RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions

Over eighteen years, the community, Washington Township, and local press have recognized this work: proclamations from the Ohio House and the Township Trustees, awards from statewide and county associations, a magazine cover story on the family behind it, and a letter marking a cumulative $100,000 contribution. This page collects that record.

2026

Montgomery County Treasurer Recognition

Following the Foundation’s $10,000 donation to Washington Township and the achievement of a cumulative $100,000 contribution milestone, Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus sent a letter recognizing the impact of the Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation and the generosity of our community.

Letter from Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus, June 2026 — Letter from Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus recognizing the Foundation’s $100,000 cumulative contribution to Washington Township, June 2026.

2025

Hometown Heroes: The Garg Family

Nineteen years after Yukta’s death, abc22/Fox45 profiled the Garg family and the Foundation’s work for its Hometown Heroes series.

Hometown Heroes: The Garg Family — abc22/Fox45, April 28, 2025.

2022

A new water feature at the RecPlex pool

On October 22, 2022, the Foundation received another proclamation from Washington Township for its donation toward the new interactive, kid-friendly water feature at the RecPlex pool. Trustee Vice President Dale Berry dedicated the feature, and the Foundation invited community families to the Splashtastic Water Bucket Celebration, hosted with A Special Wish Foundation at the RecPlex pool, to try it out.

Proclamation from Washington Township, October 2022 — Proclamation from Washington Township for the Foundation’s donation toward the new water feature, October 22, 2022.

DECEMBER 2019 – JUNE 2020

A season of recognition

A run of honors arrived within a few months of one another: the Community Impact Award from the Montgomery County Township Association in December 2019; the Ohio Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, and coverage on abc22 and Fox45, in February 2020; a proclamation from the Washington Township Trustees in March; a cover story in the June issue of Centerville-Washington Neighbors magazine; and, that same week, a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives. None of it would have been possible without the continued support of Washington Township staff and trustees, and the greater Dayton community.

Ohio House of Representatives Proclamation

Proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives, presented by State Representative Niraj Antani.

Presentation of the Ohio House proclamation — The Garg family with State Representative Niraj Antani at the presentation of the Ohio House proclamation.

Cover story, Centerville-Washington Neighbors magazine, June 2020

Centerville-Washington Neighbors magazine featured the Garg family on the cover of its June 2020 issue: “Meet the Gargs: Transforming Grief into a Legacy of Kindness,” written by Jeff Louderback with photos by Ashley Mauro Photography.

Centerville-Washington Neighbors magazine cover, June 2020 — Cover of the June 2020 issue of Centerville-Washington Neighbors magazine.

Read the full feature, including additional photos from the shoot (PDF).

Washington Township Trustees Proclamation, March 2, 2020

Proclamation from the Washington Township Trustees, March 2020 — The Garg family was presented with a proclamation by the Washington Township Trustees on March 2, 2020.

Live television interviews — abc22 and Fox45, February 6, 2020

Live TV interview on abc22 and Fox45 — Live TV interviews on abc22 and Fox45 covering the Garg family’s recognition, February 6, 2020.

Ohio Parks and Recreation Association — Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award, February 2020

Hemant and Arti Garg were named Washington Township’s Citizens of the Year and received the Ohio Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, with coverage from WHIO-TV7 and the Centerville Dispatch.

Gargs are named Citizens of the Year — Washington Township, February 1, 2020.

Township residents Arti and Hemant Garg are Ohio Citizens of the Year — WHIO-TV7, February 3, 2020.

Montgomery County Township Association — Community Impact Award, December 12, 2019

Community Impact Award from the Montgomery County Township Association — The Community Impact Award presented to the Garg family by the Montgomery County Township Association, December 12, 2019.

Read more about the Foundation’s founding story on Why We Do This, or catch up on recent updates on News.