Warm Up for Winter gives to those in need

The Ohio Business College was the site for the Lorain County Bridges’ Warm Up for Winter event. The event on Oct. 14 featured free pumpkins, refreshments, raffles, flu shots and free winter coats and hats.

“This is the sixth time we have done an event like this, and we tend to have a better turnout with each subsequent event,” Christine Todd of OBC and Lorain County Bridges said. “We have 28 different services at the event and we’re always looking to add to the event.”

The event featured over 30 services and agencies in one single location, Todd said.

“We’re also offering food assistance, gun locks, and Child ID cards as well,” she said.

Todd said, Lorain County Bridges will be doing a similar event in the spring called Safe Summer Kickoff.

“The event will help to set kids up with a summer camp and give them something to do when school is over,” she said.

The main goal for Lorain County Bridges is to provide help to those whom are in need, according to Todd.

“I realized, and I have been in education for 20 years now, it takes more than just giving someone an associate’s degree and expecting all needs to be met,” Todd

said. “Bridges is here to help provide based on those needs.”

Bridges conducts monthly meetings to see new services that are needed.

“We receive calls from service providers and we reach out as well,” she said. “We have built many good

relationships with service providers in the area and it’s really based on where we see the need.”

According to Todd, the most apparent needs are in clothing and nutrition.

“It’s very important to make sure kids are well fed and have warm clothes with winter on its way. We had a room filled with hats and gloves, and they’re almost all gone.”

“Horizon Education Centers

provided a great transportation service for the event,” Todd said.

“Some people couldn’t drive or didn’t know how to get here, so it was really great to have the service operating during the event. It no doubt helped our numbers.”

According to Todd, the best feeling is being able to help someone with a service that they wouldn’t have received otherwise.

“I’m always happy when we can provide the information on these services. People often don’t know they’re available.”

Bridges can help with phone services, drug addiction, veterans services, food, health insurance and more.

Anyone with further questions about Lorain County Bridges and the provided services can call Christine Todd at 440-9343101.