Cody Albert, a Shelby native and marketing manager for Ohio Health, was named the new board chairperson of The Shelby Foundation at the last board meeting on April 18. Mr. Albert has been with the foundation since 2013 and has acted as its vice-chair since 2015.
Outgoing chairperson Attorney Frank Benham spent his two-year term focusing on implementing new programs to improve the lives of Shelby residents and leaves the position with an outstanding list of accomplishments to his name.
As board chair, Attorney Benham was the visionary behind establishing Family Fun Night by partnering with Seltzer Pool. The collaboration between the foundation and the pool meant area kids and their families had the opportunity to enjoy free admission, snow cones, games, and swimming. Since the initial event was so popular, Benham, along with the rest of the board, voted to increase events from one evening to three. Over a thousand area kids and their families benefited from the event last summer.
Benham also helped local students embrace a love of reading by encouraging the foundation’s collaboration with Marvin Memorial Library. Third graders from elementary schools in the Shelby district had an opportunity to take a tour of the library, enjoy story time with a snack, and leave with a book purchased for them by the foundation. Benham said, “I enjoy having a good book. Our kids deserve to have this simple luxury of having a book of their very own.”
Attorney Benham, a Shelby resident since 1979, has been with The Shelby Foundation since 2009. He has practiced law for the past 35 years and is a partner in the local firm of Benham & Ream, Co. LPA. He and his wife, Debbie, have raised two daughters in the Shelby community and have been very involved for many years.
Thank you, Attorney Benham, for your outstanding leadership and continued support of The Shelby Foundation.