Programs

TWIG. . Together We Inspire Giving or TWIG is a volunteer program that was designed in the 1950’s to support the work of Marion General Hospital. At that time there were just a couple of groups who provided volunteer help as well as conducted fundraising events to support the hospital’s mission “To Improve the Health […]

THE MARION POPCORN FESTIVAL. . The Marion Popcorn Festival is celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. The Popcorn Festival started in 1981 with a mission to bring nationally known entertainment to perform for the residents of Marion free of charge. The popcorn theme was chosen because Wyandot Inc., one of the largest exporters of popcorn […]

3RD THURSDAYS. . Summer time is always a great season for evenings spent soaking up the sun with friends. Brian Jester, owner of JCR Studio, had an idea to do just that in the heart of the city, in downtown Marion.  Jester shared his idea of a night filled with music and community with Robert […]

THE FORGE. . Each year the Marion Area Chamber hosts a Leadership Class. This class meets once a month from September-May for training on the ‘5 Actions of Leadership’ based on the International best-selling book, The Serving Leader. Together, each Leadership Class chooses a project to complete as a team. With great passion, the 2017 […]

In 1983, Bob and Paul Ludwig, John Courtright Sr., and Bruce Jenkins established the Marion County Youth Foundation, Inc. to financially assist Marion County youth as they pursued their goals in academic, vocational, and extracurricular activities. Subsequently, they formed a committee to plan the first Charity Celebrity Golf and Dinner Outing as the funding source […]

MARION CAN DO! . Marion CAN DO! was formed by a group of local citizens in 1993 who believed it was time for The community to focus its resources on growing and expanding the area economically. That desire became the “Greater Marion Community Area New Development Organization” or Marion CAN DO! . Our focus is […]