Wednesday, December 14, 2022 • Vol. 15 No. 15 • FREE
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Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
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Middlef ield Help Needed to Serve Those Who Served By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand helps drop off their annual Thanksgiving food drive items at the Geauga County Veteran Food Pantry, 13211 Aquilla Road in Chardon.
While U.S. veterans have fought to protect the country and its values, many continue to fight an invisible battle at home. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service shows one in nine working-age veterans live in food-insecure households and those under 65 years of age are the most in need. The Geauga County Veteran Food Pantry, 13211 Aquilla Road in Chardon, is offering one way for the community to help area hometown heroes who are impacted. “This is the most important time of the year at GCVFP,” said pantry Director Lynn Algeri. “This is when the bulk of our yearly food donations come in. Without the generosity of the people of Geauga See Help • Page 10
O’Neill to Receive Emerald Leader Award in March Staff Report Mary Beth O’Neill has been chosen to receive the 2023 Emerald Leader Award for her dedication to community service at the Emerald Ball March 4. “Leadership Geauga runs deep in Mary Beth O’Neill’s life,” said Amy Murfello, Leadership Geauga marketing and program coordinator. “Her service to Geauga County includes serving nine years as a trustee with the Geauga Park District Foundation and she now volunteers with the Foundation for Geauga Parks, where she is the secretary, chair of the advancement committee and chair of the annual Twilight Soiree.” O’Neill and her husband, Jim, have lived in Geauga County since 1991 and she has been involved in Leadership Geauga since 2008. She worked in retail management for 25 years and received her real estate license in 2001, according to LG. “Leadership Geauga was an opportunity to get to know so much more about Geauga County, as well as many wonderful businesspeople that I may have never met other-
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Pictured from left are Matt Emrick, Geauga Leadership president, Emerald Award recipient Mary Beth O’Neill, GL program director Meredith Ashkettle and board member Alice Munn.
wise,” O’Neill said in a statement. Since 2013, she has served on the Ravenwood Mental Health Board. Her sister struggles with mental illness and her mother is involved with National Alliance on Mental Illness in Buffalo. “I am constantly amazed at the heart the people at Ravenwood have for their clients and how the
organization has grown and developed over the years to serve more people,” O’Neill said. “Mary Beth O’Neill embodies a leadership culture that we can all take lessons from,” added Matt Emrick, LG board president, in a statement. “Her wisdom comes from a lifetime of allegiance to so many nonprofit organizations. The
overwhelming number of nominations Mary Beth received for the Emerald Leader inspires us all.” To purchase tickets for the Emerald Ball, an evening of leadership recognition and philanthropy, or for information on program advertising, event sponsorships or donating a prize, call 440-286-8115 or visit leadershipgeauga.org.
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