Paulding, OH — The finish line is approaching, and the 2025–2026 Leadership in Action (LIA) class is calling on the community to help bring their project across it.

Leadership in Action (LIA) is the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce’s leadership development program designed to deepen participants’ understanding of themselves, each other, and Paulding County… while taking meaningful action in our community.

This year’s cohort includes 14 individuals committed not just to learning about local challenges, but to responding to them.

After meeting with several county organizations, the class partnered with the United Way of Paulding County and selected the Paulding County Senior Center as their service focus.

Supporting Transportation for Local Seniors

The Paulding County Senior Center serves approximately 4,700 residents age 60 and older—nearly one-quarter of the county’s population.

In a rural community like ours, reliable transportation is essential. Many seniors must travel to Fort Wayne or Toledo for specialized medical care. The Senior Center’s wheelchair-accessible van helps make those trips possible, along with transportation to meals, appointments, and daily activities.

To help meet increased demand, the LIA class is working with United Way to raise $26,500 toward the purchase of an additional wheelchair-accessible van.

Ways to Get Involved

As the project enters its final stretch, the community has several opportunities to support the effort:

Pistols & Purses Raffle
Tickets are $20 each for a chance to win 1 of 4 great prizes.
Available at:
• Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce
• Paulding County Economic Development (PCED)
• McDougall Firearms
• Paulding Ace Hardware
• Paulding County Senior Center

The raffle drawing will take place on May 13, 2026.

Community Lunch (Drive-Thru)
May 2, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Paulding County Senior Center
Free will donation
Meal includes pulled pork, mac & cheese, coleslaw, cookie, and bottled water

Dine & Donate Night
April 29, 2026 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill, Van Wert
Mention the fundraiser and 15% of your bill will be donated

Direct Donations & Sponsorships
Individuals and businesses can contribute at multiple levels, with recognition opportunities available through the United Way of Paulding County.

Community leadership programs like LIA have been shown to strengthen civic engagement, collaboration, and long-term community impact —and this project is a direct reflection of that mission.

The group encourages residents to get involved in any way they can—by purchasing a raffle ticket, attending an event, or making a donation.

For more information, contact the Paulding Area Chamber of Commerce at 419-399-5215 or pauldingchamber@gmail.com