Buy a Brick Program
The Kettering Parks Foundation is actively selling bricks to be placed at the Kettering Veteran’s Plaza and Charles F. Kettering History Walk. Bricks come in various sizes and price ranges.
- A 4″x8″ brick sells for $100 and can utilize up to three lines of text (up to 42 characters total).
- An 8″x8″ brick sells for $250 and can utilize up to 6 lines of text (up to 84 characters total).
- A 12″x12″ brick sells for $500 and can utilize up to 8 lines of text (up to 112 characters total).
The buy a brick program is a great way to honor a loved one, support the community and assist in the preservation of the Kettering Veteran’s Plaza and Charles F. Kettering History Walk. To purchase a brick, please call (937) 296-2454 or email kettprca@ketteringoh.org. View and download the brick purchase form and information (PDF).
Feeding Our Kettering Kids
Our special Parks Foundation campaign, “Feeding our Kettering Kids,” ran from June 22 – July 19, 2020. The campaign was created in response to the tremendous hardship that COVID-19 created for many of the underserved families in Kettering. The Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and the Kettering Backpack Program, requested donations to help combat food insecurity in our community by supporting the Kettering Backpack Program.
The Kettering Back Pack Program (KBI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with one goal: to fight childhood hunger each week. In Kettering, 40% of school age children qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. KBI discreetly provides at-risk students with a bag of food each Thursday throughout the school year. This food helps sustain the student’s nutritional needs over the weekend.
The total amount raised during our summer 2020 special campaign was $6,001. We are very excited and grateful for your great response to the need to feed Kettering’s kids. Thank you very much to all who donated this summer!
Veteran Memorial Plaza and Charles F. Kettering History Walk
In 2016, the Foundation concluded a 5 year fundraising effort to construct the Veteran Memorial Plaza and Charles F. Kettering History Walk at Delco Park. The Plaza honors the service men and women who served or are serving in our five military branches. The Charles F. Kettering History walks chronicles the tremendous successes of the city’s name sake and outlines his contribution to WWI and WWII war efforts through his work at General Motors and his multiple inventions that supported the military. The Foundation raised a total of $480,000 and after the construction donated the facility to the City of Kettering.
Financial Assistance
The Kettering Park Foundation created a permanent financial assistance fund to support under-served residents in Kettering the ability to participate in any parks, recreation and or cultural arts program regardless of income limitations. The initial goal of $120,000 was achieved in 2013 and through a managed investment plan will continue to grow in value and increase the ability to serve more residents.
Party for the Parks
The 2019 Party for the Parks event once again a success! Great music by Face-2-Face a Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, plus a fan favorite “Live Auction” kept the evening lively. The event generated $4,000 that will be used to support future Parks Foundation projects.
Reach for the Sky Campaign
The Reach for the Sky: Financial Assistance Campaign was successfully completed in the winter of 2013, through the attainment of the Foundation’s initial goal of $115,000. All proceeds from the campaign were transferred and invested into a permanent fund that is managed by the Foundation’s investment consultant. With the establishment of this fund, the Foundation has been able to provide $4000-$6000 per year to support financial assistance to individuals in our community who may not be able to afford the cultural, recreational and educational enrichment programs offered by the Kettering Parks Recreation and Cultural Arts Department.