The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
CARE WRAPS AROUND
Warm Up For Winter event provides many forms of assistance for the community
Free coats, hats, pumpkins, face painting and more were given out Oct. 13 during a 2018 Warm Up For Winter event.
The Lorain County Bridges, a group of for profit and nonprofit organizations that seeks to help those less fortunate in the community, held the event at Ohio Business College, 5095 Waterford Drive in Sheffield Village.
“We have over 34 vendors here passing out information, answering questions and giving items away,” said Christine Todd, event organizer and financial aid advisor for OBC. “This is our fourth year, and we have had more people show up each year. We had people waiting in line by 9 a.m. for the event that started at 10 a.m., and had last year’s total exceeded by 11 a.m.
“There is a need to make sure families are properly clothed for the upcoming winter...”
— Christine Todd, event organizer and financial aid advisor for OBC
“We have had around 700 so far and that is still growing, so word has started to spread about the event.”
Todd said the main focus is to provide those who are less fortunate with what they need for cold weather.
“Blankets, hats, coats and scarfs are being given away,” she said. “There is a need to make sure families are properly clothed for the upcoming winter, and that was the original reason the event was started.”
Todd said the event continued to add services each year.
“We had over 100 pumpkins, that are probably already gone, to give away along with child IDs being provided by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, insurance information, mental health screenings, flu shots by Walgreens and more,” she said. “We wanted to add services we thought were needed, and a lot of organizations really showed their generosity this year. Walmart gave us a $500 gift card which allowed us to buy some new coats. We also had Altitude Trampoline Park(110 Market Dr. in Elyria) provide four family four packs including free jumping, drinks and pizza. It was super nice of the owner to do that. The generosity was amazing this year from all the organizations.”
Todd said the event provides more than what initially meets the eye.
“People come for the pumpkins and clothes, but they may find out different insurance or legal aid information that can help them long term,” she said. “The event is all about getting all of the vendors and organizations in one place so people have all the information accessible to them.”
Amy Steele, client educator for the Lorain County Community Action Agency, said accessibility was a big emphasis for the event.
“We wanted more services and information available,” she said. “Horizon Day Care Center stepped up for us again this year by shuttling people here. More people are being helped this year, and we want to continue to grow the event where we can.”
Lt. Dennison Harold, an auxiliary officer with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, was helping to provide child ID cards.
“We take their picture and then create a card with their weight, height and thumb print,” he said. “It’s something we tell parents to renew at least once a year to make sure we have a way to identify their child if they go missing. It’s a service we are more than happy to provide to the county.”
Jessica Justice, a sexual assault victim advocate for the Nord Center, was handing out information on the services the center provides.
“We have programs like Safe Touch that educate children on safety,” she said. “I also have an activity where I trace a child’s hand and they write the names of five grown ups they know they can talk to and trust. It’s all about building awareness and letting the community know we are here to help.”
Melissa Marrero, of Lorain, was at the event with her family.
“They have a lot of good resources here,” she said. “They have a lot of information and treats for all members of the family.”
Sarrah Zeiter, of Oberlin, brought her family to the event.
“I have gotten a lot of information that is very helpful,” she said. “The kids really have enjoyed it as well.”
“People come for the pumpkins and clothes, but they may find out different insurance or legal aid information that can help them long term. The event is all about getting all of the vendors and organizations in one place so people have all the information accessible to them.”
— Christine Todd, event organizer