Blott Kids Holiday Project is Wednesday

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Family Practice Center at ValleyCare Northside Medical Center, 500 Gypsy Lane, will participate in the Blott Kids Holiday Project at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Sharon Wathen, project chairwoman, will talk with the family practice residents, faculty and staff concerning the fundraising for this year’s project.

At this time, participants will select a holiday gift request tag and fulfill the Christmas wishes of many Mahoning Valley children.

Northside Family Practice has been involved with the project the last three years. In addition to gifts for the children, each family receives a gift card or voucher for food purchases from Giant Eagle or Walmart.

More than 30 years ago, Gretchen Reed, teacher at EJ Blott Elementary School in Liberty, recognized that many of her students were in need of clothing, winter coats, shoes and gifts during the Christmas season. Reed invited her adult Sunday school class at the Church Hill United Methodist Church to create an outreach project to fulfill the needs of the children. She is still involved, but has passed the coordination of efforts to the congregation.

The residents of Liberty are asked to help. In 2015, 90 children received clothing, toys, games and books through the generosity of the individuals and businesses of the township.

Giving baskets will be at the Family Practice Center, Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, and Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way.

Giving trees will be at Denny’s, Great Clips and Walmart, all on Belmont Avenue, as well as Church Hill United Methodist Church, 189 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, the Liberty Branch of the Trumbull County Public Library and the Liberty Center, both on Church Hill-Hubbard Road.

For information, contact the church at 330-759-0118.