COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Aging is soliciting stories from Ohioans who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s so that the sacrifices they made and the lessons they learned may be shared with other generations currently facing tough economic times.

“The Great Depression strained and challenged the world, the nation, families and individuals. It touched everyone who lived through it, rich or poor, in some significant way,” said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. “Their stories of perseverance, sacrifice and triumph over adversity are just what we need today to give us hope as well as insights into how we can best adjust to today’s economy.”

The children of the Depression are today’s elders - most of them in their 80s and 90s. The challenges they watched their parents face and the sacrifices they themselves made stayed with them throughout their lives. It influenced their attitudes toward saving and spending money; it instilled a certain work ethic and created in them a sense of family and community unique to the times.

The department is asking for Ohioans who lived during that time in the nation’s history to share their stories. Lessons and advice drawn from these accounts will be shared in department publications as well as on its Web site. Stories should be about 500 words long and include the individual’s name, location and current age. Mail them to: Ohio Department of Aging, Attn: Communications Division, 50 W. Broad St. / 9th Floor, Columbus OH, 43215-3363.

Stories may also be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Stories should be received by April 10, 2009.

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