These grants are funded by profits from the Coffee and Gift shop in Marietta Memorial Hospital, which is run by Welfare League volunteers.

League President Susan Feil says, “This year we were able to give away over $22,000, and that’s divided among, in different amounts, 23 different organizations.”

The agencies are chosen by application process and receive grants ranging from five hundred to five thousand dollars.

Just a few of this year’s recipients include: Habitat for Humanity, Veterans of Foreign Wars, several elementary schools, Camp Hervida, the O’Neill Senior Center, Devola pool, Boys & Girls Club and the Betsy Mills.

“And then, of course, we always give money back to the Hospital (through the Foundation) because they provide that space to us for no charge,” says Feil.

The Marietta Welfare League also holds an annual auction to raise funds for their Shoe Tag program which provides shoes to local needy children. Feil adds that the Hospital gift shop is their largest continuous fundraiser.

“We operate the gift shop so that we can give back to Washington County,” says Feil. “Most often we try to help kids, but we’re giving away to other organizations too, that are doing some good things in the area.”

Susan Feil says Washington County residents have been generous this year in helping them fulfill that mission.