Hilty Preschool and Child Care Center, Pandora, is the recipient of an $8,760 grant to purchase a new smart board, HEPA air filters, new cots and new bikes.

The grant is from the Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana, which will hold a golf tournament July 5-11 at Highland Meadows Golf Club, Sylvania.

The Hilty Preschool and Child Care Center was encouraged by parents who work at Marathon to apply for funding.

Chris Moser, MHCO director of resource development and church relations, and Amanda Dettrow, Hilty Preschool and Child Care Center director, submitted an application, which was accepted.

Dettrow said, “We are so grateful to be chosen as one of this year’s recipients. As a non-profit, inter-generational preschool, these funds will be used to help us with updating many aspects of our program for health and safety. 

“A large portion will go toward an update of our smart board in our preschool room. Covid has shown us just how important technology is, especially for our young learners and as a piece of our intergenerational program.  

“We can visit with our residents, even if we cannot be in the same room, and travel on field trips to help children explore the world around them without leaving the classroom. 

About the golfing event
Since its inception, the tournament has become a highlighted stop on the LPGA tour. The purse has grown substantially from that first year to $1.6 million today. 

The tournament has become a huge event in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan attracting over 50,000 spectators. The tournament attracts all ages to watch the greatest women golfers in the world compete. 

Over the years, the tournament has donated millions of dollars to local children's charities.