Organization Spotlight: Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial Project

The mission of the Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial Project as a component of the Greene County Community Foundation is to design and develop a permanent memorial honoring service members who…

were born in or lived in the City of Fairborn,
were born in or lived in the town of Fairfield,
were born in or lived in the town Osborn,
were born in or lived in Bath Township or
a military member who is/was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB.

This memorial will have a special focus especially on service members who died for their country.

Conversation with Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial Project

Edward Marrinan of Greene Giving spoke with subcommittee member, Jo Ann Collins, about the mission and vision of this new memorial honoring our veterans.

Jo Ann shared: “Many people during this current time of year are giving to help support different charitable organizations. A group of volunteers including businesses, citizens and officials from the City of Fairborn, working very since 2016, established a long overdue project.

The City of Fairborn has been blessed with a tribute to the military with the beautiful traffic circle of flags in the center of town. What has been discussed is the extension of that by building a Military Veterans Memorial to recognize those who, over many wars and years, gave their lives for their country and our freedom.”

Jo Ann went on to share that this memorial is meant to be a testament to our veterans while simultaneously sharing the special personality of the Fairborn area. While the project recently passed the midway point in their funding, they are still in need of financial support from local businesses, citizens, groups and organizations that would like to give back to this lifetime memorial.

If you are interested in donating, you have several options:

Donate online through the secure Greene Giving donation page. Be sure to list ‘Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial’ in the gift designation box.
Donate by check by making the checks payable to: Greene County Community Foundation.
- In the memo section, be sure to write ‘Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial’.
- Checks can be mailed to: Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial c/o: Fairborn Chamber of Commerce 12 North Central Ave Fairborn, OH 45324
Call Greene Giving at 937-458-2065 and pay securely by credit card over the phone.

Honoring Our Veterans, and Memorializing the Fallen

While we recognize that nothing can truly encapsulate the sacrifice that these men and women gave for our country, it is our duty to remind them each and every day how very grateful we are for them and their service. Through this memorial, the Fairborn community will be able to accomplish just that. Will you join them?

To stay up to date with the Fairborn Military Veterans Memorial Project, you can visit their website at https://www.fairbornvetsmemorial.com/ and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fairbornmemorial.

October 1, 2026

A Wish Written 40 Years Ago Comes Full Circle

John Smith, founder of Buckman’s Harley-Davidson in Xenia, wrote a letter approximately 40 years ago expressing his hope to give back to local students through vocational education. He envisioned a partnership with the Greene County Career Center that would provide students with hands-on experience and opportunities to prepare for careers as automotive and motorcycle mechanics.

September 8, 2026

Big Ideas, Bright Futures: Greene County Teachers Put Grants to Work

Every day, teachers across Greene County strive to make a lasting impact on students both inside and outside the classroom. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment to help students learn and grow deserves to be recognized and celebrated. The James Investment Greene County Public School Teacher of the Year Award provided an opportunity to do just that.

August 25, 2026

Honoring Carol Pfeifer: Supporting the Next Generation of Educators

The Carol Pfeifer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2023 to honor the life and legacy of Carol Pfeifer and her 24-year dedication to early childhood education at Mini University. After losing Carol unexpectedly in August 2022, her family- her husband, Jerry, and children Elissa and Andy- wanted to create a lasting tribute to her passion for teaching and the countless children, families, and educators she influenced throughout her career. They came to Greene Giving and asked our help to bring it to reality.