our Ohio State Grange theme this year is 250th Birthday for America: A New Beginning for Grange. It is very exciting to think that our country is celebrating 250 years - a Semiquincentennial! Now that is a word, I am not familiar with or that I have ever used. Each year in Grange, we look forward to a new start and wonder what the year will bring. We set goals in the hopes of reaching even beyond them. We leave room for interruptions because new projects usually come our way when we least expect them. Our communities are constantly changing, and to remain relevant, we must adapt. Our community service projects are creating a better America, no doubt.

The forms included should serve to remind you to recognize and honor individuals that make a difference in your Grange, county, and community. I have added an additional category for your consideration this year. I would like you to think of someone who has shown exceptional patriotism. Due to our country celebrating a milestone birthday, we will undoubtedly witness many acts of exemplary citizenship and patriotism. Be watching for whoever that is in your community and take the time to nominate them.

Community Service Annual Report

As our title suggests, you are charged with supporting your local grange in all the wonderful service projects that are done that support the communities in which we live. As part of that role, you should keep records of all the projects your grange participates documenting the details of the projects, how many Grangers and sometimes non-Grangers helped with the project and retain copies of any publicity that shows the Grange in action. At the annual Ohio State Grange convention, the county deputies receive a packet for you which includes copies of the report form you are to complete. The deadline to submit all reports and nominations for the community service awards is September 1st each year. The reason for the deadline, is I must submit our top report and participation results to the National Grange Community Service director by October 1st. You will mail your report to me and the address is on the form. If you misplace any of the forms or need additional copies of them, all the forms are on the Ohio State Grange website under the forms section with the heading Community Service.

Lecturer & Community Service Workshop

The annual Lecturer & Community Service workshop will be Saturday, March 21, 2026. You do not have to be a Lecturer or Community Service Director to attend. The meeting is held at the Ohio State Grange Office, so bring a carload of Grangers with you. This is a day full of sharing information and participants leave with more than they arrived with. There is a minimal charge for the day which includes morning snacks and lunch. You will contact the State Grange office to reserve your seat for the day.

Community Service Recognition Awards

***Teacher***Police Officer***Fire Fighter***Volunteerism***

***Granger of the Year*** Individual Award - Patriotic, Military or Citizenship Award***

Recognition is another way we publicize our grange by honoring those that play an important role in our communities. The National Grange has specific awards that recognize those in the occupational fields of Education, Firefighting and Law Enforcement. You can recognize both Grange members and non-Grange members for these awards and we can recognize both at the state level, however we will only send one entry for each of those awards to the National Grange from Ohio. Also, at the Subordinate and State level we also recognize individuals for their volunteerism and again you can honor both a grange and non-grange member for those awards. These are your awards and you should own them. Feel free to submit pertinent information that you want the judges to review so we have a clear picture of the achievements of your candidates – this should include supporting documentation like newspaper and magazine articles talking about their accomplishments and other awards they have received. Also, if you perform interviews with their family or work associates please include this information in the application. The judges only have the information you supply them with.

If you have a state winning award recipient, the Ohio State Grange will pay for the convention banquet meal ticket for the award recipient. If the award recipient wants to bring family members to see them get the award, typically the local grange or Pomona will pay for any additional banquet tickets. Otherwise, you must ask the award recipient to pay for the meals. Orchestrating what meals, they want, how many are attending for table placement is all information that will need to be finalized quickly when we are preparing for convention.

Ohio State Grange Hall of Fame

Another recognition for Ohio State Grange members for notable service above and beyond, is by submitting a resolution to the Ohio State Grange office in Fredericktown by the resolution deadline. The resolutions are all reviewed at convention and brought before the delegate body. Those individuals that have received this prestigious award are listed on a plague at the Ohio State Grange Office.

Ohio State Grange Community Service Project

We continue to support the Flying Horse Farm with financial donations. A camp for medically fragile children who attend at no cost as part of the Serious Fun Children’s Network. A place where children are not defined by their illnesses. They deliver unforgettable camp experiences that have a lifechanging impact. Please send your grange’s donations to the Ohio State Grange office, designating the Flying Horse Farm.

National Grange In Action Program

Once again, Granges ae encouraged to enter the National Grange “Grange In Action” program which is explained on the National Grange website. It is so simple you email a one sheet page to them with at least 3 photos of what your Grange activities are with them labeled. All Granges that satisfy the requirements as they have listed are recognized at the National convention. Let us keep Ohio as a State Grange in Action by our participation.

Community Service Forms are under forms on this web site.

2025 OHIO STATE GRANGE COMUNNITY SERVICE AWARDS

2025 Granger of the Year - Patty Taynor — Cove Spring Grange #2414

2025 Spotlight on Service - Unity Grange #1761

2025 Non-Member Volunteer of the Year - Tami Gentile - Collinsville Grange #2264

2025 Non-Member Patriotic Volunteer of the Year - Angela Leonhardt - Collinsville Grange #2264

2025 Member Firefighter of the Year - Jamee Borders - Morgan Grange #829

2025 Non-Member Firefighter of the Year - Robert Holman - Morgan Grange #829

2025 Non-Member Teacher of the Year- Tom Holton - Morgan Grange #829

2025 Community Service First Place - Unity Grange #1761 - Marjorie Sponcil, Chairperson

2025 Community Service Second Place - East Plymouth Grange #1548 - Annette Montgomery, Chairperson

2025 Community Service Third Place - Jefferson Grange #1311 - Sheila Warner, Chairperson

2025 Community Service Fourth Place - Wayne Grange #262 - Margaret Ann Ruhl, Chairperson