Ottawa County Community Foundation Trustee Tina Hablitzel (right), and her husband Mark, display clothing donations for OCCF’s “Ottawa County Bundle Up” cold-weather clothing drive being held the entire month of November. Bundle Up will lead to a community OCCF Open House event on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29. Visit ottawaccf.org for details. (Photo by Brenda Haas)

BY BRENDA HAAS

The Ottawa County Bundle Up, a cold-weather clothing drive held in November by the Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF), will provide a little warmth and neighborly support for students and families in need.

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 1, the Foundation is seeking donations of coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, hoodies, sweatpants, bagged socks and bagged underwear. Because of the special nature of OC Bundle Up, please respect that only new clothing will be accepted by OCCF for this clothing drive.

Ottawa County public libraries have offered to serve as donation drop-off locations for this collaborative, countywide project. Donations, for any age, must be in their original packaging or still tagged and will be given to public school counselors and nurses for need-based distribution. Excess items will be filtered through other community groups.

“Our district has been blessed over the years to work with OCCF on numerous projects that support the mission of Benton-Carroll-Salem Local Schools,” said Supt. Guy Parmigian. “The cold-weather clothing drive is another prime example of this tremendous partnership providing critical, direct benefits to our students.

“Over the past several years, we have seen an increased demand for resources like these in our community and are grateful for OCCF’s efforts to meet the need across the county.”

New clothing donations may be dropped off at Ida Rupp Public Library locations (Port Clinton, Marblehead and Put-in-Bay), Harris-Elmore Public Library locations (Elmore and Genoa) and the Oak Harbor Public Library, during normal business hours.

Teen Librarian at Ida Rupp Public Library, Alana Magrum readies a box for clothing donations. All Ottawa County libraries are partnering with OCCF as donation drop-off locations during normal business hours. (Photo by Brenda Haas)

Items will also be accepted at OCCF, 306 Madison St., Port Clinton, any Wednesday in November, from noon–3 p.m.

“We are delighted to partner with our libraries and school districts to address clothing needs in the area,” said OCCF Director Shea McGrew. “We anticipate a tremendous response, because Ottawa County residents and businesses have long proven to be remarkably generous.”

The Bundle Up project will culminate with a Giving Tuesday Open House, a free holiday event on Nov. 29, from 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., at the OCCF office. Meet OCCF Trustees and enjoy refreshments, Magician Greg Carson, caroling and a Port Clinton Fire & Rescue “Touch-a-Truck” opportunity to take a peek inside a fire engine or ambulance.

An Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department cruiser and canine unit will also be present. Clothing donations will be accepted, and additional Giving Tuesday activities are planned at the Ida Rupp Public Library, located directly next door.

In tandem with the open house, OCCF will hold an online Silent Auction Fundraiser from Nov. 15–30. Featured will be a CIC Golf/Lunch package, 1812 Private Wine Dinner package, and other generous donations from Ottawa County businesses.

For Giving Tuesday details and an auction link, visit ottawaccf.org. Questions may be directed to 412-736-0210, brendahaas@live.com.

Established in 1999, OCCF provides a steady support system for nonprofit organizations across Ottawa County and individuals, families, businesses and other entities wishing to help community neighbors via grant making and student scholarships. An affiliate of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, it has approximately $11 million in assets, while administering more than 100 locally-grown funds benefiting the fields of education, health and social services, economic development, natural resources and the arts. The Foundation has distributed more than $6 million in community grants and scholarships, since its inception. Call 419-635-7750 or email ottawaccf@gmail.com.