Donating is Rewarding in more ways than one

I've heard recently that there are over 13 million children who cannot afford basic school supplies. When kids do not have the tools to succeed in school, it is hard for them to learn how to succeed in life. It creates a vicious cycle that is hard to break out of.

What is even more depressing is that this problem exists right here in Massillon. It's in our own backyard, not just the big inner city neighborhoods. I know the poor economy has hit our area especially hard in the last few years and times just keep on getting tougher. We could all use a little help sometimes and here's a call out to those who can afford to help.

The Massillon Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting the donation of school supplies. Anyone who brings in two new school supplies between 1-5 pm through August 20 will get to swim for half price in the Massillon Recreation Center Pool. It's our way to give back to those who are out there helping others.

Even if you are not interested in swimming, we encourage you to donate school supplies anyway. Everything we collect will be donated to local schools, helping local students, local families and ultimately local community and economy. Although the half price promotion only lasts through Friday, we are accepting donations through the end of the weekend. Next week we will be taking the donated supplies to local schools.

Books Abound!

I don't know about you, but I am an avid reader. My favorite thing to do on my lunch break is go to the park, sit by the water and read a book. I don't read anything really worthwhile; it's more for entertainment. But given the chance, I would rather sit and read a book than watch TV.

I only read about 2 books a month, but I usually buy them and that can get pretty pricey. And I always wonder what to do with the books when I'm done since I'm not one to go back and re-read them. That's what originally gave me the idea to host a Community Book Swap at the Massillon Recreation Center. I figured I couldn't be the only one who thought that.

Turns out, I was right! We hosted our first book swap in September and collected 1244 books. Everyone who came wanted to know when we were doing another one. Spring is the perfect time so you can stock up on things to read for the summer. We have already surpassed the number of books brought in for the last book swap.

My office is almost overflowing!

We have romance novels, children's books, adult fiction and nonfiction, cook books, self-help books and almost anything else you can imagine. You can drop off your books for vouchers at the Massillon Recreation Center for the rest of the day today. Then on Thursday, you can come back and redeem your vouchers for new books. If you find more than you donated, you can also purchase books for 50 cents.

We'll definitely be hosting another book swap in September, so keep your eyes out for it!

A new use for Cardboard

Massillon is about 48 years behind the times...when it comes to building boats out of cardboard and packing tape, that is. But that's all about to end this year as we host our first ever Cardboard Boat Race in the pool at the Massillon Recreation Center on Friday, May 21.

I was just back in the Lifeguard Office helping the lifeguards here build a boat they plan to enter in the race and it's hilarious! The goal of the race is to build a boat that can keep you and a friend afloat during a speed test and buoyancy endurance challenge. Ages 7 and up can compete for prizes in categories like Red Hot Boat, Best In Show, Pride of the Fleet, Last Boat Standing and my personal favorite the Titanic Award for the most dramatic sinking! I think this is going to be the most fun I have ever had in the aquatics center!

The first cardboard boat race on record took place in 1962 in the design department at Southern Illinois University. Students built boats and had to sail them across a local lake as part of their design grade. You can click here to see how these college students built theirs, ask our lifeguards for tips and tricks or come up with your own design. Rules are available here. 

Students Make Massillon Beautiful

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of organizing and attending one of my favorite events: The Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony. This event means a lot to me because so many people get together to make a difference. It involves the cooperation of the Mayor, Parks and Recreation Department, the local schools and local businesses like Moyer's Nursery and Landscaping and Little Caesar's Pizza who sponsor the program through donations.

Each year, the program teaches local 3rd grade classes about the importance of trees and the significance of Arbor Day. Then a few lucky students come out to a park and help us plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day. This year, I actually learned something, too! Did you know the first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872?

On the first Arbor Day, over 1 million trees were planted. Now, the number of trees planted is closer to 8 million. It's amazing to be a part of that. Planting a tree for our Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony also helps Massillon remain a Tree City USA for the last 11 years.

As part of the ceremony, we do a tree chant of "Grow Massillon!" as we throw dirt into the hole. I think this is a great symbol of the role trees play in our lives. As we grow and mature, trees do the same. They grow bigger and stronger and can withstand storms. The kids who helped plant this tree and the Massillon Community as a whole are the same way. Years from now, all of the students who have been involved in our Tree Planting Ceremonies over the years can return to the park their tree was planted and see how the trees have grown and reflect on how they have grown too.

As Julius Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, said "Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future."  I think he's saying trees symbolize hope for the future. Arbor day is this Friday. We did our ceremony a week early, but I hope our story inspires you to go out, plant a tree and help keep our city green and gorgeous!