Family Makes Service an Easter Tradition at The Marsh Foundation

VAN WERT, Ohio – For the second straight year, a family now living in Charlotte, NC has returned to Van Wert on Easter weekend 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 Foundation. Now, her daughters Cindy Henderson and Lori Linser and her grandson Ian Henderson are making an Easter tradition out of visiting The Marsh. In 2011 and 2012, the family provided an Easter egg hunt and baskets for the youth in The Marsh residential programs.

Although Haight passed away in 1988, Cindy Henderson never forgot how much The Marsh had meant to her mother. The idea to return came to her last year when her son was looking for a spring service project for school and has since evolved into tradition that they hope to continue. “Easter was always a very special time for mom and for our family,” she said. “We hope to be able to continue this tradition for many years into the future.” Even with his busy baseball schedule and other activities, Ian planned an extravagant Easter egg hunt for the youth on campus as well as provided baskets for everyone that included candy, gift cards and other treats.

Seventeen-year-old Ian has done several service projects as part of his private education, but he said he really enjoys visiting The Marsh. “I’ve had a lot of fun while visiting,” he said. “It’s fun to meet the kids and hang out.” On Friday night, the family had the opportunity to have dinner with youth at Marsh Hall and enjoy some recreational time afterwards.

Prior to Saturday afternoon’s hunt, The Marsh presented the family with an auditorium seat inscribed in honor of their mother and grandmother. The inscription reads, “In loving memory of Shirley Haight Linser.” The gesture was a small token of appreciation for the kindness and generosity offered to The Marsh Foundation youth.

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.

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Photo caption

Cindy Henderson (front) sits in the auditorium seat inscribed to honor her mother, with her sister Lori Linser and son Ian behind her.