Decorate the Holiday Giving Tree – Donations welcome for WomenSafe, Geauga County JFS’ Sponsor-a-Family
Tucked within the Meyer Center in Big Creek Park, a Holiday Giving Tree will collect items this holiday season for WomenSafe and the Geauga County Job & Family Services’ Sponsor-a-Family Program.
Donations will be accepted at the tree Monday, November 14th, through Monday, December 12th, at Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Township. Donations can also be left in a box located at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87), Russell Township.
Requested items include bath and body items such as Axe body spray, body wash or lotion, deodorant, shaving cream and teen items; craft items or kits such as adult coloring books and colored pencils; warm clothing such as mittens and gloves, scarves and hats; and toys featuring superheroes and characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Frozen.
WomenSafe is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit domestic violence shelter and resource center in its 35th year of service to survivors of domestic violence. Geauga County JFS has coordinated its Sponsor-a-Family program for more than 40 years.
Geauga Park District hopes you’ll consider making a holiday contribution these important programs this year at one of our park buildings, which are both wheelchair/stroller accessible and feature wildlife feeding stations to enjoy while you’re visiting. Please call 440-286-9516 with questions.
Holiday Cheer, Naturally – Brighten someone’s holiday; sign up to build an evergreen piece for your home
No one will say there’s nothing to do in Geauga Park District the first weekend of December – not with our annual Holiday Greens Workshop, two Timbertots-style versions, and an opportunity to build greenery pieces for local seniors!
From 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd, visit The West Woods Nature Center to “make-and-GIVE” as we create 250 evergreen decorations to accompany home-delivered meals for seniors through the Geauga County Department on Aging!
“This third annual event is great for families and friends to do together – it’s always a very nice, heart-warming afternoon,” said Holly Sauder, outreach coordinator for the Park District. “This year we’ll also have holiday cards to sign for the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky and the VA Medical Center in Cleveland, so we’re reaching out to not only Geauga County seniors, but the veteran community as well.”
All supplies will be provided, but participants are also welcome to bring additional decorative items to add to the centerpieces, all the while enjoying live holiday music by the West Geauga Class Act acapella group! Registration is not required – just drop in and get on board.
Meanwhile at Swine Creek Reservation, Geauga Park District’s popular Holiday Greens Workshop will guide adults and those ages 12 and up to arrange fresh evergreens into one of four holiday arrangements. This year’s annual workshop is Saturday, December 3rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation’s lodge, 16004 Hayes Road in Middlefield. Registration is required – and already limited! – at GeaugaParkDistrict.org or 440-286-9516.
While registering, participants will be asked to select one of four projects: centerpiece with bird, mantelpiece, outdoor swag with ornaments or wreath with berries. Illustrations of all four options can be seen on the Bulletin Board at http://geaugaparkdistrict.org. An $18.00 fee will be charged upon registration, and $7.00 will be due to the instructor at the program.
Various evergreens, pine cones and ribbons will be provided, but you may also bring your own accents – after all, this is your project to keep – as well as pruners and a plastic bag to protect your car seat from water.
For younger artists ages 3 to 5, a naturalist will also host Timbertots: Evergreen Artists! at The West Woods Nature Center on Sunday, December 4th, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., or Monday, December 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Accompanied by an adult, these kids will discover what’s cool about pine trees and other evergreens, venture outside a little while, then make their own fun centerpiece to take home.
Registration is required for the Timbertots program at GeaugaParkDistrict.org or 440-286-9516. Again, bows and pine cones will be provided, but kids may bring small decorations if they’d like. All opportunities are fully wheelchair / stroller accessible. Call 440-286-9516 with questions.
Geauga Park District is online at http://geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
