FCSLA In the Community: Join Hands Day

Cleveland Project #2

Okres Anna Hurban
Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland District's second Join Hands Day project was held on Saturday May 17, 2008, at Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford, Ohio. Thanks to the Cleveland District's reporter M. Joan Thesling for the report, and to the junior members who were responsible for taking the photos for the event.

The Cleveland District continues to mark Join Hands Day with the residents and staff at Light of Hearts Villa. We thank them, too, for helping us plan the two events at their facility. They are gracious hosts/hostesses! Kudos to the following Light of Hearts staff: Janet Kodrich, Susan Timmons, Gloria Terlosky, Sr. Helen Therese Scancy, SC,( a FCSLA member too!), and Barbara Hammrel, executive director of LOHV.

The day was a great success because many Junior Members and their families from the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association participated along with many of our adult members. In addition to FCSLA members, the alumni of Lumen Cordium High School (now known as Light of Hearts Villa) also joined us for the day and conducted the car wash. Donations from the car wash were given to LOHV.

The project consisted of cleaning and beautifying the grounds at LOHV. Volunteers cleared away old leaves and brush from flower beds, removed weeds, planted shrubs & flowers, and washed vehicles. Several FCSLA members hosted bingo games, which were enjoyed by many residents of the Villa. The project also included collection of food items for the Seton Safety Net, which is the community Outreach Service provided by the Sisters of Charity in Bedford, Ohio.

When work was completed, everyone came together for a brief prayer service near the waterfall and pond. Petitions were presented by our junior members: Nick Mizikar, Ben Mizikar, Kristina Mizikar, Bridget Naughton, Brynne Naughton, Kendall Lucas and Ryan Lagzdins.

Children released goldfish into the pond, and then released the helium filled balloons, each carrying a note requesting the finder to contact LOHV.

A balloon was found in Franklin, Pennsylvania by the Borger Family in their front yard the Sunday after the event. They contacted us via e-mail, per the instructions on the tag of the balloon. Franklin, Pennsylvania is approximately 120 miles east of Bedford, Ohio. Barbara Sekerak contacted the Brogers and thanked them for responding and also sent them a "reward" package.

Volunteers and residents were treated to a light lunch of salad, pizza, cake, chips, beverage and the "Hand" cookies that were made by volunteers prior to the day's event. Everyone enjoyed listening to Ralph Szubski of FCSLA Branch 681 play both Slovak and English songs on the accordion, and several residents and volunteers danced to the music!

Bedford Council member Marilyn Zolata expressed the City's appreciation for FCSLA's continued support to beautifying the grounds at LOHV. The residents and staff of the Light of Hearts Villa also expressed their thanks and appreciation, as well, and were delighted with the bench the Cleveland District presented to them. Now, the residents will be able to sit by the garden and enjoy the fruits of labor by the FCSLA members and friends who made Join Hands Day 2008 a success!

As of this writing, a second balloon finding was reported in Franklin, Pennsylvania! The finder sent the tag and a note to LOHV asking us to let her know when the balloon was launched. We can tell from the tag that it was from last year's event! We are in the process of contacting the finder and are excited to share information about our Join Hands Day events. Do you think we can have a project in Franklin, Pennsylvania next year?

Read about Anna Hurban - Cleveland District Project #1.

Learn more about FCSLA in the community.