In the G.O. CDC clean-up day sidewalks along Route 20 on Saturday morning in Ashtabula. (From left) Frances Norman with Kalvin Long,7, Isaiah Salters and Jonathan Pulsifer.
Joe Adkins cleans brush from W. 58th St in Ashtabula during a My Neighborhood project Saturday afternoon.
ASHTABULA — Brooms, garbage bags and rakes were the tools of the trade for two area groups seeking to improve city neighborhoods.Early Saturday morning a group of volunteers began sweeping and cleaning the sidewalks along Route 20 between Lake and West avenues in an attempt to improve the neighborhood.The G.O. Community Development Corporation sponsored the clean-up operation, said group vice president Drew Thomas.The group has designated the area surrounding the GOCDC property between Route 20 and West 32nd Street and Lake and West avenues as a 1.78 square mile “Circle of Faith,” he said.Thomas said the organization hopes to partner with local and federal government, community leaders and volunteers to tear down 40 vacant homes in the area. He said he hopes to expand the operation by getting more people on board.Vincent E. Harris Jr., of Ashtabula, said he came to help improve the city by improving the appearance of the Route 20 area.“Volunteerism can be offered in many different ways,” Thomas said.A second group gathered at West 58th Street Park to clean up the community early on Saturday afternoon.My Neighborhood formed in late summer of 2011 as a collaborative effort between Community Action, St. Peter’s Church, Catholic Charities and Imagine Ashtabula/ADDA.The group has been sponsoring regular neighborhood improvement projects and creating family social events as well.Approximately 20 people gathered at the park to fan out through a five-block radius to pick up garbage and compost materials along the street.“Our plan is to literally comb the streets north to St. Peter’s Church,” said group president Jeff Scribben while speaking to the volunteers.He instructed participants to put garbage in yellow bags and compost materials in brown bags to be picked up by a truck following the brigade of citizens.
ASHTABULA — G.O. Community Development Corporation, is looking for people or businesses to help the cause by joining the 120 Club with a donation of $1,000.The goal is to reach a membership of at least 120.The money will help guarantee G.O. Community Development Corporation, the money needed to continue and expand their current community outreach programs, which include:n Serving more than 25,000 meals to annually to needy families in Ashtabula County;n Serving hot meals 4-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;n A food pantry;n Classes in gardening and sewing;n Providing formula and diapers to children, andn an annual Christmas party for children, and more.With the purchase of the Thurgood Marshal Elementary School in 2011, G.O. Community Development Corporation,expanded its offerings to area youth. The gymnasium is available after school and for summer programs, and outdoor activities are planned in the summer.G.O. Community Development Corporation,is in need of clothing for all ages, baby supplies, food donations, groceries, egg cartons, computers, lawn equipment and sewing machines.No donation is too big or too small.Anyone who like to become a member of the 120 Club or make a monetary donation, can make checks payable to G.O. Community Development Corp. and mail to P.O. Box 1173, Ashtabula, OH 44005.Clothing and food donations may be dropped off at the north door of G.O. Ministries, 3703 Station Ave., Ashtabula.For more information, contact Drew Thomas at 216-780-3845 or members of the committee Martin Cole 293-7605, Bill Herzog 998-4444, Bob Heigfield 576-2265, Tom Fleming 576-4055, Marybeth Nassief 576-1010, J.P. Ducro IV 992-2191 or John Rocco 813-3004.
Our new board members have been announced
Shae Ballard
Donald Ballard
Mary Richardson
Samuel Richardson
Joanna Nijuang
Frances Norman
Jacques Chapman
Drew Thomas
Jewel Chappell
Isaiah Salters
John Salters
Mae Salters
Olajuwan Smith
Deborah Bax
Raymond Jones
The Rev. John Salters pumped up the crowd to kick off the musical portion of the G.O. Ministries Christmas party on Saturday afternoon. The party included a full meal, gifts, fellowship and a reminder that the Christmas season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Salters, executive director of G.O. Ministries, said the organization has done some kind of Christmas celebration for the last 18 years, but it has grown each year. Eventually Salters got more than a dozen children on stage to sing Christmas carols as more than 300 people in the ministry gymnasium sang along.“I do it every year. I think it is wonderful,” said Ashtabula resident Donna Miller of the annual Christmas party.“It’s nice. I’ve been here many times,” said Rosie Miller. She said she enjoys making new friends and keeping the old ones.Samiya Harris, 15, volunteered her time to help feed all the guests. She said she wanted to help people out during this holiday season.“It’s wonderful. We have an enthusiastic crowd. A bunch of kids with big eyes and expectations,” said Salters before kicking the party into full gear. Salters also reminded the children that the reason for the celebration was the birth of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago. He said the children were each going to receive two or three gifts each and parents were to receive a present as well.“Just celebrating Christmas with everyone. It is just fun to see the kids,” said Devon Crockett before playing the piano for the band.“I love it. I think it is great that the community gets together to do this,” said Mary Ann Schweitzer while wearing a Santa hat and belting out a tune.
