Honorees

Bob Evans

"As a former member of the Ohio Board of Regents, I know the importance of education to open the minds of our youth in Appalachia. A college education is crucial to their future job success."

Leona Hughes

"If these students are given a chance, they will surprise us. There is talent, interest and willingness to give back. It’s the ones who succeed you have to pay attention to because they can make the beginning of a change."

The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Campaign

In Appalachian Ohio, story telling is a time-honored tradition. I’m a Child of Appalachia® is about telling the region’s stories of outstanding individuals who are making a difference in their community and the world; people who are proud of their Appalachian roots; and people who authenticate the importance of educational opportunities to life, business and community achievement. The campaign encourages our region’s communities to invest in our students so they can expect, pursue and succeed in attaining post-secondary education.

Through the lens of individual examples, the campaign encourages positive alternatives. I’m a Child of Appalachia® promotes greater investment in the region to increase student access and success in higher education.

The I’m a Child of Appalachia® campaign has been recognized as a ground-breaking communications and public policy effort through national and international awards. In 2007, the campaign earned a Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communication from the Council on Foundations in the public policy campaign category. Also, the flagship I’m a Child of Appalachia® Network (ICAN!) publication received an honorable mention in the 13th Annual Communicator Awards 2007 Print Competition.

I’m a Child of Appalachia® Network (ICAN!)

Join Now! by making an online donation

Whether you were born in Appalachian Ohio or your kinship is traced through ties of business, family or personal history, when you become a member of the Foundation’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Network (ICAN!), you join a group of individuals who believe it’s a family matter to improve our region’s quality of life.

As an annual member of the Foundation’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Network, you help the Foundation:

CHALLENGE the stereotypes eroding expectations for student success
ENCOURAGE young people to make informed choices after high school
ADVOCATE life-long learning to improve skills, earning and employability
INCREASE availability of scholarships and other direct financial assistance to support
college access and success
STRENGTHEN our region’s charitable investment to reach these goals

Membership Levels:
Well Wishers             $1 - $99
Friends                      $100 - $499
Neighbors                 $500 - $999
Kinfolk                      $1,000 - $2,499
First Cousins             $2,500 - $4,999
First Families             $5,000 - $9,999
Hometown Heroes    $10,000 and above

FAO would like to give a very special thank you and credit to Jim Celuch for many of the wonderful photos used in our I'm a Child of Appalachia® campaign. For more information about his work and Celuch Creative Imaging, visit www.celuch.com.