Our commitment to the communities we serve goes far beyond our centers. We want to make sure every family is able to enjoy the holiday season to the fullest. With rising prices and fragile labor markets, we are very aware of the difference compassion can make in the lives of children and parents alike.
Once again this year, Horizon will be the recipient of 600 turkey dinners from our friends and partners at North Coast Design Build. These dinners will be distributed across neighborhoods near Horizon's 14 Center locations.
North Coast leaders Mike Cloud and Justin Stahler enjoy success providing construction and development solutions for commercial projects throughout the Midwest. Mike and Justin have made charitable initiatives an important part of their business philosophy – especially at Thanksgiving. What started in 2021 as a simple idea of delivering a turkey dinner to a family in need has grown into a much larger initiative.
“We started four years ago by delivering just one Thanksgiving meal kit to a family in Lorain that was supported by my neighbors' church group,” Cloud explains. “My son, who was five years old at the time, and I went shopping and dropped it off together so he could learn firsthand about helping others in need.”
"If you take a moment to stop and think about the people you know and those who you encounter each day, you’ll discover that one never has to search for someone in need,” Cloud added.
You can share in the joy of giving! Contact us to learn about volunteer opportunities related to our free turkey drive and other holiday-related charitable causes.
Horizon Education Centers’ Community Services Department is currently collecting food donations for the Pioneer Freedge and Horizon’s Center Food Pantries.
The Freedge—short for “free refrigerator”—is a community-based initiative where anyone can donate or access food items as needed. It’s part of the South Side Pride Collaborative, with Horizon serving as the lead partner agency. To encourage participation, centers that collect the most items will be rewarded with an Ice Cream Social in January.
This is a great opportunity to support local families and promote giving during the holiday season.
Horizon’s Giving Tree Program is a heartfelt initiative to support families in need during the holiday season.
Led by Community Services Department Director Julie Piazza-King, each center nominates a few families who could use extra help, and those families provide information, such as children's clothing sizes and specific needs.
Horizon’s Board Members and Administration Team then “adopt” these families, shopping for gifts to place under their tree. The presents are delivered the week before the holiday, bringing joy and relief to families during a time that can be especially challenging.
It’s another meaningful way we give back and spread holiday cheer throughout the community.