Initiatives & Events

The Celebrate Youth Luncheon in Seneca County, Ohio, is an annual event dedicated to recognizing local youth and adults who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service and personal development. 

Core Purpose & Awards

Youth Asset Builder Awards: The primary focus is honoring individuals who embody the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets. These assets are evidence-based indicators—such as honesty, service to others, and achievement motivation—that help youth develop into healthy, responsible adults.

Target Honorees: Awards are given to roughly 35–50 recipients annually, including students from county schools and adults who invest significant "time, energy, and heart" into mentoring youth. 

Event Logistics

Host Organizations: The event is a long-standing collaboration between the Rotary Club of Tiffin and the Seneca County Family & Children First Council.

Venue: It is traditionally held at the Camden Falls Reception and Conference Center in Tiffin.

Key Speakers: Seneca County Juvenile Court Judge Jay Meyer typically presents the awards and speaks on the importance of overcoming asset deficiencies. 

Recent History

26th Annual Event: Held on November 12, 2024, honoring 35 individuals including youth leaders and adult mentors like Jim Jarrett.

25th Anniversary: Celebrated in November 2023, marking a milestone for a program that began over 25 years ago with a grant focused on improving family life.

The SMYL Basket Party is a signature annual fundraiser held in Tiffin, Ohio, to support Seneca Mentoring Youth Links (SMYL). 

Event Overview

Purpose: Proceeds benefit the SMYL Foundation, which funds mentoring programs for local youth ages 6–17 and the "Impact" after-school tutoring program.

Format: It is a massive basket raffle featuring over 100 themed baskets filled with donated prizes from local businesses and community members.

Pricing: Attendees typically purchase raffle tickets to "drop" into buckets for the baskets they hope to win. Recent ticket pricing has been 100 tickets for $30.

Location: The event is traditionally hosted at The Chandelier Event Course in downtown Tiffin. 

Annual Timing & Success

Schedule: The party is often held on a Thursday evening in September, coinciding with the Downtown Tiffin Pizza Party hosted by the Seneca County Young Professionals.

Impact: The 2024 event featured 105 baskets and raised over $5,000 specifically from the raffle, contributing to a larger donation of $7,000 from the Young Professionals that year. 

For updates on the next event date or to donate a basket, you can follow the official SMYL Facebook page. 

The Family Fest in Seneca County is a free annual community event designed to provide local families with a day of entertainment while connecting them to valuable community resources. It is primarily hosted by the Seneca County Family and Children First Council (FCFC) and the Department of Job and Family Services. 

Event Highlights

Free Activities: The festival typically features a wide range of no-cost entertainment, including large inflatables, face painting, pottery painting, and crafts.

Interactive Exhibits: Families can participate in "touch-a-truck" events with local police and fire department vehicles.

Community Resources: Over 20 local vendors and agencies—such as OhioRISE and Help Me Grow—set up tables to provide health and wellness information and giveaways to parents.

Pool Access: The event often includes free swimming for designated hours at the Tiffin City Pool.

Food: While most activities are free, multiple local food trucks are on-site with food and beverages available for purchase. 

Typical Logistics

Location: The festival is held at Hedges-Boyer Park in Tiffin, utilizing the park’s all-inclusive playground and shelter houses.

Timing: It generally takes place on a Saturday in mid-to-late June from late morning to mid-afternoon.

2025 Date: June 14, 2025.

2024 Date: June 22, 2024.