Organizations and community members around the Valley all took part in the annual Make a Difference Day to help those in need, both here and outside our area.
Many came with bags filled with clothing, and some came with boxes filled with food. But, they all came with the same mission of helping those who are less fortunate. The community responded very well to the Rotary Club of Cortland's Clothing Drive, and the Cortland Area Cares Food Drive at Lakeview High School. Organizers of the food drive say the number of families in the Cortland area who now need food pantries has increased drastically. "The need has doubled. I'd say in the last three to four years, and they're right now servicing 250 families and individuals," said John Billock with the Cortland Rotary Club. While all of the food donations from the food drive will stay here in the local community, all the clothing donated will go to needy folks in the Appalachian Mountain regions of Kentucky and West Virginia, which are reported to be two of the poorest regions of the country. "A lot of the clothes go to young ladies so they can at least have clothes for interviews and jobs and uniforms," said clothing drive organizer, Martin Ellis.
Over at the Warren Family mission, volunteers helped make a difference by participating in a number of food and clothing drives. And OSU master gardeners helped make a difference by sprucing up the grounds over at the Mission. The Warren Family Mission's efforts didn't stop there. Volunteers also spent the day cleaning and beautifying the west side area of Warren. "People have just really stepped up to the plate and really helped us," said Judy Campbell with the Warren Family Mission.
