THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
Each year as the holiday season is upon us, the Wayne Township staff is fortunate to see the many wonderful efforts of this great community intermingled amongst the hardships being endured by those in need. All year we work with those citizens struggling with job layoffs, plant closings, lack of support payments, disabilities, and other emergency conditions. Families, as well as this office and other organizations, dedicate themselves to putting lives back together and normalizing things as much as possible. Adults will always understand how life can present unpleasant challenges at the most inopportune times. Children, however, who have always shared a pleasant holiday experience can’t understand if somehow the joy of the season doesn’t seem to find their household.
Health is the most important gift of all, and shortly before Thanksgiving, Wayne Township hosted the Veteran’s Stand Down and Healthy Cities Health Fair. Close to sixty agencies and professional organizations met and planned for several months to address health issues that would be faced by homeless and near homeless that were uninsured or underinsured. All of the services provided were at no expense to the community and its taxpaying citizens. More importantly, no fees were charged to any of the recipients. This, in itself, is quite extraordinary; but the true benefit of this event is in how the value of this preventative action greatly reduces the overall health costs of the needy of this community.
Highlights from the event included:
Distribution of a 30X70 foot tent full of new and gently used clothing
A free hot meal
350 flu and pneumonia vaccinations
148 haircuts
53 hepatitis vaccinations
96 TB tests
79 HIV & syphilis tests
250 cholesterol and sugar tests
Hundreds of blankets
Two other holiday events Wayne Township is involved with are the celebrations of our yearlong success with two of our outstanding programs.
The Wayne Township Payee Program provides the right size support of financial management for families and individuals receiving Social Security benefits. Last year, we had our first holiday celebration for these families with food and goods donated by the public and our staff. This year 30 letters requesting donations were answered by an incredible outpouring of community support including monetary and non-monetary donations.
Our Outreach Program is designed to meet temporary housing needs and to address the problems that contribute to homelessness. This program offers opportunities for affordable housing, intensive case management, personal growth & development, education & employment opportunities to our clients. Every year we try to treat these clients to something special during the holiday season as well. The public, businesses, and agencies donate gifts, food, and other treats. Staff member, Dennis Powell, serves as our acting Santa Clause, songs and other holiday activities are enjoyed as well.
As I am writing this column, Wayne Township staff is completing our part of the collaboration with the Allen County Christmas Bureau, to provide a complete Christmas for thirty-two families.
Throughout the year, we deal with many difficult problems and situations however, when you see sorrow and worry replaced by tears of joy, it’s difficult not to join in them as well.
My thanks to all the incredibly wonderful members of this community.
Happy Holidays to all.
Matthew P. Schomburg
Wayne Township Trustee
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024