910th Airlift Wing plans Central America mission

910th Airlift Wing plans
Central America mission

VIENNA — Air Force Reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing will depart here Monday for Central America on a “Mission of Love.”

Their cargo will include thousands of pounds of educational supplies, beds, toys, vehicle parts and equipment being sent to Central America by “The Mission of Love Foundation” through the Denton Program, a program that allows humanitarian goods to be transported on military cargo planes.

The “Mission of Love” is a Youngstown-based nonprofit organization providing humanitarian aid to those in need worldwide, especially children.

The reservists will first go to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., before remaining overnight and then proceeding to Coronel Enrique Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras.

The pallets will be downloaded in Honduras and then two pallets of firefighting equipment will be uploaded for transport to Managua, Nicaragua.

The aircraft will then return to MacDill AFB and remain overnight before returning to Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

Jackson Twp. receives
firefighting grant

NORTH JACKSON — The Jackson Township Fire Department received $4,500 from the Ohio Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program, according to state Rep. Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th.

VFA grants are administered by the Division of Forestry within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The funds are earmarked for either equipment upgrades at existing fire departments or assisting new departments with organizational, training and equipment costs.

The Jackson Township department will use the grant to buy 10 complete sets of personal protective equipment.

Rich Center donation

YOUNGSTOWN — The Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown received a $4,000 donation from the Youngstown Peace Race. The money will be used for general support of the program, said Wendy Pakalnis, Rich Center event coordinator.

In the past, the proceeds from the Peace Race went to Tod Children’s Hospital, which was closed this year by Forum Health.

Museum holiday event

YOUNGSTOWN — The Children’s Museum of the Valley, 139 E. Boardman St., will hold its Winter Holiday Celebration from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, and children under age 3 and all museum members are free.

Visitors will celebrate holidays around the world with activities such as a “Name That Holiday” game, Letters to Santa, holiday stories and crafts, and cookies and hot chocolate.

Free Christmas dinner

YOUNGSTOWN — The Morgan Food Company and Kentucky Fried Chicken will host a free Christmas dinner at 2 p.m. Sunday at the McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road in Youngstown.

No appointment is needed. Those with questions can call (330) 744-4377.

Nominations sought for
Crestview alumni award

COLUMBIANA — Alumni from Crestview High School and its predecessors (New Waterford and Fairfield Centralized high schools) have formed a committee to recognize distinguished graduates and create a “Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.”

This provides a method to honor alumni who have distinguished themselves through service to their career, community, state and nation, organizers said.

The public is encouraged to submit nominations for Distinguished Alumni consideration.

Nomination forms and additional information are available on the Crestview Web site (www.crestviewlocal.k12.oh.us) or mail a request to Chuck Koch, P.O. Box 283, New Waterford, OH 44445-0283.

Budget proposal online

MERCER, Pa. — A summary of the proposed 2008 Mercer County budget is available electronically at the county’s Web site at www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us.

County commissioners expect to formally adopt the 2008 budget at their meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 in the assembly room of the courthouse. Printed versions of the budget remain available in the commissioners’ office.