Young Professionals collecting to aid foster kids

Submitted
Published 6:09 a.m. ET Nov. 17, 2020

CLOSE

Young Professionals collecting to aid foster kids

FREMONT – This GivingTuesday, Sandusky County Young Professional Group (SCYPG) will inspire generosity by giving birthdays to our most vulnerable youth who are a part of Sandusky County foster and kinship care programs. 

GivingTuesday will kick off  the holiday season by inspiring people to give back on Dec. 1, and throughout the year.

The SCYPG joined GivingTuesday to kick-off a new program, Operation: Birthday Wish” that will launch on Jan. 1, 2021. The mission of  Operation: Birthday Wish  is to provide youth in foster or kinship care the opportunity to celebrate their birthday and make a birthday wish.

An entire birthday celebration is assembled, packaged and then delivered to a Sandusky County SUPER foster child. This party in a box, includes a birthday cake, candles, party plates, a birthday present and party decorations. 

Currently there are approximately 90 youth in foster or kinship care in Sandusky County. The SCYPG has a goal of raising $10,000 to supply 100 birthday boxes to youth and young adults throughout Sandusky County. 

“More often than not, children are placed into a home with nothing but the clothes on their back. In the case of kinship placement, families may not be prepared to raise additional family members, but are also too proud to ask for additional help, or may not qualify for assistance” stated Andrea Gibson, president of the SCYPG.  

Those who are interested in joining Sandusky County Young Professional Group’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit scypg.org or https://go.rallyup.com/givingbirthdays to make a donation or email [email protected] for more ways to get involved. For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit the GivingTuesday website givingtuesday.org.

Genoa Bank is opening a new operation center. (Photo: Submitted)

GenoaBank to open new operations center

GENOA – GenoaBank announced the opening of the new Operations Center at 622 Main St.

Bank employees previously located in separate buildings will now benefit from the collaborative work atmosphere, shared resources, advanced technology, and greater operational efficiencies that the 7,000 square foot facility will provide.

The space will serve as a home to support departments including loan administration, card services, operations, and the bank’s growing online and mobile banking division. The new Operations Center will allow the bank the opportunity for continued growth to serve the current and future needs of our customers.

The Operations Center stands as a symbol of our mission to preserve and grow GenoaBank for generations to come,” Chairman, President and CEO Martin P. Sutter said. 

Over the past decade, the bank’s assets and loans have doubled in size.  “Our highest priority continues to be in providing excellent customer service and financial products at competitive rates,” Sutter said. There is a training room that will afford all the different departments the opportunity to convene and be able to share ideas and training, positioning ourselves for the future growth.  The employees should be in place by the end of December. 

Boy Scouts offer virtual Cub Scout pack

TOLEDO – The Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts of America will launch a virtual Cub Scout Pack in order to better serve youth in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ed Caldwell, Erie Shores Council Scout Executive, CEO, “With the rise in COVID cases and the need to limit social gatherings, the Erie Shores Council volunteers and staff, have recognized the need to adapt some of our traditional programming to be better equipped to serve the entire community.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we began to create opportunities such as the six-week #Scoutingathome419 Challenge, online merit badges, virtual hike, virtual camp-in, and Camp-to-Go (a virtual day camp experience). Scouts have continued to serve the community through various service projects including food drives, park beautification and various Eagle projects.”

Caldwell added, “Many of our Cub Scout packs and Scouts BSA Troops continue to meet in person in small groups outdoors. Outdoor camping continues with state and local health guidelines being put in place. Our virtual pack allows families that are unable to participate in those small in-person groups, to experience what Scouting offers. Cub Scouts is more than just outdoor adventure. Scouting delivers character and leadership development, STEM-based activities and teaches service to the community all in a safe environment.

The virtual Cub Scout pack  launched Nov. 16 and is open to youth grades kindergarten through fifth.  Interested families can fill out the parent survey at tinyurl.com/VPParent or by contacting [email protected].