The Centerville-Washington Foundaton is pleased to announce that The Founders: 28th Annual Meeting honorees this year are Dr. David and Jenni Roer, a couple who has strengthened the Centerville and Dayton communities through leadership, compassion and tireless service. Together, they have built a remarkable legacy grounded in family, education, healthcare and civic engagement. Their work has touched countless lives through schools, children’s organizations, community institutions and nonprofit leadership across the region.
“We are so pleased to recognize the Roers this year,” said Debe Dockins, president of the Centerville Washington Foundation. “Their leadership is consistently marked by doing what was best ‘for the kids,' and our community is richer for that.
Ms. Roer began her community involvement through the Junior League of Dayton, where she developed a passion for civic engagement and leadership that shaped a lifelong commitment to service. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous organizations, including the Dayton Art Institute, the YWCA, and the Dayton Children's Hospital Foundation, and has been a strong advocate for early childhood education and kindergarten readiness through her work as the Executive Director of The Tait Foundation with Learn to Earn Dayton, and Preschool Promise. She also was a founding member of the Centerville-Washington Diversity Council and served as its first Chairperson.
Dr. Roer has devoted his life to caring for children and strengthening the institutions that support them. A pediatrician who began his career at Dayton Children’s before entering private practice in Centerville, Dr. Roer built a reputation for compassionate care and dedication to young patients and their families. In 1994, he was elected to the Centerville Board of Education, where he served for more than 30 years, including ten terms as president. As a board member for A Special Wish Foundation, he has helped create meaningful experiences for children facing life-threatening illnesses.
As they approach 46 years of marriage, Dr. David and Jenni Roer have raised their family in Centerville while actively participating in community and school activities. Their daughter, Stephanie, and her husband, Sam, reside in Brooklyn, while their daughter, Melissa, lives in Columbus with her husband, Kevan, and their two young boys. As grandparents, Dave and Jenni travel to Columbus as often as they can to spend time with their grandsons.
Through their commitment to service and leadership, Dr. David and Jenni Roer have made a significant impact on the Dayton region. Their journey exemplifies the importance of dedication, compassion, and community involvement.
Tickets for the fundraising luncheon are $75. Opportunities are also available to be recognized as a sponsor and to support community grants.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. for an opportunity to visit with the honorees and prior grant recipients and learn about their projects. A special raffle prize will be awarded to one lucky guest who visits the grantees. A plated lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m., with presentations starting shortly after. The Foundation will provide an overview of its grant program and recognize recent grant recipients before introducing the Roers.
To purchase tickets to support Dr. David and Jenni Roer and The Founders: 28th Annual Meeting, please use the link below.
The Centerville-Washington Foundation, founded in 1998 as a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, has been moving the needle on philanthropy for nearly 30 years. With the tagline of “Helping people help our community,” The group’s primary mission is to support local nonprofit organizations for a wide array of charitable purposes. We accomplish this by receiving generous donations from individual contributors, corporations and sponsors who desire to make a positive impact in our community.
Centerville-Washington Foundation
P.O. Box 41125
Centerville, OH 45441
