Investing in Tomorrow

My husband and I were driving through downtown Lorain last Sunday, and he commented to me, “Beth, this area looks as bad and run-down as it did when we were kids.”  I can’t disagree with him — as an Elyria girl, Lorain was always a big mystery to me.  It was lacking in most activity, other than the International Fesitval Parade, while Elyria, in comparison, with all of its county offices, seemed pretty lively.  Granted, we were both too young to remember either city in its glory days, but we’ve heard the tales of shopping and dining on our local city streets instead of at the mall.

This conversation really led me to thinking about the work that we do here at The Community Foundation, which is really investing in the county’s future.  It’s difficult to see the immediate impact of a $20,000 grant to a Main Street organization, yet we have faith that this agency’s work and planning will pay off.  We work with donors on planned gifts that will most likely occur both after their deaths and the termination of our employment with the Foundation.  Yet, they have faith in our organization and in Lorain County that their contributions will be put to good use. 

The truth is, there have been improvements made all over Lorain County. You just have to dig a bit to find those treasures.  The construction of a new Lakeview Park and the Black River Landing are playing on Lorain’s second largest asset, it’s waterfront on Lake Erie.  I think that we’re all hoping that these investments will spur more.

Lord Orrery once said, “Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory.  They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn.”   I feel this way about our work.  What we do not see today will make an impact tomorrow.