An idea, long overdue, is taking flight in Charleston, W.Va., and a few other spots across the country.
I’m talking about a formal salute to the Rosie the Riveters who helped in the war effort by working factory jobs — locally that included rubber shops — while the men answered the call to serve in World War II. Those women are now mostly in their 80s and 90s.
Thanks! Plain and Simple Inc., a nonprofit group based in Charleston and led by executive director and founder Anne Montague, has organized the “Bluebirds for Rosies Project.” Its mission is to build and hang as many bluebird houses as possible as a way to recognize Rosie the Riveters’ contribution to history and to stimulate conversation about them.
While technically bluebird houses have nothing to do with the historic Rosies, a connection is being made. “Bluebirds represent hope, and ‘Rosies’ remember The Bluebird of Happiness as a song that gave hope during World War II,” Montague noted. It is also beneficial to the bluebird population.
The project is getting a strong assist by Cheryl Jennings-Wolford with the Charleston Gold Dome Lions Club and a grant from Volunteer West Virginia. “Creating projects that teach about Rosies is the major method that Thanks! uses to gain public awareness of the importance of Rosies to America’s past, present and future,” Montague said. “The Bluebirds for Rosies Project is one of 20 projects we have created from the Greater Kanawha Valley. Each project can be used across America, so that Americans will pull together to ‘know a Rosie and grow.’ ”
The first bluebird house was hung at the American Legion post in April in Barboursville, W.Va. When volunteers go on the road to talk about the project, whenever possible a Rosie accompanies them.
Interested in learning more about the Bluebirds for Rosies Project? Please email thanksplanandsimple@earthlink.net or call 304-776-4743 or 304-545-9818.
Gala fundraiser
The Tallmadge-based Faithful Servants Care Center is celebrating its first year in operation by hosting an inaugural gala fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 5, at NEOMED (Northeast Ohio Medical University), 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown.
The care center, brainchild of Drs. David Hoff and Sue and Mark Meyer, sprang into being because of the trio of Christian physician’s genuine commitment to caring for the sick. Their independent clinic — the only free clinic in the state dedicated to urgent care — is located in Suite F at 65 Community Road, Tallmadge.
Dr. Mark Meyer explained the genesis in a 2012 interview with Beacon Journal religion writer Colette Jenkins: “We have a burden for the increasing number of patients that we see who have lost their insurance. It pains me to see people in the United States of America not go to the doctor because they can’t pay. We have made a commitment to do what Christ would do: take care of people in need.”
His wife, Dr. Sue Meyer, agreed, adding that nearly 1.3 million Ohioans are uninsured and about 80 percent of them are considered “the working poor.”
Back to the gala.
“We are expecting 200-250 guests,” Sue Meyer wrote. “Our target population was initially doctors, pharmacists and people who would help us get the word out about our ministry. Of course, our hope is that we will recruit some more doctors and pharmacists as we get ready to expand our outreach with a mobile clinic. We plan to reach out to downtown Akron’s uninsured.
“The Tallmadge site will remain up and going every night Sunday through Friday, and then eventually we will have mobile clinics leaving Tallmadge to set up at various sites throughout downtown. … We are starting with two nights a month at Haven of Rest in October.”
The event, she said, will raise funds for the mobile clinics, possibly a van, general operations, and flu shots for the uninsured. It will include food stations, a DJ with dancing, a presentation highlighting the care center’s volunteer experiences, and a live auction of “sweet rides” (hot-air balloon, helicopter, zipline ride, Polar Express ride for 12, a limo ride and more) to support the van project.
For more information, please email smeyer@pioneerphysicians.com.
Muffins for Mammograms
Akron General Medical Center and Main Street Gourmet’s “Muffins for Mammograms” is launching its 21st year selling muffins to provide free mammograms for than 8,000 uninsured or under-insured women in Northeast Ohio.
“This years’s Muffins for Mammograms event will feature the most popular muffins — blueberry and French toast — which are available for advance order of $150 or more online at www.akrongeneral.org/muffins and at locations within Summit County. Orders must be received by Sept. 27,” wrote the hospital’s Amy Kilgore and Kelly Ward-Smith.
You can also pick up a dozen for $15 from 7 to 10 a.m. Oct. 16 at five locations: AGMC, 400 Akron General Avenue, Akron; Akron General Health & Wellness centers — West, 4125 Medina Road, Copley; North, 4300 Allen Road, Stow; Green, 1940 Town Park Blvd., Green; and Lodi Community Hospital, 225 Elyria St., Lodi.
The purchase of 42 muffins covers the cost of one mammogram. Since its inception, Muffins for Mammograms has brought in more than $600,000.
The program also is being supporting by WQMX 94.9-FM’s “Bosom Buddies Program,” For more information, please call 330-344-7170; to schedule a mammogram call 330-344-5760 or 330-344-BRST (2778).
Legal assistance
Community Legal Aid Services will host walk-in legal clinics next month as part of National Pro Bono Month. Attorneys will volunteer their time to offer counsel and advice to eligible low-income people and seniors at these clinics, wrote Ashley Heeney, director of development & communications, CLAS in Akron.
Following are the local clinics and hours:
• Tuesday — 5 to 7 p.m., Community Legal Aid Services office, 250 S. Chestnut St., Suite 22, Ravenna.
• Oct. 3 — 5 to 7 p.m., Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., Barberton.
• Oct. 8 — 5 to 7 p.m., East Akron YMCA, 110 Goodyear Blvd., Akron; and 5 to 7 p.m., Community Legal Aid Services office, 306 Market St. N, Suite 730, Canton.
• Oct. 10 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Job Center, 1040 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron.
• Oct. 15 — 5 to 7 p.m., United Way of Medina County, 2573 Medina Road, Medina; and 5 to 7 p.m., Red Cross, 244 W. South St., Wooster.
• Oct. 24 — 5 to 7 p.m., OPEN M, 941 Princeton St., Akron.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.