For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts are sharing their favorite Christmas memories.
The Morning Thing Friday Favorites 12/20/24
Looking for a yummy dessert for your family gathering? The Morning Thing has some recipes to share!
We found a list of top-rated Christmas dessert recipes that your guests and family will LOVE!
Click HERE for 25 different ideas from AllRecipes.com
Here are the ones that Marcy shared this morning on the show:
Interchurch Social Service Annual Wreath Auction Returns To Benefit Food For The Hungry
Sheryl O’Neill with the Centerburg Branch of Interchurch Social Services and Cindy Martin, the Danville Branch Manager for Interchurch Social Services talk about the return of the silent wreath auction in their towns!
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
They say the wreaths can be seen at the Centerburg and Danville Branches of Park National Bank during regular business hours and on Facebook. Bids can be placed at the branch. The auction ends Friday and arrangements for payment and pickup will be addressed at that time.
Donations raised will be used to purchase food through the Mid Ohio Food Collective.
For more information on the Centerburg Wreath Auction, click HERE.
For more information on the Danville Wreath Auction, click HERE.
Interchurch Social Services Branches talk about Food For The Hungry and their needs
Interchurch Social Service Branches in Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown Are Gearing Up for Food For The Hungry!
Click HERE for all three conversations!
Sheryl O’Neil with the Centerburg Branch, Cindy Martin in Danville, and Katie Frazier in Fredericktown all talk about their time with Interchurch Social Services and the Food For the Hungry. They talk about their needs including what to donate and how they can turn $1 in $4.56 worth of food through the Mid Ohio Collective.
They also explain how monetary donations also benefit people with uncommon needs such as avoiding utility cutoff and eviction.
Jacob Doup with WRP CPAs talks about donating to Food For The Hungry
Jacob Doup with WRP CPAs talks about 2024 Food For The Hungry.
Click HERE for the full conversation.
Jacob about the services WRP CPAs provides to Food For the Hungry including bookkeeping and keeping track of donations.
Jacob says that wages have not keep with the economy and more people are struggling. He talks about how donations for Food for the Hungry can equate to an enormous buying power at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
Jacob details the different ways people can donate to Food For The Hungry including the checkpoints around Knox County, online, through Venmo, during drive day and by calling (740) 397-9084.
Click HERE to make a donation.
The Salvation Army is serving the community with the help of Food For The Hungry
Captain Christine Moretz and Cadet Jalicia Smalley from the Mount Vernon Salvation Army discuss the tough economic times and their reliance on the community and Food For The Hungry for support.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Christine notes that the economy is bringing more families in need, especially during the holidays. Jalicia reports serving 900 households, totaling over 3,100 people, with 199 new households included. Nearly $20,000 went to utility and rental aid. In 2024, 846 households, about 3,000 people, received over $20,000 in utility and rental assistance with a few weeks remaining. Christine notes that community donations, especially during Food For The Hungry, help them make things happen. Over 700 kids applied for Christmas Assistance this year. She adds how you can donate or volunteer to make a difference.
You can make a donation HERE
Food For The Hungry benefits Knox County’s Interchurch Social Services
Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director of Knox County Interchurch Social Services stopped by WNZR to talk about how Food For The Hungry impacts her
county-wide ministry.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
She shared some eye-opening stats. She shared how the changes in the economy have impacted her clients.
Carolyn says the number of families who used their service in 2023 was just over 5,300. She says in 2024 they have serves over 7,500 families.
2024 stats of residents served: (these numbers are rounded)
- Almost 3,000 seniors (60 & older)
- over 9,000 adults and 6,100 children used their services totaling over 18,000 Knox County residents.
NOTE: According to the US Census Bureau, Knox County has just over 63,000 residents.
Interchurch provided over 164,000 meals in 2024 - Interchurch provided over 164,000 meals in 2024.
Carolyn shared that the biggest needs for the organization and a Top 10 list of needs for the food pantries.
Carolyn talked about two big goals for 2025: to open the Centerburg location and create a school pantry program in every school in Knox County.
Fire and Ice is back for 2024 to benefit Food For The Hungry
David Heithaus, Director of the Knox County Park District visited with The Morning Thing to talk about the exciting event Fire and Ice.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
This event is a benefit for the Food For The Hungry Drive.
You and your family can enjoy over 600 luminarias at Honey Run Waterfall this Saturday, 12/14 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm.
Please park at the Millwood Church of Christ, 10900 Millersburg Road in Howard. They will shuttle you to the waterfall area.
The Knox County Park District is asking that you bring a donation to Food For The Hungry. Both non-perishable food items and money will be accepted.
Don’t miss this amazing holiday event that helps families right here in Knox County!
WNZR presents the December 2024 MVNU Presidential Update
MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR for our monthly MVNU Update.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Dr. Castleman shared his thoughts about fall semester at MVNU and plans for 2025.
We covered many topics including:
- Enrollment numbers for Spring 2025
- Top priorities for 2025
- Fundraising campaign updates for the Chapel Project and the “On Deck Campaign” for MVNU Baseball
- How giving to MVNU changes lives
- Exciting events coming to MVNU in 2025
- Dr. Carson Castleman highlights some exciting events coming up on his calendar and the MVNU calendar, including several trips for the Castleman family.
- He shares special Christmas messages for MVNU students, faculty and staff.
- He also shares how we can pray for MVNU and his family in the month of December.
Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.
The 24th Annual Fredericktown Christmas Walk is Saturday 12/7!
The Morning Thing featured several special guests this week as we prepare to go to the 24th Annual Fredericktown Christmas Walk.
Click HERE to hear the conversations.
We talked with committee members about this fun event for families.
They shared schedule updates, event highlights, how long they have been involved and what they are looking forward to experience at this year’s event.
The Walk benefits the Salvation Army and Interchurch Social Services in Fredericktown, along with the Fredericktown Community Relief Fund.
Enjoy the conversation with:
Robin McClay – entertainment and the scrumptious live auction
Jamie Sanders – NEW Christmas Tree Trimming Contest
Carolyn Fergus – ornaments and inflatables
Joely Lepley – Committee Chair, schedule highlights
Cecelia McClelland – arts and craft vendor at the Presbyterian Church
Ellen Hoam – Santa’s visit, good places to park and how to get involved with the event
For full details Click HERE for their Facebook page.
Rise and Shine 