Blogging Some News
Kids BINGO Fun!
On Saturday, August 5th from 1 - 2:30 pm 27 kids accompanied by 26 adults enjoyed Kids' BINGO. This was a free event for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. A boatload of toys and games were awarded as prizes, very generously provided courtesy of Jim Semenovich, who states he "loves buying toys for kids." His grandkids were there of course! Cupcakes, ice cream and refreshments were served. The event was the second of its kind and Jim says expect the next in the spring around April. Mark your calendars, kids!
City of Toledo Parks and Youth Grant Award!
We are thrilled to be awarded a City of Toledo Parks and Youth grant for the third grant cycle during the 2023 summer and 2023-2024 school year. We have funding to continue our monthly Student Leadership sessions, three Family Fun Dance/Craft Evenings, an outdoor concert with the Toledo School for the Arts Steel Drum Band, and an outdoor Family Fun Day on a Saturday afternoon, Stay tuned for the dates and announcements!
Newsletter Restarted!
Our newsletter, which ended with the pandemic has been restarted! Members with an email address will receive their lovely color copy via email. Become a member and get a newsletter. We appreciate all who read the newsletter online versus picking up a printed copy. We pay for printing on our leased printer/copier, more for color, and try to keep our expenses low. The newsletter is available on this web site. Check out the Newsletter page.
Our Valentines Family Fun Dance/Craft Evening was such a success!
The registration/evaluation forms we asked our participants to kindly complete indicated we had 86 adults and 60 children attend our first of three dance/craft evenings on February 10, 2023. The dance floor and the children's craft room were busy all night. Kids, parents, adults, grandparents, seniors - all were having a blast. Lots of fun photos at the photo wall, lots of goodies to eat, including cookies decorated by the children, and lots of crafts and coloring pages completed. Two more coming up. We hope to fill our rooms again! Check out our Wish List page for needed volunteers.
New Wish List Page!
Check our our new Wish List page. We have some immediate needs and some anytime needs.
Thank-you!
From Joyce Ejhinger, Vice President:
Thank-you to our wonderful volunteers and the City of Toledo workers for the repairs and clean up at Friendship Park Community Center...🤗
If you recall, on Christmas weekend our Center had pipes that froze and burst, spilling water by the front door and in our storage room. We are thankful to the City for getting the broken pipes repaired right away. We only had to be closed two days. They were wonderful repairing the areas and doing clean up. The workers were knowledgeable, kind, considerate and friendly.
Also a big thank- you to the 8 volunteers who spent several hours of their time sorting and reboxing all the contents of the storage room. They also took down all the Christmas decorations and put them away. The storage room looks great.
Thank-you: Carol & Jim Smith, Steve & Tammy Toda, Fran Rowe, Amalia Horvath, Jim Semenovich and Bob Placencio. They were asked for help and they responded... 🤗❤️
FPCC is run by wonderful volunteers. We have one paid employee, Carol McDole, who is always there and takes care of the senior lunch program. She keeps the sign in sheets up to date for all the activities. She helps set up for events and keeps the Center clean with the help of Candice Hussen. Carol also has a volunteer (Bob) who, wanting to give back to our community, comes in once a week to wet mop all the floors. We have an all volunteer board of trustees who provide the leadership to plan activities for the center, including officers who put in a lot to time to make sure our Center is well run. The events are fun and entertaining but include clean up and some heavy lifting. Many thanks to all!
Caroling in the Park enjoyed by over 200!
On Saturday, December 4, free cookies, hot chocolate, crafts, pictures with Santa, a toy for each child, and singing carols made for a memorable evening at Friendship Park Community Center. A fun way to end an evening after watching the lighting of the Christmas tree, crowning of the 2023 Miss Point Place, and a Christmas parade down Summit St. Many volunteers contributed to this free community event. Volunteers are gold. Want to be a part of future feel good events? Volunteer!
December 3rd Craft Show was amazing!
There were 21 crafters and all were pleased with the number of people who attended and purchased items. The bake sale sold all the goodies, the sloppy job lunch was well received, and the 50/50 raffle was a good fundraiser. Thanks to all who participated!
Thank-you to our Giving Tuesday donors. $1250 was donated!
#GivingTuesday™ is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 29, 2022, charities such as Friendship Park Community Center hope that generous-minded community citizens will choose to donate. During the 2021 event FPCC received $1075 in donations and for the 2022 day of giving a donation goal of $1500 was set. The funds will be dedicated to the free monthly Veterans Lunches as well as other activities at the Center. You can join that spirit of giving anytime. Mail a check addressed to Friendship Park Community Center with the memo “Giving Tuesday” to P.O. Box 5325, Toledo, OH 43611 or go the Center and drop off your check at 131stStreet, Toledo, OH.
