WARREN — The Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation, an organization created to honor Ross Griffin, a Howland native who lost his life to suicide in February, has funded several initiatives that support its mission.

Steve Lewis, foundation fund adviser, said various organizations will share in the $150,000 raised during the Ross Griffin Memorial Bash held in September.

Groups to get a donation include the Ohio University Foundation to be used for education scholarships, counseling, psychological services, faculty training, and for a Greek leadership award; Help Network NEO for a public service awareness campaign; the Howland Community Scholarship Foundation for educational scholarships to Howland graduates; and to Howland Schools for a PAX training series for faculty.

A portion of the money will remain in the foundation’s endowment fund to support the group’s mission in the years to come.

“The mission of the foundation is to provide funding to local students that seek higher education opportunities within the state of Ohio and to provide much needed funding for help centers that focus on troubled youth that may be a danger to themselves or their community,” said Lewis.

The 2019 Ross Griffin Memorial Bash is being planned for Sept. 8 at the SLOAS Airfield, 4059 North River Road, Howland. The event features a three-hour raffle with prizes, like cars and money, awarded every five minutes. Winners need not be present. Tickets are $100 and are available for purchase at www.rossgrif finmemorialbash.com.

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