A Moment With the Mayor

Moment with the Mayor for November 18, 2017
No Shave November
The Wadsworth Police Department is participating in "No Shave November" this year for the first time in the department's history. “No Shave November” is an annual national campaign that is designed to raise awareness of cancer and the struggles that families endure as a result. City department employees pay $30 and forego shaving for the month of November. The official website for “No Shave November” says, "The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle." Additionally, donations that Wadsworth residents would like to make toward this cause will be added to the collective donation amount. We simply ask that you make your check payable to "Wadsworth FOP Lodge 45". On the memo line mention "No Shave". The police department's Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is also planning on adding to the total donation amount at the end of November. All monies raised this year will be donated to the Sandmann family of Wadsworth. Leigh Sandmann and her husband Walt lost their 22 year old daughter Kelsey Sandmann in November of 2016, after a courageous battle with Epithelial Serous Ovarian Cancer. 9 days after Kelsey passed, her sister Erin Goff, was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This family has granted us their blessing for this endeavor and are very grateful for the consideration. The Sandmann family has a Facebook page dedicated to their daughters that you can visit: "Team Kelsey and Erin's Entourage". This campaign is designed not only to honor Kelsey and Erin, but to bring awareness to all those who are struggling with cancer related loss and to those families currently fighting the disease.

Veterans of Foreign War
The Veterans of Foreign War can trace their roots back to 1899 when their organization was formed after the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. It came about to help the many sick and injured veterans who were without pensions or medical care at that time. The organization serves active, guard and reserve members; and today, their membership, including the Auxiliary, has grown to nearly 1.7 million. The VFW was also instrumental in the founding of the Veterans Administration, the development of the national cemetery system and for advocating for medical compensation and educational benefits. They have also contributed to the development of several war memorials. Their mission has always been to foster camaraderie among our country’s veterans who have served in conflicts overseas and to advocate on their behalf. They continue to work to ensure that veterans are recognized for the sacrifices they and their families have made for our country.

Our local VFW Post 1089 was officially formed on December 18, 1933, and was located on College Street in the present Kolony bowling alley. In 1985, the Post downsized and moved to 185 Main St., adjacent to the Central Intermediate School. In October 1990, the property located next to the American Legion at 121 Main St. became available, and was purchased by the VFW. Both of these organizations work together to perform many funeral honor services each year, and prepare for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day services. The VFW’s website has been recently updated, and they invite you to take a look at their membership and event information at https://vfw1089.org.

Until next week…..

Mayor Robin Laubaugh