By Rick Palsgrove
Eastside Editor
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club continues to reach out and help the community with financial grants to help fund civic minded projects.
Keep Reynoldsburg Beautiful and the War Memorial at Reynoldsburg High School sponsored by American Legion Post 798 are new recipients of Reynoldsburg Civic Club financial grants this year.
Civic Club grants this year also went to the Reynoldsburg-Truro Historical Society, Helping Hands, Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival, Community Halloween Party, Franklin County Consortium for Good Government, Livingston House Pioneer Day, and Joseph’s Coat received a supply of personal care items.
“We like to help jump start good civic projects,” said Reynoldsburg Civic Club Past President Sonja Herd. “It’s money well spent to help get them going.”
Herd said it’s difficult these days for community organizations to raise funds.
“Nowadays people are busy and don’t have the time,” said Herd. “It’s hard for organizations to raise money for projects. The Civic Club can help them. We’ve been around for a while, we like our community, and we do what we can to help.”
She said the club looks to help fund civic projects that are open to all.
“The club looks across a broad spectrum,” said Herd.
She said giving financial assistance to civic projects also helps the club’s members stay connected with the community.
Herd said the Civic Club has traditionally always played an active role in helping the community.
According to the club’s written history, in the early 1900s as villages grew into cities, women residents addressed the need for civic improvements by establishing clubs, known as “Women’s Clubs,” to meet those needs. In November 1922, Jesse Weiburg called together a group of women from Reynoldsburg and vicinity and the Reynoldsburg Civic Club was organized. Over the years the club instituted many “firsts,” including a lending library, kindergarten, PTAs and billboards welcoming visitors to the community. Recently, the club provided monetary assistance for a variety of projects including the Fire Safety House, utility pole banners and the mural on the building at the corner of Lancaster and Main streets.
Herd said the club provides its members with an opportunity for social interaction with women who care about Reynoldsburg. She said today the club has about 40 to 45 active members.
The Reynoldsburg Civic Club meets monthly for a luncheon and guest speaker. For information contact the Club at P.O. Box 1536, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.
