H2O Starts 2011 With New Assistant Coordinator And MLK Day Of Service

The City of Lakewood’s “Help to Others” youth volunteer program is pleased to announce that Emmie Hutchison has been hired as the new Assistant Coordinator of H2O. Through a unique partnership with Lakewood Schools, the City’s Division of Youth has offered year-round volunteer opportunities for middle and high school students since 1993. As part of her responsibilities, Mrs. Hutchison will manage the City’s H2O Office at Lakewood High School. She will also assist with after school H2O programs at Garfield and Harding Middle Schools, Lakewood Catholic Academy, and H2O Summer Service Camp. Last year a total of more than 500 students participated in H2O service events.

Emmie Hutchison brings a diverse background to her new position as Assistant Coordinator of H2O. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University’s Western College Interdisciplinary Program which taught her to think critically and act collaboratively. Mrs. Hutchison is passionate about forming and strengthening community. She has lived in Lakewood for over sixteen years and loves raising her family here. She, and her husband, Dutch Evans, have four children. Three are currently enrolled in Lakewood Schools, with the youngest still at home. Emmie has devoted much of her outside time to community-building through the Lakewood Family Room and numerous school activities and organizations.

Many people will recognize Emmie Hutchison as a familiar face from her past employment throughout Lakewood. She gained valuable retail experience at locally owned Phoenix Coffee and Lion and Blue. And most recently, she spent seven, “Wonderful years as a para-professional youth services librarian at Lakewood Public Library’s main branch.” One of her favorite activities at the library was designing programs for middle school students, a definite plus for H2O’s middle school program and Summer Service Camp.

H2O is excited about the new perspective and wonderful experience that Emmie Hutchison will bring as Lakewood’s service learning program continues to evolve and expand.

CELEBRATING SERVICE

On Monday, January 17th, H2O is hosting its 2nd Annual Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King was a tremendous advocate of serving others. H2O hopes to encourage interested Lakewood high school age residents to spend a portion of Martin Luther King Day helping at one of the following sites:

• Crestmont Nursing Home – making craft projects and socializing with residents
• Lakewood Public Library  - preparing materials for storytime
• Lakewood Alive – making valentines for U.S. Soldiers serving overseas
• Lakewood childcare centers  - assisting with lessons and playtime
• Ronald McDonald House  – helping with miscellaneous house needs
• Hope Lodge – making decorations to celebrate Black History Month
• North Coast Health Ministry – collecting personal hygiene items (see details below)

Interested students need to sign up by Friday, January 14th. Registration is first come/first serve. Lakewood High students can sign up in the H2O Office outside the L-Room. Private high school residents of Lakewood may also sign up by calling Celia Dorsch at 529-6045 or Emmie Hutchison at 529-4173.

H2O “Help to Others” to collect toiletries for North Coast Health Ministry patients

North Coast Health Ministry (NCHM) is a free clinic serving the low-income uninsured on Greater Cleveland’s West Side.  Located in Lakewood, NCHM has been a bridge to better health for people in our community with no other route to health care since 1986. Many necessary hygiene items that contribute to good health are expensive luxuries NCHM patients cannot afford. Will you help H2O assist our NCHM neighbors with a donation of personal care items?  Suggested donations:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Shampoo/conditioner (travel-size is o.k.)
• Lotion
• Deodorant

H2O members will be collecting door-to-door between 10am and noon on Monday, January 17th. They plan to cover the neighborhood west of Lakewood Park between Lake Ave. and Edgewater Dr., as far as Summit Ave. Interested residents can also drop off items the week of January 10 – 17 at the following locations:

• Lakewood Division of Youth – 12900 Madison Ave.
• The H2O Office at Lakewood High School – near the L-Room off Bunts Ave.
• The Root Café, Lakewood – 15118 Detroit Ave.

This project is being conducted as part of H2O’s Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.