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Ten years ... a decade ... a milestone anniversary ... millions of dollars.

The Oxford Community Foundation celebrated all that and more at its annual meeting and 10th anniversary celebration Oct. 22.

Dubbed "The Power of 10" the evening included a dinner, entertainment and celebration of accomplishments in addition to the annual meeting and reports.

Officials used the occasion to announce a new Anniversary Fund intended to support the day-to-day operation of the foundation so that money donated can be used for the many community improvement projects identified for funding.

Many of those projects and causes were identified in a fictional community tour offered by Barb Cox, in a report from the grant committee.

"We all have the opportunity to be angels and heroes by giving to our community," Cox told the audience at the close of her tour.

She started her remarks by saying she had been asked to take a young couple on a tour of Oxford. She started her tour at Hueston Woods, went past the Family Resource Center, Community Counseling and Crisis Center and Oxford Pregnancy Care Center. Cox said that the young wife felt ill and was low income and pregnant so she told her of the Oxford College Corner Clinic.

She told the audience of some of the good done by the community foundation through what she then admitted was a fictional couple but explained that the tour was for the benefit of her audience.

She told of Learning Links grants by the foundation to help school projects, purchase of books for "Team Magpie" at Kramer school, playground equipment at Bogan Elementary and the workshop which opened the school year at Talawanda High School. She said funding also helped several Miami University student projects for community involvement, particularly the Sharefest effort that saved unneeded Miami student household items for families in need in the community at the end of the school year.

She highlighted other community efforts and closed with the comment, "The story is made up, but the projects are real."

Treasurer Ed Demske presented his report for the past year, but added the note that in 10 years, the Oxford Community Foundation has accrued an endowment of $3.5 million and has made grants of $1,067,000.

It was that success that prompted the designation of "The Power of 10."

"Our first decade demonstrates the positive impact that many people working together can have on their community," the statement of purpose for the evening noted.

Nominating committee member Sondra Engel submitted her group's report to the assembled audience and the proposed slate was approved. Re-elected president was Tom Collins and the vice president for the coming year will be J.K. Bhattacharjee. Treasurer will again be Demske with Beverly Thomas as assistant treasurer.

President Emeritus Jim Robinson praised those present for their contributions to the foundation, as well as the entire community over the past 10 years.

"When I look around the community and see what we have done, it is remarkable," Robinson said. "It is remarkable because of you. It's astounding and humbling."

He said the community cannot rest on its laurels, however, because community needs continue to increase.

"We have a great track record and it must continue," he said. "We have things to do and I know we will accomplish it."

Robinson also presented certificates of recognition to two retiring board members — Sondra Engel and Dr. Phillip Shriver.

Collins returned to the podium late in the evening after earlier announcing that the Anniversary Fund had reached $23,000 and held up several checks given to him that

evening.

"Twenty-four thousand, five hundred," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or bratterman@coxohio.com.