| Ready for a fresh start? The MICOCF team is focused on action for 2026! In this issue you’ll find the latest news and Tammy’s personal wishes for the best start of the new year! |
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Check out this month’s spotlight events!
A New Year, A Historic Gift: Supporting Paola Robotics
Happy New Year, Miami County! I am thrilled to kick off 2026 with some truly incredible news.
One of my favorite parts of being your Executive Director is seeing how your generosity changes lives.
I had the honor of visiting Paola High School to present a $1,000 check to the Panther Robotics Team.
This gift was made possible through the Bruce Kelly Memorial Fund, and it represents everything we strive for: community, mentorship, and investing in our youth.
The Legacy of the “Boiler Whisperer”
This fund was created by Peggy Kelly in memory of her husband, Bruce, a brilliant engineer known as the “Boiler Whisperer.” Bruce was also a musician who saw a deep connection between the two worlds.
As Peggy beautifully puts it:
“Music is a creative process built upon a structured form… Engineering is based on structured laws of nature and rules of practice. Both are used to support infinite possibilities of design and sound.”
Bruce’s true passion was mentoring others to find their voice. He was deeply impressed by the Paola Panther Robotics Team.
Peggy shared: “If a young person has an opportunity to discover something that strikes their passion, it can be life-changing.”
We are so proud to support these students. Thank you, Peggy, for carrying on Bruce’s legacy!
A Message from Tammy: Writing Our 2026 Story Together
As we look forward to the New Year, I can’t help but feel a sense of profound hope.
The new year stands before us like a fresh chapter in a book, waiting to be written. January is that first blank page of a 12-chapter story, and we are the writers.
At the Miami County Community Foundation, we are busy writing our own book, and we want it to include every corner of our county.
Our goal this year is to identify and fill the philanthropic voids that exist in our community. Whether it’s supporting a new local initiative or funding a long-standing need, we want to bridge those gaps.
Will your story this year include philanthropy? If you are interested in helping us fill those voids – or if you know of a community need that isn’t being met – please reach out to me.
May this year bring new chapters of growth, opportunity, and positive change as we continue our shared journey to build a better future for Miami County.
Cheers to a 2026 full of newfound opportunities and endless possibilities!
Sending you all my best,
Tammy
Board Member Highlight – Nick Scheffer
his month, we’re putting the spotlight on one of the dedicated community champions guiding the work of MICOCF: Board Member Nick Scheffer!
Nick has called Miami County home for most of his life, and his mission is simple yet impactful: “Strengthening the community by connecting vital resources with those who need them most”.
As the Retail Banking Coordinator for Landmark National Bank’s East Region, he understands the power of strong local ties, and how important they are in the fabric of the community.
Nick is also engaged with organizations like Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, and he believes that “when everyone has the tools to succeed, the entire community thrives.”
Local Recipe Spotlight: Finding Home in Miami County
This month’s spotlight is more than just a dish; it is a moving story of community, kindness, and finding true belonging. We are thrilled to feature Amanda Hambleton, who shares her personal journey from moving eight times in ten years to finally saying:“We are never leaving.”
Amanda’s Journey: From Big City to Deep Roots
Amanda and her family settled in Miami County over ten years ago. While they initially moved a few more times for work, it was in the last four years that everything changed, when they got involved with the community.
“Relationships grew quickly once we did… It still amazes me how fast you meet people and how meaningful those connections become when you pour yourself into schools.”
This spirit of connection became evident during times of crisis. When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Amanda put out a simple request for coats that quickly transformed into an entire box truck packed with donations, escorted by the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.
“I will never forget watching practically the whole county rally together for people they had never met.”
The support deepened when the family faced major health scares with one of their children. The outpouring of love and support was heartwarming beyond words. Amanda credits Paola and Miami County first responders for saving her child’s life.
“Recently we were given a tour of the Sheriff’s Department, and I thought, ‘Only in a small town does this kind of warmth happen.’ Every time I leave and come home, Miami County feels like a deep breath of fresh air.”
Today, Amanda says the familiar, caring faces at the schools and around town are what pulled her out of the fog of those traumatic times.
“Miami County is not just where we live. It is home, and it feels like the biggest blessing we never saw coming.”
To celebrate the warmth and connection she has found here, Amanda is sharing her family’s favorite, super-simple 3-Ingredient Sausage Dip. It is the perfect comforting dish for a cold January evening or your next football game gathering!
(Double for a large group)
- 1 16 ounce pork sausage (Jimmy Dean)
- 1 can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 bar of cream cheese
- Bag of tortilla chips
Simple Directions
- Brown the sausage. While the sausage is browning, drain the water out of the Rotel.
- In a separate pot, melt the cream cheese. Do this on low heat and stir quickly.
- Once the cheese is melted, pour in your drained can of Rotel. Stir together.
- Take the cheesy Rotel mixture and pour it over your cooked sausage. Stir together.
- Serve with tortilla chips!
| If you don’t know me. I am Tammy Booe, Executive Director of MICOCF. You can read about me in this article. I’m so excited to get to know you all better and continue making a difference together! |
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Stay Connected with Me and the MICOCF Family
I love getting to know more of you and seeing all the ways we can work together to make Miami County even better. Keep following along, sharing our updates, and letting me know what you want to see in future newsletters! We’re in this together, and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.
Have a local talent or small business you’d like to spotlight? Know a hidden gem in Miami County that everyone should visit? Or maybe you have a fall season tip or fun activity you love to do in the County?
Drop us a message, and we might just feature you in our next newsletter or social media!
Sending you all the love,