Clement C. Cybulski, Jr., FPCC President 2010 - 2022 Honored!
On October 20, 2022, over 70 people from the Point Place/Shoreland community as well as family, friends, and supporters far and wide came to honor Clement and show appreciation for his many years as President of Friendship Park Community Center. In his honor, a plaque was designed for the Center listing all presidents, of which there has only been three, and their years of service. Come to the Center to view the plaque and feel free to leave a note or a card for Clement. He is no longer president but will still be seen regularly volunteering and enjoying the activities at our community center.
It was a very informative meeting and good food!
Friendship Park Community Center combined the August Veterans and AARP meetings on Thursday, August 25. Lunch was provided by Kingston of Sylvania and Friendship Park Community Center. The guest speaker was Marcy Kaptur, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 9th Congressional District. She addressed news about veterans, senior affairs, and Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. Over 80 people attended.
Thank-you to our Summer Event participants! Raffle winners!
A thank-you to all who attended our 8 Summer Youth & Family Events co-sponsored by Friendship Park Community Center and the City of Toledo Park & Youth Services. We were sorry to see them end but stay tuned... we hope to have more events in the future.
As a thank-you to those who took the time to complete the registration/evaluation form we gave out raffle tickets at each event. During the intermission of our last event, our outdoor Jazz Concert in our park, we held the drawing. Six gift cards were given out.
The winners were:
1- House of Meats $20: Bill & Mary Decker *
2- Kroger $10: Kelly Bowman
3- Kroger $10: Becky (No last name on ticket. )
4- McDonald's $5: Sue *
5- McDonald's $5: Noreen Push
6- Dollar Tree $5: Amber Tyson
*Bill & Mary Decker and Sue were at the concert and received their gift cards.... All others have been contacted by phone except Amber Tuson. No phone number. If anyone knows Amber or any of the other winners, have them call the Center to get delivery of their gift cards.
Last Summer Eve "Family Town Dance" Enjoyed by All!
Friendship Park Community Center in partnership with the City of Toledo hosted a family Sumer Fun Dance with a Hawaiian theme on Friday, August 12.
A good time was had by all.
Thank You to All the wonderful Volunteers and all that Attended... (Toddlers to Seniors.)
Thank you to the City of Toledo Parks & Youth Services, Ken Deejay Casey-Campbell our DJ, Trish Stanley Misch of Big Balloon Creations for the Awesome Decorations and Dorothy & Joe at Marco's Pizza for generous discount on our Pizza.
Thanks to the Volunteers.
We cannot do these events without you... (If your name is missing, please contact us to be added!
Fran Rowe
Carol McDole
Karen Linder
Jeff Cohen
Cay Renne, her daughters and friend Tara
Steve & Tammy
Cheryl Johnson
Ray and Karen Worman
Pat Brzuchalski
Kris Shawen
Janet Mac
Martha
Ehan & Owen Phillips, their Dad and Little Sister
Ella Webb
Zoe
Mary Jo Dotson
Candice
Theresa Morris
Michael Schmitz
Thank You All!
Awesome Steel Drum Concert Enjoyed by Almost 200!
On June 25 Friendship Park Community Center (FPCC) in partnership with City of Toledo hosted a "Concert in the Park." "It was a great night to have the park filled with people of all ages enjoying great music" said Joyce Ejhinger, the event organizer. Close 200 people of all ages came out on a beautiful night to enjoy a wonderful music by Glass City Steel., a steel drum group from Toledo School for the Arts (TSA). They were an amazing group of talented high school students. The night also featured a fun Island Bounce House & Slide from Glass City Moonwalk Rentals for the kids.
Close to 200 hot dogs, chips & pop/water were served for free before the concert. This was all made possible by a Grant from City of Toledo Park & Youth Services.
It was also made.possible by the wonderful volunteers from FPCC and the community:
-Joyce Ejhinger, FPCC Vice President & Event Organizer
-Debbie Fritz, FPCC Treasurer & Assistant Coordinator
-Clement Cybulski, FPCC President
VOLUNTEERS:
Carol & Jim Smith
Lillian Martinez Katko
Jim Semonovich
Terrie & Jim Smith
Steve & Tammy Toda
Amalia Horvath
Aubrey & Ethan Phillips
Jeff Cohen &
Leo Hayden
The next "Concert in the Park" will be Monday, August 15 at Friendship Park Community Center at 7 PM. The concert will feature a Jazz Group from TSA, the Krueger-Benson Jazz Trio.
