Pictured from left to right: Jane Newkirk, Mary Jane West(NB&T), Carol Ewing, Doug Tucker

On December 15, 2010 National Bank and Trust donated $500 to Community Actions Food Pantry.  This donation came right on the start of the Christmas season and made a definite impact on providing food for the holiday.  We would like to thank Mary Jane and her staff for the donation and helping to support this community.

ASTAR Donation

Pictured from left to right are member of the ASTAR Air Cargo Charity Committee Team, members of the ASTAR Executive team, and Representatives of Community Action.  VP, Flight Operations Pete Blessing, Kara Schulte, Alisha Gatewood, VP Operations Finance Martin Godly, Carol Ewing (CCCA), Melissa Cherwin (partially hidden), Larry Weigel, Wilma McBrayer (CCCA), VP Employee Relations Rob Miller and Kathy Johnson.

Every year around Christmas, ASTAR makes donations to local charities to help support Christmas giving.  This year Clinton County Community Actions Food Pantry was chosen to be a recipient.  ASTAR generously donated $10,000 in order help put food on the shelves of the Food Pantry, which in turn will help put food in the hands of families that need it most this time of year.  A sincere thank you goes out to ASTAR and their team for helping to support a much needed program here in Clinton County.

“This will be a great opportunity for the residents to work on a project that will affect many in the local community,” said Clinton County Community Action Housing Manager, Jane Newkirk.  “With the hard times that everyone has been going through, this is a perfect way to provide quality food at an affordable cost.”

The whole effort has been a collaboration of both young and old.  The senior residents and youth from the Summer Youth Employment Training Program provided by The Department of Job and Family Services have worked together to make this garden possible.  In addition to this, Wilmington College Professor Monte Anderson has spent many hours volunteering to help with the planning and implementing of the gardens.

“It has been great to see the team work that has been shown in order to bring this project together,” said Newkirk.

Though this project got a bit of a late start in the growing season, there are still plans to take full advantage of the time that is left and prepare for the next year.  The residents are very excited of things to come and are looking forward to reaping the benefits of their hard work.

Wilmington, OH – December 23, 2009 – Christmas came early for the Clinton County Community and it wasn’t delivered in a sleigh but on a jet from New York City.  Philanthropist, Ross Dworman watched the 60 Minutes follow up on the DHL pullout Sunday and was moved by the hardships facing this community.  On Monday, a call was made to the United Way of Clinton County and a challenge was issued that Mr. Dworman would donate $25,000 but he was looking to make a big impact with local matching funds.  Once again the Wilmington community stepped up to help take care of itself.  Through the generosity of local companies that include Cincinnati/Dayton Kroger Company, TimberTech, LTD., Generations Pizzeria, Babb Heating & Cooling, Dr. Tom Matrka & Dr. Janet Gick, plus the United Way of Clinton County $50,000.00 will be available to provide food to the Clinton County Community.

The funds generated will be in the form of Kroger Gift Cards that in turn, will be used in a pilot program with Clinton County Community Action Food Bank to provide supplement groceries.  This gift cards are in the addition to the food baskets already provided.  This service affects nearly 1,000 people on a monthly basis and will make an impact on the health of this community for approximately six months if the service levels stay the same. 

“Christmas is the time of miracles and Mr. Dworman has provided a miracle to our community and has also made all of us realize that generosity starts as home and the local businesses that provided this match are to be commended.  Many of these companies are feeling the effects of our high levels of unemployment but still found the ability to ensure that the citizens of Clinton County will have food on their tables through the cold months of the year when it become increasingly difficult to afford to feed their families due to higher living costs.”  According to Kym Cooper Parks, Executive Director of the United Way of Clinton County.

The gift card program will start working in Clinton County today.  Mr. Dworman and his family will be traveling to Wilmington to hand out the first cards at the Community Action Food Bank at 789 N. Nelson Ave., in Wilmington.

“We are proud to partner with these fine organizations in an effort to provide support to our neighbors in Wilmington,” Said Geoff Covert, President of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division.  “Fighting hunger in our community is one of the highest priorities of the Kroger Co.,” continues Mr. Covert, “We appreciate the commitment organizations like the Clinton County Community Action Food Bank have to helping families have meals, not just during the holiday season but year long.”

The United Way of Clinton County is accepting additional donations to help support this program and 32 other local charities that provide food, clothing, shelter, mental health assistance, and education.  These grants are awarded annually from donations made by businesses and citizens of Clinton County Community leading to its goal of making an impact by our community helping itself.  Donations can be made at the local United Way office at 31 W Main St., Wilmington, Oh.

Contact:

Kym Cooper Parks

31 W Main St.

Wilmington, Oh 45177

937.383.4846

kparks@unitedway-clinton.org