TRIALS FOR HOPE RECEIVES WALK IN FREEZER FROM CUYAHOGA COUNTY NORTHWEST-LORAIN COUNTY CLUSTER GRANT
 
The Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise Rotary Club successfully led the Cuyahoga County Northwest-Lorain County Cluster in receiving a District Matching Grant to secure funding for the purchase and installation of a walk-in freezer at the headquarters of the Trials for Hope.  Pictured above are representatives of the Clubs involved.   Jason Pickering, Trials for Hope project coordinator and member of Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise, Adam Sonnhalter, Assistant Governor of the Cluster and member of the North Ridgeville Club, Johnathan Gray, Executive Director of the Trials for Hope, Marjorie Corrigan of the Lakewood Rocky River Club, Mallory Mertz, Treasurer of the Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise Club, and Eric Jolly, President of the Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise Club.
 
Director Gray started out by passing out trial size toiletries; soap, toothpaste, shampoo, at homeless camps in Cleveland. The homeless were so appreciative of Johnathan’s outreach, that they remarked “you give us hope”. Johnathan formalized his outreach forming the non-profit: Trials for Hope. Eight years later, Trials for Hope is bringing fresh produce, non-perishables and toiletries to hundreds of homeless individuals/families in poverty every week.
With the gift of this walk-in freezer, the organization will be able to expand its outreach to the homeless and needy on the near west side of Cleveland with frozen meals and other items that will be stored in the freezer.  Director Gray was able to show the group that the freezer was already nearing full capacity of items that will be distributed in the next few weeks.
 
The District Grant programs gives local Rotary Clubs the opportunity to take advantage of their support of the Rotary International Foundation.  In the case of the Freezer, $2,800 was received as Matching Grant Funds as part of the total cost of the purchase and installation of the freezer for Trials for Hope.
 
Sunrise Rotary Members will also continue to support Trials for Hope by helping out monthly at food and toiletry item packing.  This is just one of the many Community, Vocational and Youth Service Activities of the Lakewood Rocky River Rotary Clubs.  A Noon Club meets every Monday and a morning club meets every Wednesday, both at Don Umerley Hall of the Rocky River Civic Center. 
 
Stop in or contact Kathy Berkshire at sloopyohio19@gmail.com to learn more and find out how you can join with men and women in your area to give back through service in your community, and internationally.