ASHLAND — Lori Gottfried thought she had a meeting Thursday at the Ashland County Community Foundation.
She frequently communicates with ACCF through her volunteer work for Ashland Church Community Emergency Shelter Services, a coalition of Christian congregations that provide temporary housing and meals for homeless women and families.
“I was excited about coming today because I thought it was for ACCESS,” Gottfried told Ashland Source, after the surprise ceremony that followed.
Unbeknownst to her, when she arrived at the ACCF building, her family, ACCESS colleagues and friends were gathered inside to surprise her with the Freedom from Selfishness Award.
The Freedom from Selfishness Award is given by the Women’s Fund of ACCF annually to an Ashland County woman who demonstrates long standing commitment to philanthropy in honor of Lucille G. Ford, the ACCF founding president.
Gottfried has become a pillar of Ashland ACCESS since she began volunteering in 2016, said ACCESS executive director Cathy Thiemens.
Gottfried has since served as a board member and treasurer, but before taking on any leadership roles she purchased and donated a property — four one-bedroom apartments for ACCESS to use as temporary housing.
“Nobody does this,” Thiemens said regarding Gottfried’s donation. “Nobody does this. Nobody goes out and buys apartments for homeless women and families.”
Gottfried also donates the rental income from two businesses on the property to ACCESS, and overall commits a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per week, handling finances and taking care of any needs that may arise.
“Ashland County could not have ACCESS if it was not for this woman,” Thiemens said.
In addition to her volunteer work with ACCESS, Gottfried is a member of the Ashland Noon Lions (for which she does fundraising and this year volunteered at COVID-19 vaccine clinics) and Rowsburg Lutheran Church (for which she often collects and delivers food as well as prints the weekly bulletin).
Gottfried’s husband, Fred Gottfried, nominated her for the award. In her name Thursday, he also donated $10,000 to ACCF’s forthcoming childcare center.
“Through ACCESS I’ve learned (childcare) is the most needed thing our guests need,” said Fred Gottfried, who Lori Gottfried convinced to volunteer with ACCESS, as well.
Joann Ford Watson, the daughter of Lucille G. Ford, shared remarks she crafted with her mother during the ceremony Thursday.
“You devote yourself completely to the betterment of others,” Ford Watson said on behalf of her and her mother. “You are a gift of love to others and a blessing to us all.”
Ford Watson described Gottfried’s work with ACCESS and elsewhere not as her giving handouts but a hand up.
In addition to providing funds and housing, Gottfried helps with job training and emotional support so women are able to find jobs and subsequently their own stable housing, which they usually do after approximately 90 days in ACCESS housing, Gottfried said.
While attendees and speakers Thursday touted Gottfried’s work, Gottfried credited her ability to do what she has to support from her family and colleagues.
“It’s a community effort,” she said.
Nominees for the Freedom from Selfishness Award must be current residents of Ashland County, and must have lived in Ashland for at least the past 20 years. The women’s fund received nominations from Ashland residents, and then the award recipient is selected from the nominations submitted by a committee of the Women’s Fund of Richland County Foundation.
Past award recipients include Nancy T. Davis (2014), Janet L. Archer (2015), Nancy E. Kopp (2016), Ann J. Miller (2017), Dr. JoAnn Ford Watson (2018), Diana S. Brechbuhler (2019) and Dr. Julia Wright (2020).
