The community came together for Muskingum County Community Foundation’s (MCCF) 25th Anniversary Groundhog Day Celebration. According to MCCF CEO, Brian Wagner, indications show this was their best year for fundraising. 

“Preliminary results show that we did very well for this year, and all that money goes back out into the community through our spring grant competition,” said Wagner. “So we’re looking at significant impact and a large amount of money this year going back out to local nonprofits and charitable organizations.”

The financial success comes partially from the live and silent auctions that were held on the evening of Jan. 31st, as well as from an anonymous group that decided to match the final amount raised. 

“It’s an anonymous group that said ‘hey, if you can raise dollars, get to these thresholds and these numbers, we’ll double it,” said Wagner.

The Groundhog Day Celebration annually honors the Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award and the Brian T. Wagner Community Leadership Award winners. This year Jim and Bobbi Lepi were named the winners of the Dick Johnson Civic Leadership Award.

“You look at what Jim and Bobbi Lepi have done within the community not only through business but just the way they give and the way they shepherd philanthropy, they are just great examples of individuals in our community and what we need to see success,” said Wagner. 

Kyle Wintucky was this year’s Brian T. Wagner Community Leadership Award winner. 

“He’s a tremendous young man and has a great future for us here in the community,” said Wagner.

Wintucky’s speech focused on the importance of getting involved in the community and making Zanesville an inviting place to live and visit. 

Wagner added that Wintucky’s comments about encouraging young people to be entrepreneurial and active in the community were spot on.