Prepping for the 18th annual Winter Warm-Up Event, which is staged today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Grange Building at the Logan County Fairgrounds, is an endeavor that occupies much of the year for the dedicated volunteers behind it.
It begins with collecting clothing and household goods from community members and storing the items. In the days and weeks leading up to the main event, many hands are involved in organizing and sorting through items to ease participants’ experience at finding items in their sizes.
“As long as one person finds what they need, it’s all worth it,” organizers said Thursday while setting up the hundreds of donations that are free to those attending the warm-up.
One of the group leaders, Lisa Rogers said the event began at her church, Harper Community Church.
“When it started, we only had one or two families attend; now we have close to 200,” she said, noting that when they relocated in town to Bellefontaine, their attendance grew.
Now the 18th annual event is a mission project of Harper Community Church, First Friends Church, Hi Point Free Will Baptist Church and Rush Church.
Participants are asked to enter through the Main Street gate and follow the signs. Organizers ask that individuals wait in their vehicles until 9 a.m. when the doors are opened. Face coverings, social distancing required, and COVID capacity will be required.
Even with the start of the pandemic last year, the Logan County Health District officials enabled this event to continue because it helps so many families in need, the organizers noted. To ensure the safety of the participants, the LCHD representatives gave the volunteers COVID protocol to follow.
The Grange Building will operate under COVID capacity. If the building is at capacity with the number of people inside, attendees will be given a numbered paper plate and will be asked to wait in their vehicles until their number is called.
Clothing of all sizes, shoes, coats, dishes, small appliances are all part of the giveaway.
When participants are finished making their selections, they also will receive a gift bag before leaving the fairground. The bags are filled with toiletries, cleaning supplies and other goodies.
Along passing out the goodie bags, the volunteers will be taking prayer requests as well.
Last year, they gave out healthy meals in the goodie bags, enough for a family of four.
Rogers also extended her appreciation to all the volunteers, including all of the assistance from Friends of Leroy Brown, the prayers and well-wishes they received, and the support of Belle Printing, the Logan County Fair Board and the private donators and for the pizza and waters for volunteers.
All of the leftover donations will be donated to The Mansfield Shoe Drive, Clothing Barn and Planet Aid, which is a textile recycle organization.
To make a donation for next year’s event, search for “Winter Warm Up” on Facebook and send the group a message, or you can drop off items anytime at Harper Community Church, 3679 N. County Road 25, Bellefontaine.