Marion County shows generosity through peanut push support for Christmas Clearinghouse

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·3 min read
Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer, left, and Marion business owner Dustin Rawlins participated in the 2022 WMRN Peanut Push on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in downtown Marion. The event is a fundraiser for the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse that provides Christmas gifts for underprivileged children and families in Marion County.
Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer, left, and Marion business owner Dustin Rawlins participated in the 2022 WMRN Peanut Push on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in downtown Marion. The event is a fundraiser for the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse that provides Christmas gifts for underprivileged children and families in Marion County.

Marion County once again showed up to support an annual fundraising campaign that helps provide Christmas gifts for local children and families.

A large crowd turned out on Saturday morning for the annual WMRN Peanut Push, staged this year on South Main Street outside Founders Park in downtown Marion. In addition to the actual peanut pushers and their backers, organizations and businesses that raised funds for the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse campaign were on hand to celebrate the massive amount of financial support the effort received this year.

Christmas Clearinghouse coordinator Jodi Rife said the Junior Service Guild has registered 458 families and 1,310 children for this year's campaign of giving.

"We couldn't begin to take on this many children and families without the support of our great community of Marion, so kudos to every person that helps us with this great event," Rife told the crowd that gathered on Saturday morning in downtown Marion. "Junior Service Guild wants to give back to our community. Whether it's Christmas time, school clothing, community needs, we want to give back. Again, I can say this year after year, without the community we would never be able to do the programs that we do. So thank you all again."

The Marion Area Harley Riders Association (MAHRA) donated a whopping $37,871.38 to help the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse project this year. In 2021, the Harley Riders raised $35,515.50.

The Marion Area Harley Riders Association raised $37,871. 38 for the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse project. The group presented its check to Jodi Rife of the Junior Service Guild on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, during the annual WMRN Peanut Push.
The Marion Area Harley Riders Association raised $37,871. 38 for the Junior Service Guild's Christmas Clearinghouse project. The group presented its check to Jodi Rife of the Junior Service Guild on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, during the annual WMRN Peanut Push.

"We start at the first of the year," MAHRA President Matt Gardner said about the group's annual fundraising campaign for Christmas Clearinghouse. "We send out corporate letters. We do the poker run. Most everything comes out of Marion County which goes back to Marion County. The guys and gals right here do a lot of work and put in a lot of time panhandling - thanks for not running us over. It's a blast for us, too, because we're always excited to see what we get each year."

The OK Cafe raised $6,015 in 2022, topping its 2021 amount of $4,380. Route 30 Harley-Davidson of Upper Sandusky, which sponsors bike nights at the OK Cafe, donated $900 to support the Christmas Clearinghouse.

Peanut Push royalty collected $6,585.43 to benefit the Christmas Clearinghouse this year. Queen Elizabeth Millisor raised $3,234 for the campaign this year.

"I didn't do it alone. I work for Generations Realty and all the agents donated. Very generous," Millisor said. "I'm just honored to be able to help the Marion County families."

Reigning Peanut Push King Daniel Bradshaw, formerly of Pillar Credit Union who now works for On the Mark Strategies, returned to win the crown once again, raising $1,218.

"It's just about reminding people that every kid deserves Christmas, and that's what this is all about," Bradshaw said. "I never had a Christmas where I went without and having two kids of my own, the thought of (a child going without Christmas gifts) really hits home for me. I don't want any kid in our community to experience that. Thanks to the work of the Junior Service Guild and the Christmas Clearinghouse and all the people that gave, hopefully that's not going to happen."

Chris DePuy, owner of Maxx Air by Infinite Inflatables, was the champion of the 2022 WMRN Peanut Push, topping Daniel Bradshaw and Josh Conway in the final push of the day on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in downtown Marion.
Chris DePuy, owner of Maxx Air by Infinite Inflatables, was the champion of the 2022 WMRN Peanut Push, topping Daniel Bradshaw and Josh Conway in the final push of the day on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in downtown Marion.

Prince and Princess Graham and Lila White, twin siblings, raised $1,380. Siblings K.J. and Kurerra Vernon raised $753.40.

Chris Depuy, owner of Maxx Air by Infinite Inflatables, was the champion peanut pusher this year. Daniel Bradshaw finished second and Josh Conway of Generations Realty placed third.

Rife said the Christmas Clearinghouse is in need of non-perishable food items, blankets, hats, gloves, toys, books, and monetary donations to support the effort this year. The clearinghouse will open its doors to receive donations beginning Monday, Dec. 5 at 1680 Marion Waldo Road on the campus of Marion County Children Services. The facility will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from Dec. 5-16. Distribution day is Dec. 17.

For information about the 2022 Christmas Clearinghouse, call 740-341-5871 or email jsgchristmasclearinghouse@gmail.com.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Co. shows generosity in its support for Christmas Clearinghouse