News Briefs Week of 4/27/20

Wildlife refuge
adjusting operations
In response to guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The following services and operations will be suspended at the refuge until further notice in order to comply with the Ohio state health guidance:
• Visitor center operations remain closed;
• The refuge boardwalk is closed;
• Partnership hiking trails that connect ONWR to state lands are closed.
Outdoor spaces at the refuge Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state and local health guidance, including more than 12 miles of hiking trails.
Visitors planning a visit to the national wildlife refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic are asked to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect themselves, other visitors and employees.
As services are limited, visitors are urged to continue to practice “Leave No Trace” principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working service-wide with federal, state and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue COVID-19
prevention methods
Ottawa County Community Partners in COVID-19 Response, which includes Ottawa County Emergency Management, the Ottawa County Health Department and Magruder Hospital, – urge county residents to continue to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus.
Though a recent significant increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the county was due primarily to an outbreak within a congregate living facility, county residents should continue to practice the following protective measures:
• Practice social distancing. Keeping at least 6 feet of distance between individuals and avoid groups of 10 people
or more.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Avoid those who are sick, and stay home if you are sick.
Ottawa County Health Department staff is currently working with all confirmed cases to identify any close contacts who may have been exposed. OCHD staff will be notifying identified contacts and discussing safety measures.
For more info, call the Ottawa County Health Department at 419-734-6800 or visit Ottawahealth.org.

Foundation grants aid
COVID-19 response
Local philanthropists, family foundations, corporations and businesses continue to add to the COVID-19 Response Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
GTCF’s program department and board of trustees are reviewing applications and approving grants at record pace and 100% of the donations made to this fund will be granted out to local nonprofits as they deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in our communities.
The GTCF Board of Trustees recently approved seven grants totaling $62,000 from the COVID-19 Response Fund, including awards to:
• Connecting Kids to Meals to provide food to families and children impacted by COVID-19.
• Dundee Community Schools to support the Backpack Brigade program.
• Liberty Center of Sandusky County to support increased food costs at a homeless shelter.
• Luther Home of Mercy to serve individuals with developmental disabilities through increased staff time and the provision of food supplies.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio to support new expenses related to COVID-19 including hotel stays and increased staff costs.
• Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center to deliver meal kits to seniors in the Old South End of Toledo.
• The Foundation of The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo to support the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo feeding programs which serve multiple organizations in northwest Ohio.
Greater Toledo Community Foundation created the COVID-19 Response Fund to support Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan nonprofit organizations as they assist in responding to the spread of COVID-19 in the community and experience financial challenges in doing so.
Donations to the COVID-19 Response Fund at GTCF are urgently needed to meet the huge demand for aid to Toledo Region residents affected by COVID-19’s economic consequences.
Donations may be made online at https://toledocf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list or contact Mike George at 419-241-5049 or Mike@toledocf.org.
Local nonprofit organizations may learn more about applying for grant funding at www.toledocf.org/grants, or contact Patrick Johnston at 419-241-5049 or Patrick@toledocf.org.
GTCF will continue to make grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund as long as donations are received.
A current listing of all fund activity is available online at ww.toledocf.org/gtcf-covid-19-response-fund/.

Meeting canceled
The Maumee Bay Country Quilters’ Guild will be canceling the May 5 meeting due to the coronavirus restrictions and safety of its membership.
Future meeting details will be announced in The Press.

5K rescheduled
The Lake Erie Islands Browns Backers’ 6th Annual Draft Day 5K, originally set for April 25 on Put-in-Bay, has been rescheduled to Oct. 11. New this year, race organizers are offering an option for a virtual 5K race as well.
Visit www.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=5254 to sign up or learn more.
Proceeds from the race will go directly to the LEIBB for their 2020-21 charities. In the past year, the non-profit organization donated money to local, regional and national foundations and charities, including the Lake Erie Island Nature Camp, Red Nose Day to End Child Poverty, St. Paul's Episcopal Church Food Pantry, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Discretionary Fund, Ottawa County “Kids for Christmas,” Cleveland Browns Foundation, and more.