“Thanks for Giving” Kicks Off With Delaware’s November First Friday
November is the perfect time to remember why we’re all thankful – for family, friends, and a caring community that nurtures and supports one another.
Main Street Delaware will celebrate that community spirit with Thanks for Giving throughout the month of November with donation stations set up downtown beginning during First Friday on November 2 to collect new toys, toiletries, non-perishable food, and other items to assist the Common Ground Free Store and People in Need in their efforts to help our neighbors in need.
Each time you give, you will be entered into a prize drawing to win a downtown gift basket that showcases the wonderful shopping and dining opportunities in our community.
The November 2 First Friday will also feature a free-children’s activity provided by the Delaware County District Library, along with music, sidewalk vendors, and extended shopping and dining hours at participating locations. This month’s celebration is sponsored by Carousel Closet, 24 N. Sandusky St., a boutique-style shop featuring new gift items and gently used children’s, juniors, and maternity clothing. Carousel Closet will host one of the downtown Donation Stations throughout the month.
Other donation stations may be found at:
The Common Grounds Free Store will be one of the benefactors of the “Thanks for Giving” program taking place throughout downtown Delaware, Ohio, in November. Your donations will make a difference to needy Delaware residents this holiday season. (Photo courtesy of commongroundfreestore.com)
- Button Up, 29 N. Sandusky St.
- Fundamentals, 25 W. Winter St.
- Beehive Books, 25 N. Sandusky St.; and
- Global Village Collection, 27 N. Sandusky St.
“Everyone is excited about this First Friday and month-long event,” says Frances Jo Hamilton, Main Street Delaware’s executive director. “We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for in Delaware. THANKS for GIVING lets us share our good fortune with others and support our downtown shops and restaurants.”
For those seeking more to do downtown, Main Street Delaware will help the community to welcome Santa Claus to town on Nov. 18 during the 35th annual Christmas Parade. The parade will step off at 3 p.m. from Mingo Park, 99 E. Lincoln Ave., and proceed south through the historic downtown to Wilmer Street. Groups that would like to be in the parade are asked to register online before Nov. 12. This year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The community also is invited to come downtown November 24 to celebrate the national observance of American Express’s “Small Business Saturday,” during which people are urged to shop at their favorite small businesses to help ensure the merchants’ long-term viability.
In addition, the downtown merchants will hold a Holiday Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on December 1 to help shoppers find the perfect holiday gifts for family, friends, and loved ones. Santa Claus will be in his workshop (inside Carousel Closet) during the open house, and Main Street Delaware will provide horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the downtown to help celebrate the season.
Finally, all will be merry and bright on Friday, December 7, when Main Street Delaware lights up the downtown Christmas tree during the final 2012 First Friday. This year’s ceremony will be dedicated to Howard Haas, a lifelong Delaware resident and friend of the downtown. Haas died Aug. 20, but will forever be remembered for his kindness, empathy, and positive outlook.
Thumbnail photo by Elda Agagon, stock.xchng.
