Barbara Hendel: Veterans honored with outdoor events

Nov. 19--VETERANS Day was celebrated at Genesis Village last week. Because of the beautiful weather, they were able to hold a small and socially distanced outdoor ceremony honoring all of the brave men and women who are Genesis Village veterans that sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Each Veteran received a Veterans Flag gift donated by Hidden Beauty (etsy.me/3bkalQa) and Tim Hortons provided donuts which were distributed via a makeshift "Tim Hortons Drive-Thru."

The celebration included the national anthem sung by Stephanie McGee McCormick, a 21 gun salute, and a presentation by Master Sergeant Steven Kocinski, United StatesMarine Corps Retired.

TO celebrate Veterans Day, Leading Families Home interviewed Kathy, a U.S. veteran currently residing at Beach House Family Shelter to learn about her days in the military and how she became homeless. Through LFH's collaborative with the Veterans Administration, Kathy will soon be transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.

To assist LFH, which includes Beach House and FOCUS, in helping other homeless individuals, a Winter Wonderland virtual auction of wine, gifts, art, and more, started Nov. 18 and runs through Nov. 25. Once you place a bid, you will be informed of the status of your bid. You can also text-to-bid from your smartphone. If bidding on an item isn't for you, consider just making a donation.

Then on Dec. 1, which is #GivingTuesday, there will be a live event which will reveal the winners of the auction with special prizes given to the most engaged supporters so even if you don't win, you may still get a prize!

Stories about LFH will also be shared from shelter participants, donors, staff, and community members.

Follow LFH on social media--Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter or sign up for the email newsletter at lfhtoledo.org.

THE "You Play -- Pets Win" 50-50 raffle presented by Planned Pethood Inc. started Nov. 18 and runs through Dec. 18, followed by the drawing for the winner which will receive 50 percent of the jackpot.

No in-person event, no Zoom event, just go online or call from the comfort of your home. Visit plannedpethood5050.com, call 419-826-FIXX (3499) or go to plannedpethood.org.

The proceeds will support the programs and services necessary for Planned Pethood, operating for more than 40 years, to rescue and care for the many abandoned, injured, and unwanted dogs and cats in our community and get them into loving homes and to address overpopulation via a low cost spay-neuter program. The foster-based animal rescue program serves Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

"Even if we are not able to get together in person this year for events, everyone can still play and support Planned Pethood, not to mention maybe being a winner," Board President Jennifer Herbert said. Other board members include Barb DiNardo; Colleen Crane; Mary Torio; Dr. Kittsen McCumber, DVM; Karen Ash; Michael Kurdys; Dan Morey; Bob Oates; Julie Pompa, and Heather Tessler. Community advocate Carol Dunn, who recently passed away, was also a board member.

THE 84th Masters Tournament last weekend at Augusta National was exciting for many, even if they watched it on television rather than attending this year due to the pandemic. On the local front, watching his first Master's tournament was Myles Patrick O'Connor, all fashionably decked out in his first Master's jacket that he received from his daddy, Sean O'Connor, a golfer. Baby O'Connor sat with the big boys -- his father, Sean, and proud grandfather, Jack Sculfort who have watched the Master's every year and have attended several of the tournaments.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.

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