Awesome Piqua
Piqua is awesome! And we want you to help us prove it!
Awesome Piqua is focused on projects which will make the Piqua community a better place in which to live and work – the mission of Positively Promoting Piqua, which is the creator and main supporter of our chapter.
Most everyone has his/her own definition of “awesome” – which is why we have a diverse group of Trustees.
This is Key: generally, a project should make people feel better about their community, by an activity or event which benefits the community as a whole, or a section of the community. Projects can have an educational goal, such as teaching school children about growing vegetables and plants so they learn about agriculture and where our food comes from; or a recreational goal, such as inspiring people to use our recreational path and water assets; to all kinds of other ideas. Our one main goal is that people have FUN.
Do you need some 'awesome inspiration'? CLICK HERE to view $1,000 projects that have been funded around the world.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Awesome Piqua isn’t your average foundation. We are not a charity and we are not trying to make a profit. As a local chapter of the global Awesome Foundation network and the first Awesome Chapter in Ohio, Awesome Piqua is a diverse group of citizens {a board of trustees} organized to fund projects to make a positive impact in Piqua and promote its awesomeness $1,000 at a time with no strings attached!
Our Board of Trustees meet three times a year on the last Monday of January, April and September, with special meetings as needed. We are looking for new and original ideas for FUN or socially worthwhile events or projects which will help make Piqua a better community, and will bring smiles, delight, and even education to our citizens. Visit www.awesomefoundation.org to see projects funded by other Awesome Foundation chapters as well as a link to apply for funding from our chapter.
What’s the catch? That’s the best part – none! Share your awesome idea. If your application is selected, you’ll receive $1,000 to implement the idea. Then put your awesome idea in motion! That's it - really, no strings attached! In the process you get a taste of entrepreneurship and increase your skills. It’s that simple.
If you’ve got an awesome idea and you need some support to take your initiative to the next level, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Trustees meet three times a year on the last Monday of January, April and September to review submissions.
Questions? Click Here to view our FAQs.
Click Here to view our funded projects.
OUR TRUSTEES
Dean Dan French is Chairman and CEO of the French Oil Mill Machinery Company; he is 3rd generation in this 115+ year old family-owned business that manufactures processing equipment for rubber, composite and other industries. Dan is very active in the community and is one of the founders of Awesome Piqua. He believes in “giving back”; he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 28-years of service with the USAF. Dan also thinks life should be FUN and lived fully – even AWESOMELY.
Co-Dean Lorna Swisher is the Executive Director of Mainstreet Piqua - downtown Piqua's development organization. She has a passion for the entire Piqua community and loves creating Awesome events to celebrate our unique culture and Piqua spirit. Her favorite mantra is "Go Big or Go Home"!
Treasurer A Piqua native, Jim currently operates as the Executive Director of the Miami County YMCA. He is married to his wife Kelly and together they are raising two sons, Jack and Preston. Jim enjoys spending time with his family and watching his sons play sports.
Secretary I am a lifelong member of the Piqua community, where my wife Yvonne and I live and worship. I am a involved in many amazing programs in Piqua including The Kiwanis Club of Piqua, Piqua High School Key Club (advisor), Piqua Regional Science Olympiad, and Awesome Piqua to name a few.
Social Media Ninja Amanda Brown is the owner of balanceYoga by Amanda in downtown Piqua. Amanda has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Toledo in Community Health Education and is a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and Subtle Energy Yoga Therapist. Born and raised in Piqua, Amanda sees the beauty in small town living and is excited to bring more AWESOME to Piqua.
Trustee I was born and raised in Awesome Piqua, Ohio. I graduated from Lehman High School, received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Wittenberg University, and received my Master's degree from the University of Dayton in Education Administration. I taught elementary school for 8 years before becoming a principal with Piqua City Schools. I currently serve as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. I am excited to be a trustee of the Awesome Piqua Chapter!
Trustees Kazy is the Mayor of our AWESOME community and excited about AWESOME PIQUA! Kazy’s passion is to do ALL she can to make Piqua an AWESOME place to live! Joe works as a Credit Analyst at Unity Bank. He too is involved in Piqua and volunteers his time to AWESOMELY better our community! Kazy and Joe are an AWESOME team, and excited to be a part of AWESOME PIQUA! So, let’s ALL BE AWESOME and make PIQUA PROUD!!!
Trustee Susie Wise is Associate Professor of Nursing Edison State Community College.
Trustee I have always enjoyed helping others, ever since I was a kid growing up in Piqua. After graduating from Otterbein University, I became an Independent Financial Representative for Thrivent Financial and live in Piqua with my wife, Megan. I am very involved in community organizations and also enjoy playing sports (baseball, basketball, golf, and football). Awesome Piqua allows me to continue to help others in a very unique way! I look forward to helping Piqua be more AWESOME!
Trustee
Trustees Heath Butler is a principal at Piqua Central Intermediate School. Erika Butler is a Student Assistance Coordinator at the Upper Valley Career Center. They are raising 3 boys here in the Piqua community and are super excited to be a part of AWESOME Piqua!
Trustee Frank is a 1995 graduate of Piqua High school and is currently teaching Life Skills at Piqua Central Intermediate School. Frank is a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force where he was Active Duty from 1996-2004. He moved back to Ohio in 2012 to raise a family and began coaching Piqua Football where he helped coach an undefeated Freshman Piqua Football Team from 2017-2019.
Trustees Cheryl and Jim Burkhardt are pleased to be trustees for Awesome Piqua. We are co-founders of the best beer festival in the northern Miami Valley, Down A River, Down A Beer. We are always looking for Awesome projects and community events to support, even if it does not involve beer.
In memory
Gordon L. Wise
February 28, 1934 - September 23, 2022
"Gordie", and his wife Susie, are founding members of the Awesome Piqua chapter. His contributions are many and he is greatly missed.
CONTACT
OUR ADDRESS
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