Originally Published by The Register – 12/28/22
HARRISON – Seventy-five families picked up clothing, toys for children and food at the Harrison Mayor’s Fund Drive Dec. 17 in conjunction with the Southwest Local School District.
The district goal was 30,000 items and the high school goal was 7,500 items. Distribution of food, clothing and toys was held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Harrison Mayor Bill Neyer thanked those who donated to the annual holiday distribution. Neyer told City Council the families were provided essential items to assist them during the holiday season.
Neyer says thousands of canned goods were donated through the school district’s food drive. Food items not distributed were donated to local food pantries.
Each family received frozen proteins, and more than 450 toys and stuffed animals collected by local businesses.
Molly Hasenohr and Jenny McLean, foreign language teachers and student council advisors at Harrison High School, helped organize the food collection drive. Freshmen coordinated the clothing drive.
The event has gone on for about 20 years, according to Neyer. Needy families are provided staples, including clothing, a bag of toys which matches children’s wishes. Pet Smart of Colerain donated more than 300 toys which were plush animals. J.T.M. Food Group contributed boxes of product for three to four meals.
Life Spring Pastor John Calabrese has helped coordinate the event and distribute the excess food to area food pantries.
School Superintendent John K. Hamstra said the drive is a tradition.
“This event is the definition of community. Everyone is here for the same reason,” said Director of Facilities and Communications Mike Morris who coordinated the project and is in his eighth year of participating in the drive.
Families could receive four bags of groceries. Clothing donations have increased and now include winter-based warm clothing, which comes from area churches.
Although pleased with this year’s distribution, Neyer hopes to expand the program next year.
“Next year were are going to expand to get some more businesses in and we are going to try to do a little better job getting the word out because last year we had almost 100 families and we know that there is a greater need than that in our community and we want to try to reach all of the people in need, especially during the Christmas season,” said Neyer. “I would like to thank everybody that participated and donated in that. There were a lot of hours behind the scenes coordinating and getting all that work done, all for a very worthy cause.”
