$30,000 Donated to Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation for Haiti
The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation (PRCF) has received a $30,000 donation from Missions International of America (MIA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2002 by Perrysburg residents Dr. Jay and Jan Nielsen. Missions International of America’s goal is to provide sustainable medical care, education, agricultural programs, and basic supplies to the people of Savanette-Sud, Haiti.
“We are excited to work with the Nielsen’s and their organization through our Foundation,” says Jack Sculfort, Executive Director of the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation. “Their contribution is in keeping with our goal of becoming the go-to Community Foundation in greater Perrysburg and Northern Wood County. This includes our Foundation support of not only local projects but also international charitable organizations that have ties to our local community.”
The $30,000 donation from Missions International of America created a PRCF Donor Directed Fund. “In this case, the entire amount of the donation is earmarked to support Missions International of America,” says Sculfort. “It encourages other donors interested in helping the residents of this region in Haiti to contribute to this specific fund that we have established.”
About Missions International of America
The roots of Missions International of America go back to the early 2000s when Jay Nielsen, MD and the President of MIA volunteered to travel to Haiti and serve as a medical doctor for the residents of Savanette-Sud, Haiti. At the time, it was an area lacking in education and water, with rampant slave trading and a very poor economy. Dr. Nielsen fell in love with the residents and became committed to help. In 2002, he and his wife, Jan-Meier Nielsen, LPCC, formed Missions International of America.
The Nielsens have dedicated decades of their lives to making life better for the people of Savanette-Sud. Jan Nielsen says there are many layers to their work.
“When we first started, our goal was to build a little school,” says Jan Nielsen. “We started with K-2nd grade, and now the school is K-12.” The school was named the Brad Reddick School, in honor of the former Perrysburg resident and friend of the Nielsens -- an active Christian leader, tireless volunteer, and devoted father of eight. Missions International of America has grown and evolved from offering a school to include a farm resource center, a surgery center, free health clinic, sewing center, and gardens.
Where do they get their funding? Jan Nielsen says it has been made possible by the help of many people who have given small amounts such as $20-$50. “These people share a piece of our mission and can take ownership in it,” says Jan Nielsen. “We’ve made probably 50-60 trips to Haiti and have taken many donors with us.”
The Nielsen’s even took possession of the original Ft. Imagination playground from Woodland Park when it was replaced by a new version, and they have transported it to Haiti. “The children only have a small jungle-gym, so the repurposed Ft. Imagination will be a big hit when it has been assembled,” says Jan Nielsen.
Unfortunately, the Nielsens have not been able to travel to Haiti due to the gang violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The Nielsens say their area in Haiti is safe, but they cannot get to it in a safe manner. They are hoping the situation will resolve soon so they can return.
The “Go-To Community Foundation”
The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation was established in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Over the past 20 years, the PRCF has contributed $1 million to develop Perrysburg Rotary Community Park along with many other additional contributions to other local as well as international projects. The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation has served the community as the direct result of many years of fundraising efforts and generous contributions by Rotarians and their friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Area 501(c)(3) organizations are encouraged to submit grant applications, which can be found on this website.
The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation is seeking other contributions to the MIA Directed Donation Fund. In addition, the Foundation provides community members with avenues to contribute via Donor Advised Funds, planned giving, bequests, life insurance policies, one-time gifts, or sustained giving.
If you are interested in learning more about the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation (prcf.org) and its philanthropy or are considering contributing to the organization, please contact PRCF Executive Director Jack T. Sculfort at 419-343-5920 or jack.sculfort@prcf.org.
