Groups, organizations and schools use fair to share information
Education: Sacred Heart second grade students are pictured preparing their books about an animal’s habitat for the Sacred Heart School county fair booth. Students researched, wrote and designed a cut paper cover for their book. Pictured from left in front are: Gavin Bassett, Alexia Jennings and Jaden Everhart; in back are: Paytyn Tubbs, Collin Ladrach and Mattalyn Kiser. Photo contributed to The Beacon
COSHOCTON – The fair is about more than animals and agriculture. It’s also a great place to gather information and learn about community clubs, organizations and schools.
“Our fair booth is a promotional tool for us,” said Donna Stanton, who helps with Girl Scout Troops 455 and 1988 in Warsaw. “It helps us get the word out to the general public about the activities the girls do and allows us to showcase things.”
There also will be information about the Girl Scouts anit-bullying program and on how to become a member of the group.
“We want to get more girls involved because it really is a positive atmosphere,” Stanton said. “Girl Scouts is fun, educational and something the girls will remember for years.”
The fair also provides children the opportunity to share with the public what they are doing in school.
The theme for Sacred Heart School’s fair booth is “The Arts of Language.”
“Mrs. (Jan) Kinder came up with our theme and we then came up with ideas on how to include all of the students subjects into projects for them to work on,” said Michelle Bassett, art teacher at the school. “We included sign language, Spanish, cursive and writing projects. I hope to use all of our projects in our booth. The only thing that will limit the items will be space.”
Bassett said the students, especially the first graders, are looking forward to showing their work to the community.
“The first graders are so excited about the project they have been working on for several weeks,” she said. “They have read the book ‘My Many Colored Days’ by Dr. Seuss and have used water colors, glue sticks and scissors to put together their projects.”
The fundraising efforts and generous spirits of several different organizations also will be showcased at the fair.
Dave Dilly, commander of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter, started collecting donations in June to help the DAV purchase a new van to transport local veterans to VA appointments at hospitals and clinics. The group needs $28,000 for the project and has already received around $22,000 in donations. A list of those who have already donated will be part of the Coshocton County Veterans Service Commission’s fair display.
“I just can’t put into words how great it feels to see all these different groups making donations,” Dilly said. “I’m overwhelmed by how much everyone has stepped up.”
One of the more recent donations for the van came from the American Legion Warsaw Post 634.
They gave Dilly a check for $2,485 Sept. 18. The Post raised the funds through a raffle and a $1,000 donation it received from the Coshocton Elks 376, thanks to the help of Marilyn Griffis, Ohio State Chairman of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
“Mr. Dilly asked us for a donation and I decided I was going to get him as much as I could,” said Don Scifres, adjutant of the Post 634.
Winner of the raffle, which included a tub of a variety of hunting calls, knives and other items, was Ron Davis, who was surprised he won.
“I never win anything, but I knew my money was going to a good cause and Dave would do a great job with the money raised,” he said.
Dilly believes the DAV will very easily be able to get a grant to cover the remaining cost of the van and that it should be purchased and available for use by February 2014.
The Coshocton County Veterans Service Commission’s fair booth is under the grandstand, where you also can find information on agencies like Six County.
“Six County has a booth there every year to cover topics like depression, anxiety and services available to residents of our county,” said Beth Cormack, director of Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices. “We offer the booth because it’s a great way to get information into the hands of consumers who may not know how to deal with issues that have cropped up in their lives.”
She encourages people to stop to say hello and find out about services offered right here in Coshocton.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
