Community Shelter Board Celebrates Families, Supporters

COLUMBUS, OHIO, June 6, 2002 — Families working passionately to improve the quality of life in Central Ohio and the thousands of families and individuals who have found a home and hope for the future were celebrated during the Eighth Annual Mel Schottenstein Birthday Celebration at The Columbus Convention Center today.

Ron Pizzuti, Honorary Event Chair and Chairman of The Pizzuti Companies, and his family shared their experiences with the Community Shelter Board as well as their support of CSB’s mission. “Too many people are being left out of the American Dream of living together with their families in a decent home,” said Pizzuti. “Thanks to generous support from the people we honor today, homeless families and individuals are getting the help they need through the work of a strong Community Shelter Board.”

Pizzuti announced that Battelle would serve as the lead corporate sponsor for CSB’s 2003 celebration, followed by Huntington National Bank for the 10^th anniversary celebration in 2004 and Grange Insurance for 2005.

Community Shelter Board Executive Director Barbara Poppe shared successes of the Community Shelter Board and the Rebuilding Lives program over the past year: new shelter facilities were opened at Faith Mission on 8^th Avenue and the Engagement Center at Maryhaven; Community Housing Network, Faith Mission, and Volunteers of America opened Employment Resource Centers; Sunshine Terrace, Parsons Avenue Apartments, and several other supportive housing units opened for long-term homeless persons as part of the Rebuilding Lives plan.

“The success of the Community Shelter Board in meeting the emergency needs of homeless people is built upon strong relationships across the community,” said Poppe. “Support from the public and private sector enables us to advance innovative solutions to today’s problems, and continue to work to end homelessness in our community.”

Rebecca Kastan, the oldest grandchild of Mel Schottenstein, talked about her family’s deep rooted commitment to helping those in need and the responsibility to carry on Mel’s work. She introduced her aunt and uncle, the event Co-Chairs Eric and Melanie Schottenstein.

“My father (Mel Schottenstein) believed that a life is not fulfilled unless you do your part in the community,” said Eric Schottenstein. “I ask you to do the same - pass along a passion for service to the next generation.”

This year’s event featured a theater presentation from Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School Theater Ensemble, a musical presentation from Schuyler Johnson, a 7^th grade student at W.C. Handy Middle School for the Performing Arts, and a special appearance by a local a cappella group “Throat Culture,” who performed the annual event favorite, “Mel’s Song.”

Founded in 1986 by Mel Schottenstein and other community leaders who felt it was unacceptable for any man, woman, or child to be homeless in Columbus, the Community Shelter Board has contributed more than $55 million to break the cycle of homelessness in Central Ohio over the past 16 years. The Mel Schottenstein Birthday Celebration rekindles the spirit of the founder by recognizing those who support the efforts of the Community Shelter Board.

The mission of CSB is to end homelessness in Franklin County. In addition to the funds raised by this event, CSB receives support from the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and various other donors.

Major funders of the 2002 Mel Schottenstein Birthday Celebration are:

Corporate Superstars

$25,000 and above

Ameritech/SBC (Community Technology Fund of Ohio)

Bank One, NA

The Columbus Foundation

Harry C. Moores Foundation

Limited Brands

Nationwide Foundation

The Pizzuti Companies

Lenore S. Sagner

Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn Co., LPA

Worthington Industries

Major Corporate Sponsors

$10,000 and above

Anonymous

Battelle

Cardinal Health

Crane Plastics Company

Dominion Homes

Grange Insurance

Hattie & Robert Lazarus Fund

The Huntington National Bank

Ingram-White Castle Foundation

jbw Productions

The Leo Yassenoff Foundation

M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc.

Nacht/Hilbrands/Rackoff Families Fund

National City

Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing

The Reinberger Family Foundation

The Sagner Family Foundation

Schottenstein Stores Corporation

The Walter and Marian English Foundation

Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.