ORWELL- - Pat Hunter is excited as she describes the Conversation Station in downtown Orwell as being a safe and fun place for kids to gather after school, or evenings, for a variety of programs and entertainment.
Hunter and husband, Gary of Rome began planning to establish a safe hangout for youth after school in 1991, working with a small core of Grand Valley area volunteers. Finally in 2000, the center opened on Route 6 in Rome Township in a building fundedwith donations and grants. The Rome building was sold to the South Central Ambulance District for it's headquarters two years ago.
Conversation Station relocated to Orwell in 2004, renting space at 18 East Main St.
"We've been operating on a budget of $20,000 a year, mostly from donations and fund-raisers. The center here in the village is needed. Now, we need support from the area residents and businesses to help sustain it," Pat Hunter said.
Today and continuing through Saturday night, CS volunteers and youth will hold their first 36-hour telethon, with the goal of raising $36,000. Orwell Cable Channel 40 will cover the fund-raiser.
The telethon kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the center from 7 to 9 a.m. today and again on Saturday. A Pacesetter pledge of $500 is being recruited for the breakfast kick-off, Pat Hunter said.
Pat Hosler of New Lyme is working this year as a consultant at the center to help with programming and activities. Hosler is being paid with a $10,000 faith-based and Community Initiative grant from Gov. Bob Taft's office. The youth center is one of 43 community organizations in the state to receive this grant for 2006-07.
"We know a lot is going on this weekend. It's Grand Valley homecoming and Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival weekend, but we are hopeful to get the monetary pledges," Hosler told village officials Tuesday.
The council is allowing part of the 36-Hour Telethon volunteers to work out of the Village Administration Center on West Main Street. Events for the weekend fund-raiser include musical entertainment by area bands, a pool tournament, a pizza eating contest, food sales and an outdoor walk-a-thon, from 10 p.m. today to midnight, along East Main Street, South School Street, High Street and South Maple Street. Luminaries will be put out to light the route.
Volunteers and the teens will be making doughnuts between midnight and Saturday morning, Hunter said. Saturday events include a pancake-eating contest, silent auctions of donated items and gifts, a Community Feud Game, bands, drawings for prizes, and more.
The CS needs more adult volunteers to help out with programs, which the board plans to expand. For more information on the telethon or to make a pledge, call (440) 437-5442.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 10/13/2006
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