Press Release: May 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Tami Durrence, Director of Supporting Foundations, 614/251-4000

COLUMBUS YOUTH FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES 108
“BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENTS” AT COOPER STADIUM TODAY

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 22, 2008)—The Columbus Youth Foundation (CYF) will recognize 108 Columbus City Schools (CCS) students with the Best All-Around Student Awards at 6:30 p.m., today at Cooper Stadium. Since 1984, the CYF recognizes students for their outstanding citizenship and achievements during the school year.

The Best All-Around Student Awards recipients were selected based on community service, leadership qualities, and extracurricular activities. This year’s special guest speaker is Columbus Youth Foundation Board Member, Archie Griffin; former Ohio State University football player and the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy. Participating in the awards ceremony are the CYF Board of Trustees, The Columbus Foundation President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris, and members of CCS Board of Education.

The Columbus Youth Foundation has a long history of helping central Ohio youth. Last year, CYF awarded over $200,000 in grants that helped young people in the Franklinton and other urban neighborhoods attend summer camp and participate in recreational activities. The total grants awarded since the CYF was established is nearly $2.3 million. CYF grant recipients have included the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Inc.; Central Community House; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio; Strategies Against Violence Everywhere; Gladden Community House; and YWCA of Columbus.

From the beginning, baseball has been central to the work of CYF. Its roots go back to the Columbus Jets, a minor league baseball club and forerunner of today’s Columbus Clippers. In 1955, a group of local business leaders banded together to bring professional baseball to Columbus. The CYF was established to aid in the baseball club’s development, and held legal title to what was then known as Jets Stadium. In return, the team’s profits were distributed to CYF, which used the proceeds for the distribution of grants to agencies serving Columbus youth.

This partnership continued for nearly two decades while the Columbus Jets played host at Jets Stadium on West Mound Street. When the ball club was dissolved in 1975, the stadium was sold to Franklin County. The proceeds of the sale increased CYF’s funds for assisting young people. In 1976, CYF sought professional management and has since operated as a supporting foundation of The Columbus Foundation.
 
Members of the CYF board of trustees are Catherine T. Willis, chairman; Archie M. Griffin, vice chairman; Ellen E. Julian; Robert Lazarus, Jr.; and George W. “Buddy” Byers, Jr.

Current grantmaking focuses on providing opportunities for Franklinton and other urban youth to participate in sports and recreational activities. The Foundation always welcomes contributions from donors with similar interests in supporting youth recreational activities.