North Royalton, Ohio is a place where a group of seventh-grade boys have made a remarkable difference. Through their third annual neighborhood food drive, they have collected an astonishing 2,400 food items for the North Royalton Food Bank. These young students went door to door, distributing collection bags and then returning to gather the donated cans and non-perishable food. Despite the hard work, they reported positive feelings and a strong desire to continue helping.

Student Perspectives and Motivations

Anderson Ross, who has participated for two years, shared his thoughts. "I want to do the food drive through high school to make sure I help a lot of people." Wesley Beck, a three-year participant, added, "I wanted to be a part of this because when I think of all the needy children out there, I realize some of them don't have anything to eat. So giving them a moment to have something to eat makes me feel good." Adam Emch, one of the new kids this year, said, "I really thought that the idea of doing all this was amazing. I was happy that I could be a part of it and enjoyed helping the people who don't have all the resources we need. I believe even if it was a lot of work passing out the flyers and collecting the cans, it was all worth it because it will go to helping people."

Student Dedication and Community Impact

The food drive is an ongoing initiative led by the students, who expressed a deep commitment to helping families in need. Carson Evangelista, one of the four original students, explained, "While I was delivering flyers and collecting cans, I felt happy, because when we were collecting the cans I could see how much we were giving to the community. When I was delivering flyers, I was hoping that people would notice the flyers and also want to spread the good cause by donating cans." Benjamin Wright, the initiator of the original plan and a three-year participant, added, "I felt like I was making a very big impact on the community and myself. I also felt warm and happy seeing all my friends, including my sister, helping me and running around."

Continuing the Good Work

All the boys plan on continuing to help with this canned food drive next year because they want to set an example for the community and their peers. JR Minch, a three-year veteran, stated, "I chose to continue this act because I wanted to help families in need and keep the food drive going." Their dedication to this community service project shows their commitment to making a positive impact.

Christmas Benefit Concert

Strongsville United Methodist Church is hosting a special Christmas benefit concert at 6:30 p.m. on December 15. It will feature the Christmas music of contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith and other traditional Christmas favorites, performed by a choir of more than 45 singers, a kids choir and a 23-piece orchestra. Participants are from Strongsville UMC and other local churches in the Cleveland and Canton areas. Lee Zacharias, a Canton resident and lifelong music educator and church musician, is the music director. Carl Fernstrum, one of Baldwin Wallace University's Institute for Learning in Retirement's popular presenters, will be one of the keyboardists. There is no charge to attend the concert, but love offerings will be gratefully accepted for Fostering the Future Ministries. Join this magical way to experience the Christmas season with beautiful music and to participate in helping to change lives at the same time.

Veterans Ceremony

At noon on December 14, Wreaths Across America will present a ceremony to place wreaths at the graves of more than 400 veterans in the North Royalton City Cemetery. You are welcome to attend the ceremony, whether to volunteer to place wreaths or to honor and remember these individuals.

Tax-Filing Help

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program will be getting under way again this year, starting the first week in February and ending April 14. This IRS-supported, free tax service is offered on a non-discriminatory basis without consideration of race, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Special attention is given to those with low or moderate incomes and/or ages 50 and older. Taxpayers do not have to be retired or a member of AARP. You may start calling for appointments on January 6.Here is a list of Tax-Aide sites in southwest Cuyahoga County:- Strongsville Senior & Recreation Center (new site), 18100 Royalton Road in Strongsville. Appointments from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. To make an appointment, call Jon at 440-570-5180 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Do not call the Strongsville Senior Center or Strongsville United Methodist Church to make appointments.- Broadview Heights Community and Recreation Center (re-opened site), 9543 Broadview Road in Broadview Heights. Appointments from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. To make an appointment, call 440-526-4074 on weekdays.- Brook Park United Methodist Church, 6220 Smith Road in Brook Park. Appointments are offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Call 216-676-4738 between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays for an appointment.- Middleburg Heights Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library, 16699 Bagley Road in Middleburg Heights. Appointments are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. To make an appointment, go to the Middleburg Heights Library and complete a sign-up book or call 440-234-3600. Pick up the intake-interview booklet and information pages at the site. Complete and bring them to your appointment.- North Royalton Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library, 5071 Wallings Road in North Royalton. Appointments are from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. To make an appointment, go to the North Royalton Library and complete a sign-up book or call 440-237-3800. Pick up the intake-interview booklet and information pages at the site. Complete and bring them to your appointment.- Parma Powers Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library, 6996 Powers Blvd. in Parma. Appointments are from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To make an appointment, go to the Parma Powers Library and complete a sign-up book or call 440-885-5362. Pick up the intake-interview booklet and information pages at the site. Complete and bring them to your appointment.Due to a reduced number of volunteers, fewer sites are opening than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the in-person process is anticipated to prepare returns. Be sure to bring to your appointment copies of your Federal and Ohio 2023 returns; 2024 forms W-2, 1099, and 1098 (taxpayers with more than 10 forms may be better served by a paid professional); Social Security cards or statements for all persons on your tax return; a picture ID (i.e., a valid driver’s license) for you and your spouse; and any IRS or Ohio Tax correspondence.

Preschool Openings

The Lil’ Bears Preschool of North Royalton City Schools has openings for 3-, 4- and early 5-year-old typically developing children to serve as peers in the classrooms for students who have disabilities. Lil’ Bears Preschool is located at North Royalton Elementary School, 16400 State Road in North Royalton. It is a developmentally appropriate place for young children to learn and make new friends. The typical peer students serve as role models to the students with disabilities in the areas of speech, language, behavior and play skills, while receiving a strong standards-based learning opportunity. There are openings for the 3-year-old and limited spaces for 4-year-old classes attending Tuesday through Friday. The tuition rate is $1,000, which is broken down into four payments of $250 from August 2025 to April 2026. For further information or to start the application process, contact Lil’ Bears at 440-582-9060. The deadline for applying is January 13.