Wooster Brush marks 175 years with community banners

Main Street Wooster is helping celebrate The Wooster Brush Company’s 175th anniversary through the Downtown Wooster Banner Program while highlighting the work of local nonprofit organizations.

As part of the celebration, The Wooster Brush Company invested in banners recognizing eight nonprofits. These will be displayed throughout Historic Downtown Wooster from mid-March through mid-May. Each organization will be featured on five banners placed on downtown light poles, showcasing the work they do to strengthen the Wooster community.

The participating nonprofits include Boys and Girls Club of Wooster, IncludeAbility, Outreach Community Living Services, United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, OHuddle, The Village Network, Adaptive Sports Ohio, and Salvation Army Wooster Corps.

Founded in 1851, The Wooster Brush Company has remained committed to supporting the community it calls home. This banner initiative recognizes both the company’s milestone anniversary and some of the nonprofit organizations making a difference in the lives of local residents every day.

“Wooster Brush has been an important part of our community for 175 years,” said Shannon Waller, executive director of Main Street Wooster. “Through this project we are not only celebrating an incredible local business legacy, but also spotlighting nonprofit organizations that help make Wooster such a strong and compassionate community.”

The banners will be displayed throughout downtown, providing visibility for the nonprofits and encouraging residents and visitors alike to learn more about the services they provide.

“We are honored to celebrate our 175th anniversary in a way that shines a spotlight on organizations that serve our community every day,” said Ben Maibach, president of The Wooster Brush Company. “These nonprofits are essential to the well-being of Wooster and Wayne County, and we are proud to help highlight their impact.”

“The Wooster Brush Company helped lay the foundation for United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties nearly 70 years ago," said Katie Koglman, CEO of the United Way Wayne and Holmes. "At the heart of that early partnership was President of Wooster Brush Stanley Welty Sr.’s belief that a community grows stronger when people care for one another. That spirit of generosity has continued through the decades. We are truly grateful for our long, meaningful relationship with The Wooster Brush Company and are proud to celebrate their 175 years of making our community a better, kinder and stronger place.”

The Downtown Wooster Banner Program continues to be a highly visible way to celebrate the people, organizations and milestones that shape the community. It is administered in partnership with the City of Wooster.

"The Wooster Brush Company has long been a valued partner in our community and a cornerstone of our local business environment,” said Joel Montgomery, Wooster’s director of administration. “The city is excited to celebrate Wooster Brush's 175th anniversary and support their ongoing philanthropic efforts that benefit the entire community. They truly embody the ‘Wooster Way’ of hospitality, collaboration and community pride."

To learn more about the Downtown Banner Program, visit www.MainStreetWooster.org/banners.