The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
SOUTH SIDE PARTY
Community members honored at annual South Park Recreation Center block party
Five community members and organizations were honored for contributions and support for Elyria’s south side during a second annual community block party at the South Park Thomas O. Shores South Recreation Center, 101 S. Park Dr. in Elyria.
The event from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15 lined the recreation center’s parking lot with booths advertising local organizations and resources for residents, including Head Start, 1215 Middle Ave., Boys and Girls Clubs of Lorain County, 1821 Middle Ave., and Lorain County Urban League, 200 Middle Ave..
Locals also sported booths selling homemade goodies like popcorn and blankets. The face painting booth proved popular with the children.
“Too often, we don’t get to celebrate everyday people just doing the work.”
— Marcus Madison, member of Elyria City Council
For Elyria’s fifth ward councilman Marcus Madison, the block party is starting to become an essential event for the area to recognize its most dedicated members.
“Too often, we don’t get to celebrate everyday people just doing the work,” he said. “We’re really focused on moving forward and really highlighting just community members and organizations that we really don’t celebrate as much as we should.”
The first organization recognized during the ceremony was the Elyria Mini Pioneers, represented by John and Kelly Dixon.
“What we try to do beyond football is give the kids an opportunity to get them off the streets and do something positive,” said John, who added the program enrolled 120 youth athletes.
Ross Johnson was recognized as a community leader who volunteers for the Mini Pioneers, as well as regularly attends school board meetings in order to do his part to improve Elyria schools, Madison said.
St. Marys Parish, 320 Middle Ave., also was recognized, represented by director of development Angie Pluta.
Madison spoke of the church’s food pantry and holiday dinners, which greatly impact the community.
“They do this from the goodness of their heart, but also for people to feel that they’re connected to something much bigger than themselves,” Madison said.
Second Baptist Church, 427 Chapman Lane, closed the ceremony, represented by Jeffrey McCullough, a deacon chairman.
Fifth recognized community member Keandra Booker was unable to attend due to an event she was running for Suicide Prevention Month.
Madison said prospects for Elyria’s south side are looking up, with new advancements like a new Ely Stadium for Elyria High School, 1915 Middle Ave., as well as new resurfacing of East Avenue and Middle Avenue.
“When you drive through this neighborhood, it’s changing every single day,” he said. “We’re going to have to support everything that’s taking place for our young folks. Everything that’s taking place.”
Brenda Warren, coordinator of Southside Neighborhood Network, spoke of the importance of intergenerational work.
“So many times we focus on the youth, and what about the older folks?” she said. “We have to be sure that we’re looking at everything inter-generational. We have the wisdom and we want to be a part of your lives.”