Funding families

Editor's note: The mission of the Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Michelle Wightman and Karrie Wieber, who lost their lives in a car-train collision on Feb. 19, 1989, by establishing a permanent, charitable foundation for the benefit of the Sandusky/Erie County community and the safety of all public citizens. SANDUSKY — Every child loves a piggyback ride. In 2007, the Piggyback Foundation was created to serve families with children under the age of 22, carrying them through tough times when a life-threatening illness strikes. The Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation has chosen to contribute $9,000 to an emergency fund for Erie County, administered by the Piggyback Foundation, to help families pay their rent or mortgage, make car repairs or provide other goods and services that families cannot afford due to illness. After a diagnosis, families are encouraged to apply to the Piggyback Foundation via the website, piggybackfoundation.org, or in person. Applications are reviewed each month by the foundation's board. Once a family is approved, a liaison is matched with the family to determine needs. Families are typically supported for one year. Two When Pigs Fly stores, in Huron and Norwalk, do resale/retail of gently used donated furniture, household decor and new clothing and accessories to support of the Piggyback Foundation. Profits from the shops in addition to grants, fundraisers and donations provide the funding for the families. Additionally, The Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation distributed funds in April to the following nonprofits: • American Red Cross of North Central Ohio to fund two blood drives in Erie County, $2,000• Anthony's Villa Residential Care Services: $5,000• Back to the Wild Wildlife Ambassador Feed: $5,000• Campbell Community Center Breakfast Buddies: $5,000• City of Sandusky: Safety Town, $10,000• Erie County Family & Children First Council: Getting Ahead Workshops, $1,000• Erie County Health Dept.: Safe Start Car Seat Initiative, $5,000• Erie County Sheriff's Office: Guardian Angel Safety Device Project, $2,500• Erie Metro Steamers Railroad: Tie and Rail Screw Replacement, $6,053• Erie Residential Living: Enhancing Residents Lives, $5,000• Firelands Habitat for Humanity: HVAC for a Habitat Home, $3,000• Firelands Symphony Orchestra: 2024 Outdoor Family Summer Pop Concert, $5,000• Friends of Erie Metro Parks: Education Mural for Roger Johnson Nature Center, $ 3,000• Friends of Huron Public Library Huron Public Library: Media Lab, $4,034• Margaretta 8th Grade Class: 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip, $1,850• Margaretta Elementary School: 5th Grade Science Fund, $4,000 • New Jerusalem Baptist Church Community Helping Hands, $3,850• OHgo Pantry Supplies: $7,500• Perkins Township Imagination Playground Project: $1,000• Polar Bear Swim Club Swim Program Support: $4,500• Sandusky High School Boys Basketball Assistance: $3,400• Sandusky High School Cheerleading: Summer Camp & Team Warm Ups, $4,000• Sandusky High School Football Team: Blue Streak Football Unity Camp, $5,000• Stein Hospice Grief Support Services for Erie County: $5,040• Woodlands Elementary School: Music Dept. Instruments for Grades 3-5, $3,500