FCSLA In the Community: Join Hands Day
Cleveland Project #2
Okres Anna Hurban
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland District's second Join Hands Day project was held on Saturday
May 17, 2008, at Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio. Thanks to the Cleveland
District's reporter M. Joan Thesling for the report, and to the junior members
who were responsible for taking the photos for the event.
The Cleveland District continues to mark Join Hands Day with the residents
and staff at Light of Hearts Villa. We thank them, too, for helping us plan
the two events at their facility. They are gracious hosts/hostesses! Kudos
to the following Light of Hearts staff: Janet Kodrich, Susan Timmons,
Gloria Terlosky, Sr. Helen Therese Scancy, SC,( a FCSLA member too!), and Barbara
Hammrel, executive director of LOHV.
The day was a great success because many Junior Members and their families
from the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association participated along with many
of our adult members. In addition to FCSLA members, the alumni of Lumen Cordium
High School (now known as Light of Hearts Villa) also joined us for the day
and conducted the car wash. Donations from the car wash were given to LOHV.
The project consisted of cleaning and beautifying the grounds at LOHV. Volunteers
cleared away old leaves and brush from flower beds, removed weeds, planted
shrubs & flowers, and washed vehicles. Several FCSLA members hosted bingo
games, which were enjoyed by many residents of the Villa. The project also
included collection of food items for the Seton Safety Net, which is the community
Outreach Service provided by the Sisters of Charity in Bedford, Ohio.
When work was completed, everyone came together for a brief prayer service
near the waterfall and pond. Petitions were presented by our junior members:
Nick Mizikar, Ben Mizikar, Kristina Mizikar, Bridget Naughton, Brynne Naughton,
Kendall Lucas and Ryan Lagzdins.
Children released goldfish into the pond, and then released the helium filled
balloons, each carrying a note requesting the finder to contact LOHV.
A balloon was found in Franklin, Pennsylvania by the Borger Family in their
front yard the Sunday after the event. They contacted us via e-mail, per
the instructions on the tag of the balloon. Franklin, Pennsylvania is approximately
120 miles east of Bedford, Ohio. Barbara Sekerak contacted the Brogers and
thanked them for responding and also sent them a "reward" package.
Volunteers and residents were treated to a light lunch of salad, pizza, cake,
chips, beverage and the "Hand" cookies that were made by volunteers
prior to the day's event. Everyone enjoyed listening to Ralph Szubski
of FCSLA Branch 681 play both Slovak and English songs on the accordion, and
several residents and volunteers danced to the music!
Bedford Council member Marilyn Zolata expressed the City's appreciation
for FCSLA's continued support to beautifying the grounds at LOHV. The
residents and staff of the Light of Hearts Villa also expressed their thanks
and appreciation, as well, and were delighted with the bench the Cleveland
District presented to them. Now, the residents will be able to sit by the garden
and enjoy the fruits of labor by the FCSLA members and friends who made Join
Hands Day 2008 a success!
As of this writing, a second balloon finding was reported in Franklin, Pennsylvania!
The finder sent the tag and a note to LOHV asking us to let her know when the
balloon was launched. We can tell from the tag that it was from last year's
event! We are in the process of contacting the finder and are excited to share
information about our Join Hands Day events. Do you think we can have a project
in Franklin, Pennsylvania next year?
Read about Anna Hurban - Cleveland District
Project #1.
Learn more about FCSLA in the community.
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