Community West Foundation 2019 Art of Caring Award Recipients Bill and Jill Oatey

Bill and Jill Oatey received the Art of Caring Award, a commissioned glass work entitled, “Water in Three Phases,” created by locally renowned glass artist, Michael Mikula.

Community West Foundation honors excellence in giving with its highest award once each year.

The 2019 Art of Caring Award was extended to Bill and Jill Oatey of Bay Village at the 19th annual Legacy Society Dinner in their honor at Westwood Country Club the evening of Oct. 3.

The award celebrates the exceptional generosity, commitment and outstanding community support embraced by each year’s winner.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome this year’s guests of honor, Bill and Jill Oatey, known for their deep devotion to many causes and their desire to make the world a better place,” said David T. Dombrowiak, President and CEO Community West Foundation.

Well-known in the community for their generosity in both philanthropy and spirit, Bill Oatey has enjoyed a successful 40-year career at the Oatey Company, founded by his grandfather in 1916. Active in community service, Jill works at Arborgate Associates, a Christian Counseling firm, and the couple in actively involved with Bay Presbyteran Church.

Both Bill and Jill have been very involved with the mission of Community West Foundation, living out the words of Luke 12:48, ‘To whom much is given, much is required’.

Bill’s commitment to the Foundation is illustrated by his fifteen years of service – including four as Chair of the Board. Jill has been a dedicated presence on the Partners Board at the Foundation where she attends site visits and poverty simulations to learn more about the needs of our community.

MaryAnn Dombrowiak and her husband David T. Dombrowiak, President and CEO, Communi-ty West Foundation with the 2019 Art of Caring Award recipients Bill and Jill Oatey and artist Michal Mikula.

They have created the Mr. and Mrs. William R. Oatey Fund at Community West Foundation, which supports a large number of causes and philanthropic initiatives. “They are among the most active benefactors at Community West Foundation and the scope of their philanthropy is remarkable, gifting to many causes and organizations through their Donor Advised Fund,” said Dombrowiak.

A priority concern of the Oatey is the scarcity of water for the poor world-wide. Learning about Living Waters for the World, Bill helped form the Bay Presbyterian Guatemala mission team and joined in field work to install basic sanitation and clean water systems. He is a member of the Clean Waters Board, and supports Water Mission of South Carolina and the nonprofit Drink Local. Drink Tap initiative to connect people with local supplies from the Great Lakes to Uganda. Jill’s mission trip took her to Jamaica to rebuild a school and church driveway there.

“The Community West Foundation is blessed by the generosity of so many good men and women who have used their special style individually and collectively to give something back to their community through a Planned Gift or Fund, which will have a profound impact on future generations,” said Dombrowiak.

Bill and Jill are also very generous with their time which they share so selflessly. They truly care about people. Bill and Jill are living out their faith in a very tangible way, teaching all of us what it means to truly love our neighbors.