News briefs: Christmas bike giveaway for local children
BUCKEYE LAKE - This Christmas over 100 children in need from Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties will receive new bikes and locks. The gifts are part of the Christmas Bike Giveaway, a program created by Bike Buckeye Lake and funded through generous donations from community members. Almost 800 children have received bikes through the Christmas Bike Giveaway program since the start of the program in 2015.
Bike Buckeye Lake works with local schools and Job and Family Services organizations in the three counties to identify economically disadvantaged children who would benefit from receiving a new bike.
Bike Buckeye Lake is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2015 to promote healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. Their goal is to make walking, running and cycling safe, convenient, and accessible for residents and visitors to Buckeye Lake.
For more information about Bike Buckeye Lake and the Christmas Bike Giveaway, visit https://bikebuckeyelake.org or email to info@bikebuckeylake.org
Fairfield County Auditor Publishes Timeline for Historic Beery House at 108 North High
LANCASTER – The Fairfield County Auditor’s Office announced the launch of an online timeline of the Historic Beery House at 108 North High Street, the location of the Real Estate Assessment Offices.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the historical significance of the building. Built on land originally owned by Thomas E. Ewing, Sr., the building served as a home to Elizabeth Maccracken, a founding member of the local Red Cross chapter. It was also home to Dr. George Beery, a leader in building the Lancaster Municipal Hospital. The building was later home to the Red Cross, Health Department, and Sheriff’s Detective Bureau.
Carri Brown, Fairfield County Auditor, stated, “We are excited to archive this interesting history of the building, and we treasure the building for the many important services that have been provided and will be provided to the public at this location.”
The timeline is also displayed in the hall of the Real Estate Offices. It was compiled by Remo RemoDesign and designed by Webchick.
The timeline can be viewed at https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/auditor/timelime.html/
For more information, please contact Rachel Elsea, Communications Officer, atrachel.elsea@fairfieldcountyohio.gov.
Walnut Township Local Schools kicks off annual White Christmas Project
MILLERSPORT- The Walnut Township Local School District (WTLSD) kicked off of its annual White Christmas project. For more than 50 years, WTLSD students have joined forces with the community to bring Christmas blessings to local families in need. The White Christmas project provides gifts and a Christmas meal to families who need support throughout the community. Thanks to the generous donations from the community, WTLSD was able to help 25 families last year!
“The students and staff are extremely excited to continue the tradition of our White Christmas Project,” said Kim Radulovich, WTLSD interim superintendent. “This is a project that truly unites our school and community. Our staff and students put so much heart and hard work into this project and we look forward to spreading more joy this year!”
Donations are being accepted until Dec. 13. Businesses and community members can contribute non-perishable food items, toys, or monetary donations by delivering items or a check to the district office at 11850 Lancaster Street, Millersport, OH, 43046. Please make any checks payable to Walnut Township Local Schools and write “White Christmas” on the memo line.
Millersport Student Council will lead gift-wrapping efforts on December 14, and members of the Millersport Lions Club will drive students to deliver the donations on December 15.
For more information, please contact Millersport Jr./Sr. High School Principal Megan Terry at mterry@walnuttsd.org or 740-467-2929.
Home Instead’s Be a Santa to a Senior program kicks off
LANCASTER – As the community prepares to celebrate the season of giving, Home Instead encourages Columbus area residents to share the holiday spirit with older adults who may not have family and feel alone. Through Be a Santa to a Senior, community members can give a special holiday gift to an older adult who may otherwise go without.
“A simple gift can bring such joy to older adults who may not have loved ones to celebrate with,” said Erica Blosser, owner of the Lancaster Home Instead office. “Through Be a Santa to a Senior, we can help them feel the holiday spirit.”
This year program coordinators hope to collect gifts for 500 local older adults. This is the program’s 11th year in the area.
To participate, shoppers can look for Be a Santa to a Senior trees or displays at locations around the area. Ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult will be on display, and shoppers can buy the requested gift and return it to the location with the ornament attached. Ornaments will be available until December 14. The gifts will be delivered to local older adults in time for the holidays.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following CVS locations:
• 111 South Memorial Drive in Lancaster• 1100 Hill Road in Pickerington• 251 East Broadway Street in New Lexington• 1390 West Hunter Street in Logan
“This program is so much more than gift-giving – it's about the special moments and joy shared between the older adults and the community around them,” said Blosser. "There is nothing better than seeing the smile on an older adult’s face when they open their gift.”
Be a Santa to a Senior is a true community program. The Home Instead office serving the Columbus area has partnered with local businesses, non-profit organizations, volunteers, and members of the community to help with gift collection and distribution.
Since the program’s inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior has mobilized more than 65,000 volunteers, provided approximately 2.2 million gifts, and brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving older adults nationwide. For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 740.224.3862.
To learn more about helping older adults in the Columbus area, visit imreadytocare.com.
Meetings
The Village of Carroll finance committee members will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, to discuss pro tem fiscal officer's rate of pay, purchase of a large tractor/small loader, and any other business brought before the committee. The meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 68 Center St.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: News briefs: Christmas bike giveaway for local children
