Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon collects Coats for Kids

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon has kicked off their annual collection – Coats for Kids. Lisa Lloyd shared the exciting news of this year’s collection with Marcy Rinehart on The Morning Thing.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

The club first started hosting this collection in 1987! This year’s goal is to collect 434 coats. If they reach that goal, they will surpass over 20,000 coats since that first collection.

They are looking for coats in all sizes. There are 30 collection points around Knox County. Gault’s Plaza Cleaners takes care of cleaning all coats. Interchurch Social Services distributes the coats throughout the county. The deadline to donate is 10/31.

Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon remains dedicated to its mission of improving the lives of children and families. For more information on how you can donate, call Lisa Lloyd at 740-392-3270, ext. 2.

2024 Kiwanis Coats for Kids Collection Points:
CENTERBURG
Centerburg Elementary: 207 South Preston Street
Centerburg Middle/High School: 3782 Columbus Road
Park National Bank: 35 West Main Street

DANVILLE
Danville Elementary/Middle School: 205 Rambo Street
Danville High School: 10 Rambo Street
Park National Bank: 4 South Market Street

FREDERICKTOWN
Fredericktown Elementary/Middle/High School: 111 Stadium Drive
Park National Bank: 137 North Main Street

GAMBIER
Gambier Child Care Center (Head Start): 119 Meadow Lane
The Peoples Bank: 103 East Wiggin Street
Wiggin Street Elementary: 207 East Wiggin Street

HOWARD
East Knox Jr./Sr. High School: 23227 Coshocton Road

MOUNT VERNON
CES Credit Union: 1215 Yauger Road & 400 West Chestnut Street
Gault’s Plaza Cleaners: Kroger Plaza, 855 Coshocton Road
Knox County Career Center: 306 Martinsburg Road
Knox County Chamber of Commerce: 501 South Main Street
Knox County Head Start (Hew Hope Early Education): 11700 Upper Gilchrist Road
Knox County Service Center: 117 East High Street
Knox Public Health: 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd
Knox Technical Center: 308 Martinsburg Road

Mount Vernon City Schools:
– Columbia Elementary: 150 Columbus Road
– Dan Emmett Elementary: 108 Mansfield Road
– East Elementary: 714 East Vine Street
– Mount Vernon High School: 300 Martinsburg Road
– Mount Vernon Middle School: 298 Martinsburg Road
– Pleasant Street Elementary: 305 East Pleasant Street
– Twin Oak Elementary: 8888 Martinsburg Road

Ohio Eastern Start Home: 1451 Gambier Road
Park National Bank: 1 South Main & 810 Coshocton Avenue
Salvation Army of Mount Vernon: 206 East Ohio Avenue
SPI Spot: 400 South Main Street
The Peoples Bank: 11423 Upper Gilchrist Road
United Way of Knox County: 305 East High Street

The Winter Sanctuary introduces a new Executive Director and big plans for 2025

Joe Springer is the new Executive Director of the Winter Sanctuary. He stopped by The Morning Thing to share some exciting news about this wonderful community outreach.
Click HERE for the full conversation.

Joe talked about how he made his way to Mount Vernon. He shared his history with the Winter Sanctuary. He has served as Operations Director and Advocate.

Joe also talked about the mission and services of the Winter Sanctuary.
The shelter opens November 1st and closes the end of April – this is a seasonal emergency shelter. The Advocacy Program runs year-round.

Joe shared the goals for the Winter Sanctuary for the 2024-2025 season. The biggest goal is to have permanent shelter for the community. They have kicked off a capital campaign for a new location and building.
Joe wants the community to know that the Winter Sanctuary is the only emergency shelter in the county. He also wants people to know that the advocacy program operates year-round. He talks about how residents here in Knox County can help them live out their mission. He also shares how people can support their ministry. Joe also shares how we can pray for him and his team at the Winter Sanctuary. They are looking for an Advocate/Volunteer Coordinator and 4 Guest Supervisors to join the team.

You can send donations to P.O. Box 421, Mount Vernon or online at https://www.thewintersanctuary.com/

Praisestock is coming this Sunday to Ariel Foundation Park

Dave Ewart, Vice Chairman of Praisestock joined The Morning Thing to talk about this year’s event.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

He shared details of the schedule including a special new grand finale at 5:45pm. All worship bands will join together for a special ending song.
Dave also shared how Praisestock will raise money for Food For The Hungry of Knox County.
Praisestock will also welcome over 20 local ministries and organizations to setup information tables at the event.
Find out more at www.praisestock.org

Here is Sunday’s schedule:
10:00am:   Welcome and Community Worship Service (led by First Church of the Nazarene Worship Team), Love Offering, Communion
11:30am:   Break
12:00pm:   First Church of the Nazarene (Mount Vernon) Worship Team
12:45pm:   Set Free Worship Team
1:45pm:   Salvation Army Worship Team
2:45pm:   Chestnut Ridge
3:45pm:   Covenant Christian Church Worship Team
4:45pm:   Trinity Church Worship Team
5:45pm:   Joint Song (All) to close event. “How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)”
6:00pm:   Closing Comments

Between performances, various Christian-based organizations in the community will be featured in an interview-style format.
Times are tentative and subject to change. Event will proceed rain or shine (but pray for “shine”)

Auctions, Cars, Motorcycles and free breakfast – it will be an exciting weekend at the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Jacob Francis, board member for the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival.
Click HERE to hear their conversation.
Jacob shared the details of several exciting events on the schedule this weekend – the Wood Auction and the Car/Motorcycle Show.
He also talked about his exciting journey from volunteer to board member.
Jacob also invited the community to a special Sunday morning breakfast being served by Set Free Ministries.

