For more than five decades, Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS) has been a cornerstone of support for the community, providing vital programs and services that touch lives in meaningful ways. In 2024 alone, SAFS staff served over 18,000 individuals, a number that continues to rise in 2025 as the needs of local families grow.
“Our mission is simple but powerful: to strengthen individuals and families through programs, resources, and advocacy. This mission comes to life every day in countless ways,” noted SAFS Executive Director Dottie Segur.
This work is funded primarily through general donations, an annual campaign and two major fundraisers: the Return Two event in the spring and On Tap & Uncorked to be held Sept. 6 at Centennial Terrace.
SAFS Services
The SAFS Food Pantry ensures families facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals year-round. The Senior Commodities Program helps older adults stretch their grocery budgets while maintaining their health and independence. A Back-to-School Event provides children with the supplies they need to start the school year confident and prepared.
“The holidays bring added pressures, so our Holiday Assistance Program offers food, gifts, and comfort to families who might otherwise go without. Health and Wellness Classes encourage healthy lifestyles, while the Youth Diversion Program gives first-time juvenile offenders the opportunity to make better choices and get back on track,“ she explained.
Through a partnership with Sylvania Community Services, quality before- and after-school care, enriching summer camps, and preschool programs are provided— creating safe, nurturing environments where children can learn and grow.
The Community Garden, overseen by OSU Extension Master Gardener Amy Stone, supplies fresh, nutritious produce to the SAFS Food Pantry and serves as an educational tool for summer campers. Each week, children visit the garden to learn hands-on gardening skills and the importance of healthy nutrition, lessons that can last a lifetime.
“These programs not only address urgent needs but also build a stronger, more connected community. None of it would be possible without the generosity of our supporters,” Segur pointed out.
Fundraising events
The Return Two event in the spring is a special evening highlighting and honoring businesses, individuals, and organizations that have made a difference in the community with SAFS’s annual “Ray of Hope” award.
Sylvania Area Family Service’s annual On Tap & Uncorked fundraiser takes place on Sept. 6 at Centennial Terrace. Each ticket includes 10 beer and wine drink tickets, local bites, and live music by The Skittle Bots. Guests have the chance to bid on a selection of silent auction baskets.
“Best of all, every dollar raised goes right back into the programs that support thousands of individuals in Sylvania and beyond. By attending, you’re not just enjoying an evening of great food, drink, and entertainment, you’re directly helping a child succeed in school, a senior enjoy a healthy meal, or a family find hope during a difficult time,” Segur promised.
“Sylvania Area Family Services is proud to be here for our neighbors when they need it most, but it’s the community’s support that makes it all possible. We hope to see you at On Tap & Uncorked for a night of fun with a purpose!”
For tickets and event details, visit sylvaniaareafamilyservices.org/event-details/on-tap-and-uncorked.
About SAFS
Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS) was founded in 1967 by a group of concerned citizens in the Huntington Farms neighborhood of Sylvania. They recognized a growing need for youth services in the area, as a 1970 census showed 20 percent of the young people in that area were not completing high school.