By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Sunny skies, grilling, and classic rock served as the backdrop for this year’s South of the Square Block Rally on Friday.
Downtown businesses south of Washington Square in Bucyrus rolled out the welcome mat in an effort to raise funds for HomeCare Matters Home Health and Hospice. The Town & Country 4-H Club lined up under tents to serve hot dogs, bratwursts, chips, cookies, and drinks to anyone making a donation to HomeCare Matters.
Morgan Weber, community liaison for HomeCare Matters, said it was huge to be able to receive such support from the community.
“We like to give back to the community in whatever ways we can,” Weber said. “We’re going to be using the funds to not only help people in the community if they can’t afford their medical equipment, but also just being able to give back to anyone that’s in need.”
Weber thought a block rally was the perfect way to bring businesses together.
PHOTO GALLERY: South of the Square Block Rally
Melissa Oberlander, a financial advisor with Prudential Financial, expressed similar sentiments for the block rally.
“I like giving back,” Oberlander explained as she helped hand out bags of popcorn and Frisbees. “Everything we’re doing is going to the hospice and I really appreciate what they do. Just to let people know that we appreciate them coming downtown and supporting our businesses.”
Oberlander said they saw a lot of foot traffic down Sandusky Avenue for the event, including a lot of families with kids.
Jessica Hickman and her two boys were such a family. Ten-year-old Brayden and 3-year-old Bryson were armed with bags of popcorn and freebies they collected along the way.
“We actually heard about it on Facebook,” explained Hickman, who stopped for the event when she drove through town. “There’s a lot of families that have kids and stuff. Just to have things to get out and show the small business support and just to even know what’s going on up here. If you don’t walk through, you don’t really know what’s up town. I think it’s a great way to get out and about.”
The event is sponsored by the following downtown Bucyrus businesses: AAA Bucyrus; ADM Benefit Plans Agency Inc.; American Shoe; Andrew Schoch/Nationwide Insurance; Brandy’s Beauty Salon; Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce; Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau; Dostal & Kirk; Dr. Bob’s ;Smile Shop; Envision Eyecare; Family Video; First Federal Community Bank; Francis Henize, DDS; Furner’s Floor Covering; Insurance Center of Bucyrus; Huntington Bank; Kennedy, Purdy, Hoeffel & Gernert; Lee’s Comfort Shoes; Mid-Ohio Chiropractic, Midwest Furniture; MizickMiller & Co.; Morning Glory Bakery; Norman’s Niche; Norton’s Flowers; Paul Moser/Nationwide Insurance; Plymale Insurance; Prudential Insurance; Salon Ohh-La-La; Special Moments Bridal; Spreng Capital Management; Tonya’s Hair Fashions; United Bank; U Be Dazzled; and William G. Martin Realty, Inc.
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