There will be something special for the children before the concert and free food & refreshments TBA.
Hope to see you counted in July!
We had at least 775 people walk through our doors in June to attend one of our regular events; many counted more than once for multiple events. LIkely we missed some sign-ins. At least 243times, seniors came in to eat or pick up a lunch. We hope you will be among the counted in July!
Family Fun Summer Days - A Memory!
Our second and last of two Family Summer Fun Days was held July 16. We had least 60 kids and 45 adults and they all had great fun! Parents commented that they liked being outside with a event the kids could enjoy as a family. We so appreciated the volunteers who showed up to help, some at the last minute, and some just stayed after play to help clean up. Thank-you valued friends! Please consider offering an hour or so of your help for future events. Call the Center or call Joyce Ejhinger at jejhinger@aol.com or 419-320-9979 to volunteer your help. So needed, so appreciated!
Family Fun Evening-A Blast!
Our first of two Family Summer Fun Evenings was held July 8. We had at least 85 adults and 50 kids attend and it was a blast! Lots of dancing and the hotdogs and ice cream were a definite hit. Kids loved the Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey, Cupid Shuffle, Limbo contest, etc. Lots of line dancing. Be sure to mark your calendar and come to our next one on August 12. Don't miss out on the fun! Now, we managed with the volunteers we had but could have used more help preparing crafts for kits before the event. Please consider offering an hour or so of your help. Call the Center or call Joyce Ejhinger at jejhinger@aol.com or 419-320-9979 to volunteer your help. So needed, so appreciated!
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
The first of two tournament evenings sponsored by the City of Toledo Parks and Youth and our Friendship Park Community Center was held as scheduled on June 30, 2022. There were 17 youths in attendance, all young male teens ages 13-17. They had great fun playing in some light competition and enjoyed the snacks and fluids to stay hydrated as well as the free soft blue T-shirts. Check out the Friendship Park Community Center Facebook page for some pictures. If you know of any kids ages 13-17 who would enjoy a fun time of youth basketball, call the Center to get them signed up for the next tournament on July 28! No need to sign up as a team as all kids will be put together in groups of 3 for the play, however, friends can play on the same team if they like.
City of Toledo Parks and Youth Grant Awards
Friendship Park Community Center was awarded 4 of 102 grants for youth activities to be conducted throughout the city this summer. Go to toledo.oh.gov/summer for the list of all events. Booklets listing the events can also be picked up from Friendship Park Community Center as well as a flyer listing the events being conducted by our Center. Our events are targeted to families to enjoy with their children. They are completely free and include free snacks and drinks. Please join us!
Volunteers Needed
If you find you can help somehow, please contact Joyce Ejhinger at jejhinger@aol.com or 419-320-9979. We have several family events scheduled at our Center and the park this summer. The next ones are July 16, 29, and August 12. Volunteers are needed to help with crafts and other outdoor activities. It is lots of fun helping families and kids. Come join the fun as a volunteer!
Pie, Cake, Cookie Contest June 22
We had some lovely desserts and some happy people who won prizes. Around 40 people filled the room enjoying the judging, the winner announcements, and tasting the submissions at $1 for a piece. It was an artful fun fundraiser! Check out the Point/Shoreland Journal to see more details, pictures, and recipes.
Summer Fun Day June 25
We had almost 200 kids and adults come and check out the activities at our first City of Toledo Parks and Youth sponsored event. Evaluations by those who completed the short paper indicated 100% enjoyment. (And they earned a raffle ticket for end of the summer prizes to be handed out as well as a candy bar.) The line for the climbing wall turned out to be pretty short with little wait time. The volunteers loved the playtimes with the kids. Do come to our next one on July 16 which will include a bicycle obstacle course! Ooo, fun!
Fall 2022 Fundraiser Raffle
The 300 available tickets are going fast. Don't miss out. Check the Events page for details.
Individual Memberships
We reached our goal of 100 Individual Members in June and numbers are climbing. Now we need all members, when notified, to renew! Memberships are good for 12 months and we are grateful for all who have donated the $25. Haven't donated yet? We would love to YOU to be a member, too!
Newest Corporate Member
Our newest Corporate Member is Scott Wood, State Farm Insurance. Thank-you! Our goal is at least 20 Corporate Members and this membership gets us to 15. Know a business that can support us at the $100 Corporate Member rate? Do ask them to become a member!