Bulldog Foundation to host ‘Building Futures Extravaganza’ - Rossford Record

The Bulldog Foundation is proud to present the first annual “Building Futures Extravaganza.”

The fund-raising dinner will be Thursday, May 31, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons, Perrysburg.

Eight-season NFL running back and ESPN football analyst Merril Hoge will be the guest speaker.

“Drawing on his experiences as an NFL star and cancer survivor, Merril will share important lessons on overcoming obstacles and achieving success through hard work and perseverance,” said Doug Miller, president of the board for the Bulldog Foundation.

“Merril will inspire us with his story of prevailing over life’s hurdles through strength and determination.”

Mr. Hoge began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted in 1987 and played until 1993, leading the team in rushing and receiving in four of his first five years, setting a record in his third year for receptions by a running back.

In 1993, Mr. Hoge went to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he played for one year, until he was forced to retire early due to post-concussion syndrome.

At retirement, Mr. Hoge had played in 122 consecutive football games, the longest playing streak in the NFL at that time.

In 1995, Mr. Hoge joined ESPN as a football analyst, and worked on “NFL Match Up,” which was the only show studying coaches’ tape to provide an inside look at the game.

He also served as analyst for the ESPN shows “NFL Live,” “Sports Center,” “Primetime” and “NFL Countdown.”

“During his tenure as an ESPN analyst and host, he was well-known for his sharp knowledge of the game,” Mr. Miller explained.

In 2003, Mr. Hoge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he fought with the same tenacity demonstrated on the field. He shared his moving story in his 2010 memoir, “Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life.”

“These successes and challenges have helped Merril inspire others to persevere in the face of adversity along with achieving success,” Mr. Miller said.

A leading advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association and Safety in Sports, he also is an active contributor to shaping communications regarding head trauma in all sports.

In addition, he is chairman of the board of the Caring Place, a center for grieving children and their families who have lost a loved one.

Tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of 10 for $800.

VIP sponsors are being sought for the event, and they will have the opportunity to attend a private reception with Mr. Hoge prior to the dinner.

The Bulldog Foundation is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization committed to building futures for students in the

Rossford School District with scholarships and classroom grants.

Also serving on the Bulldog Foundation board are Amy Austin, Moe Minarcin, Ed Reiter, Neil MacKinnon III, Rex Huffman, Joseph Schaller, Tim Yenrick, Tim Myers and Kent Murphree.

For more information, visit the Bulldog Foundation website at thebulldogfoundation.org.

Bulldog Foundation awards four grants - Rossford Record

By Beth Church

The Bulldog Foundation has awarded grants to four Rossford School District teachers.

Doug Miller, president of the foundation board, presented checks totaling $1,810 at the March 19 board of education meeting.

“One of the goals of the foundation is to further academic excellence and creativity,” he explained.

“We’re happy to award these grants.”

Mr. Miller said the foundation is pleased that the awards address a number of areas and programs of learning at the schools.

Shelly Bertsch, the district’s library/media coordinator, received a $500 grant for a Marvel Mania program that will include a visit from Kirbi Fagan, world-class illustrator for Marvel comic books, movie posters and other bestselling books for teens and young adults.

“Students will hear what it takes to make it in the world of art and illustrate best-selling books,” Mr. Miller explained. “The students will also have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with the illustrator.”

About 380 students from the junior high and 20 from the high school are expected to participate.

The audio assistance program request from Martha Fellman, RJHS and RHS business teacher, received a $500 grant for purchasing earbuds to be used by about 110 students annually.

Ms. Fellman’s courses include a computer sound component throughout the semester, some requiring headphones on a daily basis.

Many students do not have earbuds or headphones to use in the lab, which place them at a disadvantage, Mr. Miller explained.

The grant allows all students to have access to the audio components, which will enhance their understanding of projects and tutorials.

Rachel Hood, RJHS science teacher, received a $460 grant of $460 to purchase a 3-D printer and replacement cartridges.

“3-D printers are becoming increasingly useful in a number of fields across science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as in art,” Mr. Miller said.

The students will gain experience preparing and creating designs that can be printed on a 3-D printer.

For a Science Day Extravaganza, RJHS science teacher Crystal Murtha received a $350 grant.

In May, eighth-grade students will host the event for fourth graders featuring topics such as the solar system, the Earth’s tilt and the seasons, food chains, force, motion, light and sound.

They will research and create hands-on activities that preview fifth grade science standards.

“This project will give the fourth-grade students an opportunity to be successful and excited about the concepts that they will see next school year, as well as, giving the eighth-graders the opportunity to become leaders by being the teachers for the day,” Mr. Miller explained.

About 250 students will be impacted by the program, he added.

The grants are made possible by donations made to the Bulldog Foundation.

Also serving on the Bulldog Foundation board are Amy Austin, Moe Minarcin, Ed Reiter, Neil MacKinnon, Rex Huffman, Joseph Schaller, Tim Yenrick, Tim Myers and school board member Kent Murphree.

For more information on the independent, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or to make a donation, visit the website: thebulldogfoundation.org.