Linden invites community, families to 'Carols on Cleveland' holiday celebration
Dana Brock wants all of Columbus to know that Linden is a neighborhood of love and pride.
"Linden is a village of people who care about their community," said Brock, the outreach ministry coordinator for the Fresh Start Worship Center. "Whatever's been lost in translation over the years — we're coming back strong."
That commitment to joy, generosity and gratitude will be on full display during "Carols on Cleveland," the second annual celebration of Linden families around the holidays from 1-4 p.m. on Dec. 17.
Residents will be able to sit down and enjoy a hot meal from Cleveland Avenue's own Big Mal's Linden Cafe, said Brock, who is on the committee organizing the event. Most importantly, up to 500 families who register in advance can receive presents, coats, hats and a historic Linden ornament created by the Ohio History Connection, which also will provide a photo booth for the event.
Other partners, including the city's Department of Neighborhoods, neighborhood area commissions and the nonprofit We Are Linden, are organizing the winter coats, hats and toy drives.
Additionally, the Eta Nu Nu chapter of Columbus' Omega Psi Phi fraternity will be providing gift cards to teenagers ages 14-18 to ensure they aren't left out this holiday season.
From striving to thriving: Challenges do not overshadow joy
Michelle Jamison, a South Linden area commissioner, is on the organizing committee for Carols on Cleveland and said she recognizes the hardships the community has faced over the past few years.
Not only have homicide statistics spiked since the pandemic started, but this year thousands of cars have been stolen in Columbus by teenagers who are often targeting late-model Kias and Hyundais, which are easier to break into.
"It’s been a very rough year and looking forward to this event," she said.
That said, Jamison believes that Linden is getting better, stronger and receiving the kind of help the community deserves as residents collaborate with one another.
Complementing other efforts to raise awareness about gun violence, host block parties and celebrate the community's schoolchildren, Carols on Cleveland is just one more way to show how "Linden has gone from striving to thriving," she said.
How to support Linden's Carols on Cleveland
This year's holiday event will take place at the Four Corners hub of office buildings and retail space at Cleveland and East 11th avenues.
DeLena Scales, the neighborhood program specialist for the city's Department of Neighborhoods, said it is an appropriate location given the inspiration for the site comes from longtime community activist Clarence D. Lumpkin.
"In 2001, Mr. Lumpkin created this vision for Linden," she said. "He understands that where you live, work, worship and learn impacts your overall health outcomes."
Families interested in receiving gifts, winter clothes, a holiday meal box and/or a free annual CoGo bike share membership can register online at bit.ly/3H5QJTa. Volunteers can sign up at bit.ly/3W4g04H.
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Céilí Doyle is a Report for America corps member and covers rural issues in Ohio for The Dispatch. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus families to celebrate holidays in Linden at Dec. 17 event
