Recognitions

2025

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

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKEF) -- On July 26, 2006, 6-year-old Yukta Garg was tragically killed in a car accident at the entrance of the Washington Township RecPlex.

In the 19 years since her death, her parents have been keeping her memory alive by establishing a non-profit organization that supports activities and causes within Washington Township that benefit and support local children.

Yukta Garg was a 6-year-old little girl who loved to sing, dance, and chat with all of her friends.

“She was a deeply, deeply loving younger sister to our older daughter, as you can see, daddy's darling daughter, a fiercely loyal friend, and she was very confident in her day-to-day dealings,” said Arti Garg, Yukta's mother.

However, tragedy struck on July 26, 2006, when the car she was riding in was t-boned outside of the Washington RecPlex as she was heading to a summer camp.

Yukta lost her life that day, and her parents have been working to make that area safer while keeping her memory alive.

“So our immediate reaction to that was that it shouldn't have happened and it should not happen to anyone else so we set up the foundation and then put an online petition for the Department of Transportation, and within four days got 2,000+ signatures supporting our ask, request,” said Hemant Garg, Yukta's father.

ODOT did a traffic study in that area and determined that they needed to make that stretch of 725 safer.

“What that does is that no one can now take a left turn, it only allows the right turn, which streamlines the traffic, but in any case we took care of that, and it was mainly for the safety of other people, and it's mostly kids who come to the rec center,” said Hemant Garg.

In addition, the Garg family started the Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation that has raised over $90,000 over the years and has made incredible impacts in the Washington Township community, including building a Butterfly Playground at the RecPlex for other children.

“This playground is much more than a butterfly playground for us it is the way of keeping her memory alive, and when we see kids laughing, playing, and having a good time, both of us feel that Yukta is still there giggling, laughing, and, who knows, even chasing butterflies,” said Arti Garg.

The Gargs have worked so hard to make Washington Township safer and even more family-friendly than it was before, and it's all in honor of Yukta.

“This July it will be 19 years, but it is still very fresh. You know people say time is a healer, I would say for us it was like yesterday. I don't think time heals it. I think what helped us the most was channeling our energy,” said Hemant Garg.

“This is a place where kids come together, families come together, and they form bonds that stay forever, and that is the most important thing, that they are making beautiful memories,” said Arti Garg.

2022

On October 22, 2022, the Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation had the honor of receiving another proclamation from the Washington Township for the donation by the Foundation that helped install the new interactive and kid-friendly water feature at the RecPlex pool. Trustee Vice President Dale Berry dedicated the aquatic feature. Additionally, families with the Special Wish Foundation were invited for a special swim after the dedication to try out the new water feature.

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and generous donations at our fund-raising events that helped support youth enrichment and recreation programming in the Washington Township community. Over the years, the Foundation has partnered with the recreation department on multiple projects including butterfly playgrounds in the Countryside Park and the indoor playground at the RecPlex West.

Proclamation from the Washington Township

2020

Last few months have been very eventful for the foundation:

It started with the Community Impact award from Montgomery County Township Association (MCTA) in the month of December
Several news broadcasts on Fox and abc news channels in the month of February
The Ohio Outstanding Citizen Leadership Award by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) in the month of February
The Proclamation from the Washington Township Trustees in the month of March
The cover story in the Centerville Washington Neighbors magazine in its June issue
Earlier this week we received the Proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives.

We feel very honored and excited for these recognitions. It means a lot to us. All these recognitions are not only for us but also for the entire Greater Dayton community including Washington Township staff and trustees. It would not have been possible without their continued love and support. Our sincere thanks to everyone.

Our heartfelt gratitude to:

Montgomery County Township Association (MCTA)
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA)
Dayton 24/7 Now, Fox, and abc news channels
Washington Township Trustees and the staff
Jeff Louderback and Centerville Washington Neighbors magazine
State Representative Niraj Antani and the Ohio House of Representatives
Greater Dayton Community for their love, support, and generosity
Music talents in our community for their continued performances in Bollywood Gala fundraiser events
All volunteers for their continued help with our events