Grants available for educators and others who think outside of the box
Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade (and her husband the late Rev. John McCullough Bade) honored her parents with a field of interest fund at the Richland County Foundation named the Harry and Lois McCullough Fund. The fund will award grants in the community for the purpose of promoting writing, literature appreciation, music, and Ohio history through creative, innovative, and effective methods and programs.
Examples of projects that could qualify for a grant include living history portrayals from early Ohio days, memoirs recorded by nursing home residents, a special exhibit at a local museum or a school project on Shakespeare.
“These are tough times for schools, museums and other nonprofit organizations. I want this fund to provide the spark for an innovative project.
“Education was important to our family, we grew up playing school. My mother was a teacher who loved Richland County. She co-authored several books about one-room school houses in Richland County,” said Robin.
Lois Marjory (Robinson) and Harry Hoyt McCullough were proud life-long residents of Richland County. Both had ancestors who were among the first families to settle in Richland County. Five generations of the McCullough family are buried in Mansfield Cemetery, dating back to 1872. When Harry and Lois got married on August 24, 1947, they joked that most of the 100 who attended the wedding were relatives. From the beginning of their marriage, family and reunions were a big part of their life.
Lois spent most of her career in the Mansfield City Schools, primarily teaching English and History. She loved writing, reading, and music. Harry worked at the Post Office. He loved hunting for good deals at antique stores and garage sales. Church was an important aspect of their life. They greatly enjoyed family, friends, and travel. One of their favorite annual trips was to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Canada.
As parents, they gave their three daughters the roots of family and education as well as wings to travel to see the world. All three daughters pursued college degrees in education. Daughter Karen Higgins taught elementary education in Mansfield City Schools. Daughter Dr. Ellen McCullough Brabson (husband John) was a professor of Music Education at the University of New Mexico. Daughter Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade (husband John) taught elementary school and Environmental Education before becoming a Lutheran pastor. She currently directs the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge, a nonprofit organization.
Their five grandchildren, Sara, Andy, Jessica, Rex and Michael were a source of joy to Harry and Lois McCullough.
Robin said as a director of a nonprofit, she appreciates grants which can be used to jumpstart a project. She encourages people who knew her parents to donate to the fund either by check or online at richlandcountyfoundation.org.