It is National Give Something Away Day. What will you do today?

This is a special day – National Give Something Away Day. This day was founded by Linda Eaton Hall-Fulcher and started as a grassroots effort because she thought of herself as a “giver”. This day began in 2015 with the idea of encouraging people to be thoughtful and generous while also helping out someone in need.

The Morning Thing shared ideas on how to celebrate and bless others with your generosity.

Click HERE to see how to bless others and the many benefits of giving.

If you would like to connect with local ministries to make a donation or to volunteer, please reach out to us at 740-392-9090.
You can also follow the Knox Network of Social Ministries on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/knoxnetworkofchristianministries

MVNU Women’s Auxiliary welcomes Sheila Walsh to the 2024 Conference

Shelia Walsh will be the speaker featured at the MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference.
She is an accomplished author, Bible Teacher, and Television host.

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle had the chance to chat with Sheila Walsh.
She shared an update of what she’s been up to in 2024. She also shares about her new book, ‘Holding On When You Want To Let Go’.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Shelia speaks about finding balance in the midst of everything she’s a part of, including speaking, writing and hosting numerous TV shows for TBN. She says that it’s important to remember that being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive, and that you have to focus on taking sabbath.

Shelia gives a small preview of what to expect at the conference this weekend.

Shelia talks about how we can pray for her and her husband Barry and their ministry.

Tickets are still available for this weekend’s conference.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for this event.
Two day tickets are $45 and one day tickets are $25.

Conference Schedule:
Friday, March 15
5:30-7:00 p.m.   Registration
7:00-9:00 p.m.   Friday Session

Saturday, March 16
8:00-9:00 a.m.    Registration
9:00 a.m.-noon   Saturday Sessions

Click HERE for more information on MVNU Women’s Auxiliary. You can become a member this weekend!

The Food For The Hungry Crew celebrates a day of giving!

On Friday, 12/8, a very large broadcast crew met and worked together to bring the 2023 Food For The Hungry Broadcast to the Knox County community.

We brought in equipment and expertise from several companies, over 25 college students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, two MVNU professors and a lot of volunteers.

The Knox Memorial and Theater buzzed with excitement as we shared check presentations, total announcements from many events and collections, and handed out 21 Winter Grants to local food initiatives. It was an incredible day!
Our current Food For The Hungry total is $263,502.08 and 11 truckloads of food!
Click HERE to listen to the crew as they share their thoughts after a 7-hour broadcast raising funds and celebrating a giving community.
The drive continues until 12/31 and you can still give at http://www.foodforthehungrycares.org
Last year, the extra donations over the 2022 goal enabled Food For The Hungry to give out $25,000 in Summer Grants to help feed kids over the summer months. Every dollar counts!
Thanks for helping us to live out the mission, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors”!

The Turkey Trot returns to Thanksgiving Morning!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?
The Morning Thing has an idea on how to make the day even better.
Come out to the annual Turkey Trot to benefit Food For The Hungry.
We talked with Scott Burgess from WeRunMV about this annual event.
When: Thanksgiving morning. Registration opens up at 8am, the race starts at 9am
Where: R.R. Hodges Chapel on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Who: Everyone is invited including canines
What to bring: Non-perishable food and dollars to benefit the Food For The Hungry campaign

Scott talks about how cash feed more. $1.00 = $4.89 of buying power at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
All donations stay here in Knox County to support families in our community.

To find out more, go to www.foodforthehungrycares.org

Today is Kick-Off Day for the 2023 Food For The Hungry Drive

Today, The Morning Thing featured a special conversation with Lisa Mazzari, FFTH Executive Director and Olivia Stern, Digital Content and Marketing Director.

The ladies shared an in-depth look at this year’s campaign.
Click HERE to hear the entire conversation or click the link below.

The topics included:

  • History of the organization and campaign
  • Dates for this year’s collection and broadcast
  • This year’s goal
  • How the legacy of giving is the true success story of Food For The Hungry
  • How this collection is really making a difference in our community.
  • Information about the Partner Board and their involvement
  • Highlights of the 2023 FFTH Event Calendar
  • How to stay connected
  • Distribution of funds
  • How FFTH is a local drive to benefit local families in Knox County
  • The impact of $1.00. In 2023, $1.00 will buy $4.89 in groceries at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective
  • How to give
  • Summer Grants
  • Winter Grants
  • Discussion about the mission of FFTH – “Working Together To Care For Our Neighbors”

If you would like to volunteer, call or text Lisa Mazzari at 740-398-0569 or
email lisam.ffth@gmail.com

Follow Food For The Hungry:
 – Facebook @Food For The Hungry Knox County
 – Instagram @ffthcares
 – Website – www.foodforthehungrycares.org

Food For The Hungry Board of Directors:
– Austin Swallow
– Jacob Doup
– Curtis Newland
– Marcy Rinehart
– Joe Rinehart
– Michelle Coscia
– Jim McLaughlin
– Lisa Lloyd
– Chelsea Porter
– Jim Riggle
– Melanie Snow
– Jared Stein

Interchurch Social Services announces exciting plans for their Centerburg Branch

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director of Knox County Interchurch Social Services.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.


Carolyn announced the exciting plans to build a new branch of Interchurch in Centerburg.
She shared the vision for the new location, her goals, and the process of deciding to build a new building. She also thanked the team that will work together on this project.
Carolyn also shared how the public can support this building project and how we can pray for the Interchurch team and ministry.

Stay connected to Interchurch on their website – https://www.interchurchknox.org/

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