Three separate grants make up The R.L. and Etta L. Triplett Foundation’s 2022 grant distribution, which totals $4,700, according to Tomm Triplett, foundation board president.

This year’s distribution includes $2,000 for a scholarship given to Olivia McCamery, $1,375 to Bluffton Family Recreation and $1,375 to the Bluffton Senior Citizens Association.

BHS graduate scholarship
Olivia McCamery, a 2022 Bluffton High School graduate, will enroll at Bluffton University this fall intending to major in Special Education. She is the daughter of Robin and Michael Romick. 

The foundation has begun providing scholarships to Bluffton High School graduates planning to attend Bluffton University. Olivia’s is the first scholarship awarded by the foundation.

Bluffton Family Recreation
BFR, 215 Snider Rd., will use the grant primarily to upgrade its youth sports equipment.

“This grant allows us to better serve our participants and improve the quality of our programs, impacting  our youngest through senior participants,” said Amy Byers, BFR director.

“At the top of our list is updating our T-ball equipment, which is 15 years old. We will also purchase additional Size-3 soccer balls and replace a pickleball net.”  

BFR’s youth sports programs include nearly 120 youth sports teams involving nearly 1,400 youths over a 12-month period.

Bluffton Senior Citizens Association
The Bluffton Senior Center, 132 N. Main, averages about 12 day trips a year from March through December. 

“We plan to use the money to subsidize the day trips for persons who could use some financial help paying for a trip,” said director Tonya Meyer. 

“Day trips provide more than entertainment. They provide education, socialization and an emotional boost to those who have been stuck at home for a couple of years due to the pandemic,” she added. 

“This grant allows more senior citizens a chance to participate in these fun activities. We are very grateful.”

 Members will need to fill out an application to receive grant funding.

About the foundation
R.L. Triplett was the founder of the Triplett Corp. of Bluffton. His wife, Etta Lantz Triplett, was the founder of the Bluffton College Home Economics Department. The foundation incorporated in 1985 and has contributed in excess of $150,000 to Bluffton area organizations from requests it receives. 

Board members include Tomm Triplett, president; Fred Steiner, vice-president; Pam Weisenbarger, secretary; James West, treasurer and Terry Mullenhour.

For more information about the foundation contact Triplett at [email protected], or write to Triplett Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 158, Bluffton, OH 45817.