MasonBuzz.com

The city of Mason is calling on residents to make the Christmas holiday brighter for local families in need.

Now in its 16th year, the city has partnered with the Mason Food Pantry to assist with food needs while the Hope for the Holidays program assists with gift donations.

Residents can contribute by donating non-perishable food and household items, gift certificates and new and unwrapped toy donations now through Dec. 10.

Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Mason Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, or drop off food donations during open hours at the Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Individuals and groups are also needed to “adopt” families.  To adopt a family, call 513-229-8507 and leave your name and phone number or email hopefortheholidays@masonoh.org.

People in need of assistance can register for the program by calling the Mason Food Pantry at 513-754-0333.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: charity, christmas, city of mason, giving, Hope for the Holidays, mason, mason food pantry, philanthropy

The Salvation Army has issued an appeal for sponsors to participate in its Adopt-a-Family program.

The annual program provides gifts to hundreds of less fortunate families and seniors in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Ky. areas.

The need is greater for large families of five or more members, but sponsors are needed for families of all sizes, said Faith Miller, divisional program secretary.

“We are blessed every year by the generosity of Adopt-a-Family sponsors who provide wonderful presents for others,” she said. “It’s encouraging to see the response from the community when they learn that there is a very tangible way for them to share Christmas joy with others.”

The agency receives referrals from its own social workers at its community centers as well as from partner agencies.

Sponsors who adopt a family or senior are provided with information about the family or individual and asked to purchase gifts, wrap them and bring them to a distribution center on Dec. 6-7.

For information, go to www.salvationarmycincinnati.org or call 513-762-5600.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: adopt-a-family, charity, christmas, faith miller, gifts, giving, salvation army

Gabrielle Pathrose, 11, of Mason, was named the third place winner in the Gee Whiz Kids Award program by the Heart of America Foundation. Photo provided/Mason Schools

At just 11 years of age, Gabrielle Pathrose has already dedicated countless hours to helping others.  Now the Mason sixth-grader is being recognized for those efforts.

The Heart of America Foundation named Gabrielle the third-place winner in its annual Gee Whiz Kids Award program.

The award honors students ages 12 and under who exemplify the value of service in America.

Gabrielle and her older brother, Joshua, 13, teamed up this past year to raise thousands to benefit families of 9/11 victims and international disaster relief efforts.  The pair performed concerts — Josh plays guitar and Gabrielle plays violin — at local grocery stores and collected donations.

The siblings raised $600 more for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center by selling cold water to spectators at local soccer games.  They then collected more than 200 stuffed animals and toys to donate to patients at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Gabrielle is an active junior volunteer at the Cedar Village retirement community in Mason, where she volunteers three hours each week after school helping residents with physical therapy, assisting nurses and playing her violin.

She also volunteers at the Chesterwood Village nursing home in West Chester at Christmas and Easter.

Gabrielle will receive a certificate and $100 scholarship donated by Marilyn and Amanda Perlyn, the mother-daughter author and illustrator of the book, “The Biggest and Brightest Light,” a children’s book that teaches the importance of giving.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: 9/11, cincinnati children's hospital medical center, community service, donations, gabrielle pathrose, gee whiz kids award, giving, heart of america foundation, international disaster relief, joshua pathrose, scholarship, shriner's hospital, the biggest and brightest light

Mason Heights technology teacher Melanie Jordan reads the letter that Ritwik Jaipuriar (left), Aaron Nichols (right) and Quinn Nichols (not pictured) wrote to her about why they appreciate her and what they could do to help as part of a Holiday Helpers initiative. Provided photo

Watch out, Santa’s elves.  Students at Mason Heights are in training to become holiday helpers.

When students in Corri Doenecke and Whitney Young’s third grade classes were asked to finish the phrase, “Tis the season to…,” most of them said, “get presents.” The two teachers wanted to change their perspective by encouraging them to help others and give back to the school, said Doenecke.

“A group of students were paired with teachers, janitors, secretaries, etc… to help the staff with whatever needs done right before break,” she explained.  “We talk about a way to help others without giving presents, but giving of ourselves.”

Student Ritwik Jaipuriar helped technology teacher Melanie Jordan as part of the initiative.

“She is kind, respectful and helpful and that’s why we wanted to help her,” he said.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: aaron nichols, christmas, corri doenecke, giving, holiday helpers, holidays, mason heights, mason heights elementary, melanie jordan, ritwik jaipuriar, whitney young

The city of Mason is offering several ways to help local families in need this holiday season.

This is the 15th year the city has held its Hope for the Holidays program. Proceeds directly benefit families living in Mason.

Here are ways to help:

• Select an item from the giving tree at the Mason Community Center. To best meet their need, families are being asked for a short wish list. Donated items will then be matched to a specific individual or family.
• Adopt a family by calling the Hope for the Holidays hotline at 513-229-8507. Leave your name and phone number and a representative will contact you with a list of items requested by a specific family.
• Donate non-perishable food items at drop-off locations (listed below) throughout the city
• Donate new and unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, household items and gift certificates to drop-off locations listed below.

Donations will be accepted at these locations through Friday:

• Mason Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, during regular operating hours.
• Mason fire stations, 4420 Mason-Montgomery Road or 5500 Cedar Village Drive. Items may be delivered to the stations at any time, but if all personnel are out on a call, the station may be temporarily closed.
• Mason Public Works Department, 4211 State Route 741, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Mason’s Water Reclamation Plant, 3200 Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For assistance or to nominate a family for help, call the hotline at 513-229-8507 or email hopefortheholidays@masonoh.org.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, children, christmas, city of mason, donate, gifts, giving, Hope for the Holidays, mason, needy, presents