Captain Candy visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Captain Candy, Salvation Army, and Shana Fair, Byesville Rotary President.

 

Captain Candy presented a brief history of the Salvation Army to club members. She concluded by updating the club on what the Salvation Army is doing in Cambridge.

Candy stated that one of the Army’s major efforts is reducing hunger in Guernsey County. To meet needs, the Army uses varying approaches. One approach is their summer sack lunch program for school children. In 2019, the Army provided over 1300 lunches. Byesville Rotary contributes to that program to help provide lunches to kids in Byesville. This year club members volunteered to help make sandwiches for the lunch bags.

Candy reported that the Army added a new program aimed at reducing hunger. The Army has changed their food pantry into a “choice” pantry. People coming to the pantry have the option to choose the items they would like to receive. In effect, people “shop” for their needs. Users can pick fruit and vegetables as well as a grain and a protein. Frozen meat is included if it is available. The Army gets most of its supplies through the Ohio Food Bank. Baked goods are provided by donation from Riesbeck’s.

Each year, the Army offers a Christmas food basket available to people living in Cambridge and the northern part of the county. Sign-ups for the 2019 program were in October. In connection with the food basket program, the Army also sponsors an Angel Tree program so that children in families receiving a food basket will also be given Christmas gifts.

Byesville Rotary shares this food basket responsibility with the Army. The Byesville Rotary club takes responsibility for providing baskets to families in the Rolling School District. People can still sign up for the Byesville food baskets by calling 740-260-8242.

Candy briefly described some other services the Army provides. They will help people who need assistance with utilities and rent. One room in their building is now a hangout for kids. Younger kids use the space between 10:00am—1:00 pm. The room serves young adults in the evening. Candy hopes the area will provide recovering addicts an alternative to their old hang-outs. Breaking old habits and developing new ones is an important step for recovering addicts.

Candy explained the Army’s most recognized program—their red kettles—provides their main source of income. This year the red goal has been set at $100,000—up from 2018’s $75,000. People wanting to donate can drop donations off at the Salvation Army building or watch for small red kettles in various stores and organizations

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Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Join us for coffee and donuts at 7:00. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690

Byesville Rotary Hears about Employment Navigator service at Guernsey County DD

Pictured: Jennifer Oakley, Employment Navigator, Guernsey County Board of DD, and Tanya Hitchens, SSA/Medicaid Director, Guernsey County Board of DD.

Jennifer Oakley, Employment Navigator at the Guernsey county Board of DD, spoke to Byesville Rotary about the process used to help people with disabilities enter the mainstream job market, find and retain jobs. Oakley pointed out that October was DD Employment Awareness Month and she was glad to have the opportunity to speak to the club.

Oakley explained that the Employment Navigator (EN) serves as the point contact person for people with developmental disabilities who want to apply for a job that will help that individual became more independent. She went on to explain that the EN helps people with disabilities explore different careers as well as help them fill out applications, create resumes, and work skills.

Oakley emphasized that people with disabilities are not given special treatment by employers. Each person with disabilities applying for a job must meet the same requirements anyone applying for the job must meet to be employed.

In other activities, Byesville Rotary members are preparing for their annual Christmas Food Basket program. The club has sponsored this program for over 20 years. They held a 3-day sign-up for the food basket program last week. To date they have registered 115 families out of the 200 they will be able to serve. Club members continue to register families in the Rolling Hills School District by phone—740-260-8242.

Additionally, members are raising funds to purchase supplies for the program. The main source of funding is from the Rotary club. This is supplemented by individual donations and various fundraising efforts. Total costs of the program run to about $6000. A donation of $35 feeds an entire family. Donations can be made to: Byesville Rotary, PO Box 211, Byesville, Ohio 43723.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690