Toledo City Council passed a resolution recognizing Tom Pounds, Toledo Free Press president and publisher, for helping the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) raise private funds for its trip to Carnegie Hall.

From left, Mike Craig, Tom Pounds, Kathy Carroll and Mike Bell.

On Dec. 12,  Pounds wrote a column challenging area businesses and individuals to raise funds to send TSO to New York, in lieu of using public funds as the TSO had requested. Toledo Free Press donated the first $1,000 and within a week more than $10,000 was raised for the orchestra’s trip.

Pounds presented a check to Kathy Carroll, TSO president and CEO, during the Dec. 21 council meeting.

“[The funding is] wonderful. It’s a great outcome,” Carroll said.

At the same meeting, Council recognized Pounds for his financial contribution to TSO, as well as his encouragement of others to do the same.

“I’d like to thank Tom and the Free Press for going out there and putting their money and their time where their mouth is. They didn’t just go out and write an editorial, but went out and worked hard to have the courage of his convictions,” said Mike Craig, who sponsored the resolution.

Mayor Mike Bell, who also contributed $1,000 as part of the challenge, thanked Pounds for stepping up and helping the city and TSO.

“I was honored to receive the resolution. I never expected this after we made this challenge,” Pounds said.

A total of $11,120 has been raised so far by Pounds through area businesses and individuals. Clear Channel, Fifth Third Bank, Owens Community College, Rohrbachers, Cron, Manahan, Trimble & Zimmerman Co., Romilio “Rome” Marinelli, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Toledo Edison, Dunbar Mechanical, Duke Wheeler Jr., Paul and Carol Kraus all contributed to TSO’s trip.

TSO will perform at Carnegie Hall in May.

Tags: City of Toledo, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Fifth Third Bank, Kathy Carroll, Mike Bell, Mike Craig, Toledo Free Press, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Tom Pounds

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 1:18 pm and is filed under City of Toledo, Community, Toledo Symphony.
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