Second Harvest, McConnell Meats & Farm Market and WOBL/WDLW Radio kick off 'Holiday Cheer' campaign

ELYRIA — For the 38th year, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and its partners are asking for the public's generosity as they collect donations for local families in need. The "Holiday Cheer" campaign started Monday and continues through Dec. 24. Funds collected through the campaign are used to help put food on the table for local residents. A donation of just $1 can pay for five meals. WOBL/WDLW Radio is a longtime partner with Second Harvest on the Holiday Cheer campaign. McConnell Meats & Farm Market, which opened in April, came on board this year. "I think sometimes we forget that there are plenty in our own community to help out, whether it's a single family, a single mom," said Gary Tollett, owner and president of WOBL/WDLW Radio. "When we bought the station this year and got into it, it's always been about local. It's grassroots radio." He and his wife, Renee Tollett, took ownership of the stations in March. Michele Cvanciger, who works sales for McConnell Meats & Farm Market, said as soon as their team heard about the campaign, they knew they had to get involved and help. "We're all in it together, and that's what it comes down to," she said. "You've got to help the next one in line; that's my biggest goal." The Holiday Cheer campaign began in 1983 as a way to raise awareness and funds to address hunger among local families during the holiday season. According to Second Harvest, more than $1.3 million has been raised through donations over the years, providing about 6.6 million total meals. Donations are being collected at McConnell Meats & Farm Market, located at 15788 state Route 58, through the end of the fundraising period. An event is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the market to bring awareness to the campaign and honor sponsors. WOBL/WDLW Radio is also collecting donations from the public, including during a 24-hour lock-in at the radio station. Tollett and "DJ Jimbo" Jim Alexander are locking themselves in the station for the day beginning Dec. 3 at 7 a.m. They won't come out until they raise $5,000 but plan to stay in for the entire day even if that total is raised sooner. People can follow a walkway of candy canes around the station to see the broadcasters trapped inside and make donations. Donors who give $50 can receive a limited edition t-shirt. Food insecurity continues to be a problem for many in Lorain County, said Second Harvest President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield. A recession around the time the Holiday Cheer campaign was founded had some local residents out of work and struggling financially, she said, similar in some ways to the circumstances many face today. "They saw a need within the community," said Chase-Morefield. "In fact, I think the idea of even founding the food bank was seeing a need in the community, wanting to meet that need and local people saying, 'What can I do to help? How can I be part of this?" More information about the Holiday Cheer campaign is available online at secondharvestfoodbank.org. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.