Family of former resident helps Marsh

Over the Easter weekend, members of a family now living in Charlotte, N.C., returned to Van Wert to give back to an organization that helped their own family many years ago.  In the 1940s Shirley Haight came to live at The Marsh. In 2011, her daughter Cindy Henderson and grandson Ian returned with the hope of giving back.

Although Haight passed away in 1988, Henderson never forgot how much The Marsh had meant to her. “Mom always talked very positive about The Marsh and often told us stories about living here,” she said. So, when it came time for her 16-year-old son to pick a spring service project for school, she thought The Marsh would provide a wonderful opportunity.

Ian has already done several service projects as part of his private education, but he said he has enjoyed The Marsh the most. “I’ve had a lot of fun and it’s much more family oriented here,” he said, comparing it to some of his past projects. Ian planned an Easter egg hunt for the youth on campus as well as provided baskets for everyone that included candy, gift cards and other treats.

Following the hunt on Saturday afternoon, the youth presented Ian with a picture of his grandmother and voiced their thanks. “We got so much more out of this than them,” Cindy Henderson said.

The Hendersons were also joined in Van Wert by Cindy’s sister Lori Linser, and sister and brother-in-law Cathy and Don Anderson. The family had the opportunity to see the campus on Friday evening and was provided a tour of the historic Homestead. They also had dinner and spent some free time with the boys at Marsh Hall. “It was a good time,” said Ian Henderson. “We got a great tour of the house, I enjoyed dinner and we had time to play some video games together.”

According to Cindy, the family definitely enjoyed their time at The Marsh. “We hate to leave,” she said. “But we will definitely be back.”

Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7-17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.

The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org.