ThisWeek CW 08/20/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/08/17/canal-winchester-human-services-groundbreaking-will-mark-agencys-60-years-of-helping.html
Canal Winchester Human Services will mark its 60th anniversary Sunday, Aug. 23, with a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new facility.
Final plans are still in the works and no construction date has been set, but the ceremony on Sunday is a way for the agency to look to the future while honoring its past, Human Services Administrator Penny Miller said.
A celebration of the organization’s 60th year of service to Canal Winchester residents will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the field adjacent to David’s Way apartments, 73 Covenant Way, where Human Services hopes to build a 5,000-square-foot warehouse on 2 acres.
“The celebration will take place on the grounds beside David’s Way, where we hope to be breaking ground for the new warehouse facility in the near future,” Miller said. “We will be acknowledging everyone that has ever served on the board of directors because the legacy they have left over the years is the reason we continue to serve the Canal Winchester community.
“The commitment and dedication to helping people in need is what has been the foundation of the services that we continue to provide.”
Special recognition will be given to Jo Weiser, who has served on the board of directors consistently since Canal Winchester Human Services was founded in 1955 and continues to be a trustee today.
Miller said the organization still functions on the same principles on which it was founded.
“We hope that everyone that has served in the past will attend, or be represented by family members if they are no longer living,” Miller said.
She said the organization is continuing to progress through pre-construction requirements for the new warehouse.
A site development plan and a request for a conditional use permit have been submitted to the Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission, Miller said.
“Construction bids will be acquired in the coming weeks,” she said. “Fundraising efforts continue and we hope that everyone will support our One Square Foot campaign.”
The names of those who contribute $50 or more to the campaign will be included in a permanent donor acknowledgement display at the building site.
The new facility will give Human Services one central location for its primary functions, which include a senior transportation program; a community outreach program that provides programming for senior citizens and assistance to families in need; and the largest program, the community food pantry.
“This has quickly become the largest program for Human Services, which in the last year provided 113,000 meals through the Choice Pantry and the Feeding our Future initiative, collectively serving more than 1,550 people,” Miller said. “While we’ve appreciated our current location (at 22 S. Trine St.) since 2012, it is hard to sustain rent over the long term if Human Services intends to continue providing the services as it does now.”
After 60 years, Miller said she believes Canal Winchester Human Services has proven its value to the community, and she hopes community members will join in the celebration and continue their support of the organization.
“We invite everyone to join us for a lovely afternoon of remembering all that has been accomplished in the past and hear about our plans for the future, as we prepare for the next 60 years,” Miller said.
For more information about this event or making a donation to the One Square Foot campaign, emailpenny.cwhs@gmail.com.