Family briefs: Christmas Basket program taking donations

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        One of the longest running human service events in the city of Oregon will once again take place this holiday season.
        The Oregon Health and Welfare Christmas Basket program is now accepting financial donations as well as canned goods, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products and new toys.
        Yvonne Patton, Oregon Health and Welfare chairperson, said, “When the Board of Directors met in September, there was no question if the annual Holiday Basket program was going to happen, but how we would make it happen.”
        Residents who live within the Oregon School district are eligible to apply. This year, the application process will be a little different. Registration will be conducted drive-through style at the city of Oregon Municipal Complex. Signage will direct applicants to the east end of the city building. Volunteers will provide applications. Applicants will need to provide a photo ID and proof of income and residency. Drive-through application dates will begin Monday Nov. 9 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and will continue Mondays Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30.
        There will also be a contactless option to apply. Applications will be posted near the city drop box outside of the municipal water/tax department door through the month of November. Applications, copies of ID and proof of income may be dropped off in the city drop box in the provided envelope no later than Nov. 30.
        Community residents who live at delivery locations will continue to fill out applications onsite and delivery will be provided.
        The 2020 distribution date is Dec. 16. Applicants who apply at the municipal complex will be assigned pick-up times and the holiday baskets will be delivered right to their cars. “We will do our best to serve the community in the safest way possible,” Patton said. “Businesses, individuals, service groups, the city of Oregon, Oregon Schools and community volunteers are the heart of the organization.”
        Donations may be mailed to Oregon Health and Welfare, PO Box 167853, Oregon, OH or dropped off at the City of Oregon, 5330 Seaman Rd. Call 419-836-0559 for more info.
        The 2019 Holiday Basket distribution included delivery to recipients at Charles Crest, Fountain Square, Luther Hills and Luther Ridge, as well as the distribution at the municipal complex.
        Thanks to the generous support of volunteers, individuals, and businesses, the program was able to provide food, personal hygiene items, cleaning products and holiday cheer to 266 households serving a total of 453 individuals this past holiday season.
 
Salvation Army Christmas assistance
        The Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio is accepting applications for Christmas assistance, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season.
        All applications will be taken virtually. Those wishing to apply may visit salvationarmyassistance.org. Applicants must have a valid email address, and only one application per household will be accepted.
        The online application will be available to Lucas County residents through Friday, Nov. 6. Applicants apply for food assistance in the form of a Kroger gift card and for the opportunity to shop for custodial children living in their home under the age of 13. Toys will be provided for children ages infant through 12 years.
 
 
“I Do” Bridal Show
        The “Sounds of Music ‘I Do’ Bridal Show” will be held Sunday, Oct. 18 from noon-5 p.m. at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo.
        The event, which will be held in a socially-distant manner, will offer brides-to-be an opportunity to meet vendors and plan their big days.
        Pre-register and schedule a time to come to the show at https://www.soundsofmusicdjs.com/events/2020/10/18/bridal-show/i-do-brid.... Organizers are limiting the number of attendees to 100 per hour.
 
Author to discuss beliefs in paranormal
        A professor who has examined popular beliefs about ghosts, monsters and UFOs in America will discuss his findings and his book during an online talk sponsored by Hayes Presidential Library & Museums on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
        Christopher Bader, Ph.D., author of “Paranormal America: Ghost Encounters, UFO Sightings, Bigfoot Hunts, and Other Curiosities in Religion and Culture,” will give the talk at 1 p.m. through GoToMeeting, an online meeting platform. Admission is free.
        Participants can log on with this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/562776509, or dial in at +1 (646) 749-3122, access code: 562-776-509 Those new to GoToMeeting can download the app at https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/562776509.
        This program is being offered in conjunction with Hayes Presidential’s special exhibit, “Ohio: An Unnatural History,” which profiles notable folktales and urban legends from across the Buckeye State, but it also dives into the nature of paranormal belief in modern society.
        Bader is a professor of sociology at Chapman University in Orange, California. His   research is a natural fit with the topics examined in the exhibit. Through the use of national sociological surveys and interviews paranormal enthusiasts, he and his research team made a number of discoveries on who believes in what when it comes to the supernatural.
        For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.
 
No tricks, only treats
        The Toledo Humane Society is offering a “No Tricks, Only Treats,” adoption promo. Through Oct. 31, select adult pup adoption fees will be $31.
        View the spooky lineup of dogs online at toledohumane.org/adopt.
 
Spooktacular 2020
        Walbridge Fest, Inc., has announced plans for Spooktacular 2020.
        Due to ongoing concerns with coronavirus, this year’s Spooktacular festival was canceled, however, Walbridge Fest has come up with some virtual activities to be spooky all month long.
        First, there are contests.
        •  House Decorating - Decorate your Walbridge house or business and submit up to five photos for judging. Go with a creepy, spooky, ghostly or festive theme, whatever tickles your pumpkin. There is only one category. Forms available at https://forms.gle/FKgsopzF2LyGZm446.
        •  Pumpkin Carving - Gather the family to create one masterpiece. Pumpkins can be carved or painted, in any theme. Do a single pumpkin or a group theme (like Gru and his minions). Limit to one entry per household. Forms available at https://forms.gle/ATeMYxnpT8FDukja8.
        • Costume Contest – Kids are invited to don the very best they have and pose for a super spooky Halloween costume contest. Categories include 0-3 years, 4-8 years, and 9-12 years. Three winners per age group. Forms available at https://forms.gle/RhAziKZRs74SCN8p9.
        • Pet Costume Contest - Dress your pet in the best costume they've got and upload for a super cute, super scary pet costume contest. Category winners for dog, cat, and “other.” Think outside the box and decorate your fish tank, dress your horse, or whatever you've got. Pet parents must live in Walbridge, but the animal can be living outside the village.
        Participation in contests is open only to Walbridge residents. All submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. The top winner in each event/category will receive a gift card prize. The top three winners will receive a special trophy. All contests are open to Walbridge residents only.
        For complete rules and details, visit www.facebook.com/walbridgefest.
        Throughout the month, Walbridge Fest will also be sharing fun Halloween games, coloring pages, and recipes on Facebook.
 
Drive-thru trunk or treat
        The Wood County Sheriff’s Office will present a Drive-thru Trunk or Treat event Monday, Oct. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m., rain or shine, at 1960 E. Gypsy Lane Rd., Bowling Green.
        Wear costumes and drive thru to see all the decorated trunks. Local law enforcement agencies will join in the free event.
 
Downtown trick-or-treat
        Young ghosts and goblins are invited don their costumes and trick-or-treat from store to store in downtown Oak Harbor on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses.
        Residential trick-or-treat in the village will be held later that evening from 6-7:30 p.m.
 
Levy campaign kick-off
        On Oct. 6, the Committee for Children and Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) kicked off the campaign for Issue 18, a measure that will renew an existing 1.8 mill operating levy for five years. It is not a new tax.
        The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $55.13 annually, or $1.06 per week. It generates $13.4 million annually, or approximately one quarter of LCCS’s operating revenue. Together with a 10-year levy passed in 2018, levy dollars represent 54 percent of the agency’s budget. They are used to pay for casework services, foster care per-diems, contracted services for clients, other client supports, building occupancy, and other routine expenses.
        In 2019, LCCS:
        • Received 12,249 reports of child abuse or neglect.
        • Screened in 5,132 reports for assessment or investigation.
        • Provided services to 13,654 children.
        • Reunified 147 children with family.
        • Saw 84 children adopted.
 

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