Grants Awarded for Youth in Samantha Otte’s Memory

The grants, totaling more than $55,000 were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri at PHAST Tracks, one of this year’s grant recipients. Since the fund was established in late 2000, more than $578,000 has been distributed through grants to support kids in Samantha’s memory.  

"This distribution from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund is the largest amount given in any single year -- over $55,000,” said June Otte, Samantha’s mother. “It's wonderful to see all the goodness happening in Samantha's memory. From all of Samantha’s family and friends, we are deeply grateful to all who have made this possible."

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund honors the life and legacy of Samantha Otte by helping area children reach their full potential. Samantha passed away in March 2000 at age 10 after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis. Shortly after, Samantha’s parents, Chuck and June Otte, decided to start a fund in their daughter’s memory at the Community Foundation. The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund was the Foundation’s first donor advised fund. 

“Children are our future, and by supporting local kids, we grow our community’s potential,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “It is an honor to award these grants in Sammy’s memory, knowing that her spark and spirit lives on through each child who benefits. We are grateful to the Ottes, their friends and family, and the continued contributions of the Gem City Kiwanis for this meaningful gift to our region.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Birthday Blessings: To fill the funding gap between the needs of foster children and government funding in Northeast Missouri

Bluff City Theater: To help fund the restart of the youth theater program 

Chart Teen Task Force: To allow for an expansion of current sexuality education in schools to address the topic of menstrual periods with youth girls

Clayton Public Library: Support for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program for children 8 to 12 years of age

Cornerstone: Foundations for Families: Comprehensive Youth Services program providing mental health counseling and advocacy services

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank: Diapers for low income families/children

Embrace Children and Families: To allow for the purchase of two sewing machines for use in teaching foster children sewing skills

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: Membership assistance and camperships for girls in need of financial assistance

Horizons Social Services of Adams County: Weekend meals for 50 low-income children for the Spring 2024 semester through the Kidz Pack program

Jackson – Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc.:  Purchase inflatable target practice wall and water toys for the pool 

John Wood Community College Foundation:  Support for JDub Academy Summer Youth program by subsidizing transportation of students to and from program activities

John Wood Community College Foundation: Purchase instructional supplies for students enrolled in the College for Life program 

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis: To bring the Junior Achievement program to Lincoln Douglas students age kindergarten through 2nd grade

Liberty CUSD #2: For enhanced scientific education opportunities for students at Liberty School District through The Travelling Science Center 

Penny Denise Lewis Foundation: To purchase benches and basketball netting for the basketball courts of Frederick Ball Complex 

Quincy Art Center: For visual arts education for Grade K – 3rd students in Adams County through the stARTing with Art Program

Quincy Children’s Museum: Assist in funding the Ready Set Grow program for Adams County children and families 

Quincy Community Theatre: Financial assistance for students participating in Triple Threat Boot Camp and student theater programs 

QUEST Stables: To provide therapeutic horse-riding scholarships for children with cognitive, mental, and physical challenges and/or limitations 

Quincy Public Library: To provide laptops and iPads for the Mobile Library

Quincy Public Schools: Water therapy services for QPS special education/Cross Cat students 

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association: Tuition scholarship for low-income participants in Youth Choir and Youth Orchestra and for the purchase of printed music

Salvation Army Kroc Center of Quincy: Purchase materials for new classes for children, including Kids Art Days, Kids STEM project activities, Toddler Sensory open play times, etc. 

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc.:  Support child abuse prevention and awareness programs through school based and community education

The PHAST Foundation: For building materials and labor costs for a new indoor bike park in downtown Quincy

Transitions of Western Illinois: Purchase new rocking chairs for use by autistic students in the high school classroom of Transitions School

United Way of Adams County: Utility assistance for low-income families with children 

YMCA of West Central Illinois: Assist in funding the Kids Fit program