Friday night family dance July 11! Reserve now for family picnic/concert July 14!
Blogging Some News
25-26 City of Toledo Parks and Youth Award- 5th Year!
Friendship Park Community Center was thrilled to learn we were again awarded a grant from the City of Toledo Parks and Youth for youth-oriented events during the 2025 summer and the 2025-2026 school year! Thank-you to the project leader, Joyce Ejhinger, and grant writer Debbie Fritz, who, along with a committee of volunteers and the officers, planned another year of events the City wished to sponsor. And, we were awarded an additional $2,500 dollars over our request as an acknowledgment of the good work we do planning and reporting on these events for our community, which shows their appreciation by attending the fun events! We appreciate all of the volunteers who help with the events. That shows the City we deserve their support. Please consider stepping up to help with an event. And, plan to bring the kids and enjoy!
2025 FPCC Officers Elected!
At the December board meeting, officers for 2025 were elected and six board members, whose 3 year term had expired or were new, were elected to the board. Officers are President: John Burgan; Vice President, Janet McPherson; Secretary, Kris Shawen; and Treasurer, Mary Lichtenwald. All of the officers and board members are commended for their willingness to serve and for their work to meet the administrative needs of our Center.
Caroling at the Park annual event a success!
Sunday evening, December 8, Friendship Park Community Center hosted the 29th Annual Caroling in the Park. Washington Township Fire Department's Polar Express delivered Santa & Mrs Clause. Behind them was the Point & Shoreland Christmas Float who delivered the Grinch. The weather was mild and the children had fun playing in the fake snow coming off of the Polar Express. Inside over 100 children visited Mr and Mrs Clause. Their elves helped the children select a Christmas gift. While hot chocolate and cookies were being served by the wonderful volunteers, the Central Catholic High School Alumni Glee Club & Friends entertained with songs of the season. That sneaky Grinch was up to shenanigans all night long, bringing smiles to the face of young and old. It was a full house with over 300 attending. Thank you to Friendship Park Community Center and The City of Toledo, who helped fund the event with a Grant from Parks & Youth Services. A special Thank-you to all who helped decorate, shop, set up, donate, serve and clean up. This would not be possible without all the awesome volunteers. Thank-you Rick Phillips, Jeffrey & Tamara L. Mentel for delivering the Holiday Joy. To all the volunteers, thank-you: Carol & Jim Smith, Patricia Orban Brzuchalski, Winona Anderson, Ray Worman, Steve & Tammy Toda, Sally Melle, John Burgan, Mary Rectenwald, Carol McDole, Christine Franks, Tammy Browning, Matha Majewski, Janice Flahiff, Amalia Horvath, Theresa Morris, April Hoffman, Linda Hoffman, Debbie Fritz, and Fran Rowe. Thank-you also to our Student Leadership Program volunteers; Sophia Marten, Ethan and Owen Phillips.
FPCC Christmas Lunch attended by 64 people!
Thursday, December 12 we had an awesome holiday lunch at Friendship Park Community Center. The lunch was open to all but hosted by the Veteran's Lunch & AARP groups. 64 people attended and we had a delicious catered lunch from Gerths Beef & Deli. We also had wonderful desserts from Costco. We were entertained by Denise Szkatulski & Bonnie Weber on their accordions. We sang Christmas carols and a few even danced the polka. Unfortunately no one took pictures. We had a generous 50/50 drawing. Gloria Godwin won $100 from the 50/50. Money goes to offset cost of the desserts and poinsettias that were door prizes. Thank-you to all that helped: Jim & Patricia Orban Brzuchalski, Carol & Jim Smith, Steve & Tammy Toda, Ray Worman, Terri & Jim Smith, Marylyn Lucas, Carol McDole, Kelly, Mary Rectenwald, Janet Mac, Jim Semenovich and John Burgan.
Giving Tuesday Goal Met and Beyond!
We are thrilled to report we had 21 friends donate $1,700 to our Giving Tuesday campaign. And we always hope there are still checks on the way. Thank-you to all who so generously thought of FPCC during the giving season. We needed $1,020 to fund the monthly delivery of our Seagate Center Senior Food Boxes distributed at Friendship Park Community Center. Our volunteer board members were happy to start a monthly supply, making it easy and convenient for our local seniors. Did you know we give out about 40 /month and that they weigh about 40 lb each? Well, we didn’t know we would have that many either! If you could quality please apply for one. The rest of the donation will fund the needs we have to continue staffing our Center and providing the programs and events we offer. We ask for and need such donations all year long.
Kid's BINGO lots of fun!
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Friendship Park Community Center hosted Kid's BINGO for school aged children from kindergarten through 8th grade. Doors opened at 12:30pm and BINGO fun ran from from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Children were accompanied by an adult and filled the room hoping to be able to call BINGO! Great toys and games were awarded as prizes, generously donated by Jim Semenovich. This was a free event. Snacks and refreshments were served. No registration was necessary. The next Kid's BINGO event will be in October!
Solar Eclipse Party an Amazing Success!
Friendship Park Community Center, organized by the Student Leadership Program (SLP) hosted a Solar Eclipse Party on Monday, April 8 from 1:30pm to 4:30 pm.
The public was invited and 100 viewing glasses were purchased for free use during the party. Food (hot dogs, etc.), activities, games, videos, materials, etc. were available. Indoor, via a video screen feed and outdoor viewing was available. The indoor area was filled and also the park was filled with people enjoying the amazing opportunity to enjoy an event of a lifetime together. Many parties were held in the area and the surrounding streets were jammed with cars all afternoon and through the evening.
This free family event was made possible by the grant from The City of Toledo Parks and Youth Services.
Don't Forget to Check out our monthly Newsletter!
At the beginning of each month, look on our Newsletter page of this web site for news of the past month and news of upcoming events. Want to get the newsletter by email and support our Friendship Park Community Center? Donate the membership fee. Viewing it here is free to all. You can also pick up a free copy at the Center (but remember, printing, especially in color, is not free. Donations are much appreciated!) We hope you appreciate and enjoy the work that goes in to getting that newspaper ready for you to enjoy each month.
Enchilada Fundraiser Dinner a Huge Success!
Our Mexican Heritage Enchilada Fundraiser Dinner was a huge success! Thanks to all the generous donations, organizing skill, and food cooking skills by our benefactor, Lillian Katko, the dinner generated almost $2,000! It was held at Friendship Park Community Center on January 26 (after being postponed for a week due to the cold/snow). Dinners were be served from 5-7pm and the El Corazon de Mexico dancers performed at 7 pm. Dinner tickets were $12 if reserved and paid in advance and $15 if reserved and paid at the door. Kids were $6. Enchiladas, rice and beans were served. A free dessert was available. Extra donations were obtained via $10 raffle tickets to win a 50" TV., a 50/50 raffle, and prize raffles. To all who supported this fundraiser, including the volunteers we always need and rely on to conduct an event, THANK-YOU! And congratulations to those who won the raffles and prizes.
2024 Officers Elected!
At the December board meeting, officers for 2024 were elected and one board member, whose 3 year term had expired, was reelected to the board. All four 2023 officers committed to remain for 2024 and were reelected to their offices by the board. They are President: John Burgan; Vice President, Joyce Ejhinger; Secretary, Kris Shawen; and Treasurer, Debbie Fritz. The board is grateful for their service during 2023 and willingness to continue to serve in 2024. All of the board members are commended for their service and their work for the administrative needs of our Center.
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!