"It
is unacceptable for anyone in our community to go without food or shelter for
even one night." ...
Mel Schottenstein
Founder, Community Shelter Board
Melvin L. Schottenstein spent much of his childhood living in the small
central Ohio town of Bellefontaine and moved to Columbus in the mid 1950s
where he married Lenore (Lenny) Green. The two raised their children (Holly, Eric, Amy and Julie)
and dedicated their family to making Columbus a great and caring city.
Mel’s community leadership is legendary, spanning
arts, education, religious organizations and business associations.
Creating the opportunity to help others served as the common theme that
founded his tireless efforts in leadership.
Mel founded the Community Shelter Board in 1986.
His bottom line inability to accept any situation that left a man,
woman or child without food or shelter motivated Columbus to provide for all
citizens in need of assistance.
Under
Lenny’s leadership, the first the Mel Schottenstein Birthday Celebration was
held on June 5, 1995. Through the
Annual Mel Schottenstein Birthday Celebration, CSB has generated significant
corporate, foundation, and individual support during the past ten years.
In 1995, the event raised $450,000 and in 2007 the event raised just
over $1,100,000.
By chairing the event
annually, the Schottenstein children work have continued in Mel’s footsteps
to ensure the on-going success of the Community Shelter Board.