'Project Connect' puts Ottawa County families in touch with help

PORT CLINTON - Whether in need today or just looking to find what help is out there, hundreds of Ottawa County families were engaging with many organizations and agencies all in one place at “Project Connect.”

The second annual Project Connect event, which was held on Friday at the Sutton Center, was organized by Community Support Services and a team of volunteers, and sponsored by Paramount Advantage.

“We do our best to do grassroots giving,” said Pam Bunch, of Paramount Advantage. “We like to give to agencies and events that are hitting our members directly and this (Project Connect) is an example of one that is.”

Bunch said her Paramount colleague, Jamie Klear, is a member of the Project Connect committee and was very hands-on during the planning process.

“We love it,” she said. “Seeing all these people — hands-on, right here, you get what you need today and that’s what we’re about — getting people the help they need.”

The Project Connect event was made into a sort of festival with fun for the whole family, while also providing information about organizations and agencies there to help.

“The feeling isn’t as intimidating,” Bunch said. “Your kids want to come. There’s things for them to do, and then at the same time, you can find things that are available.”

For Cheryl Edwards and Anthony Durco, both of Port Clinton, the day was spent handing out literally thousands of socks. They are volunteers with Hannah’s Socks, a nonprofit organization founded in Toledo that donates hundreds of thousands of socks throughout the region.

It began in 2005 when Hannah Turner, who was 4-years-old at the time, spotted a homeless man without socks. Concerned his feet would get cold, Hannah told her mom the man could have her socks. Edwards said Hannah and her mother then began handing out socks at local shelters and eventually started the organization.

In the last two months, it has donated 60,000 pairs of socks to people in need, Durco said.

“We’ve taken some down to Kentucky,” he said. “It’s wherever the need is. There’s no boundaries.”

On Friday, Edwards and Durco gave away around 2,000 pairs of socks by Bombas, a company that donates one pair of socks for every pair they sell. With that in mind, their donated pairs are designed for durability and are antibacterial.

The socks, along with so many other items given away and information on the many organizations, were available to anyone.

“You may not need it today, but you may need it in the future,” Bunch said. “We’re proud to be a part of Project Connect.”

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