Around Windham: Plenty to be grateful for here in Windham

Hello Windham Family! November is National Gratitude Month. Gratitude is an active process of acknowledging goodness and recognizing its source. There is so much to be grateful for in Windham. Gratitude enhances our moods, decreases stress and drastically improves our overall level of health and well-being. November is truly a time of giving thanks, and in the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, we want to reflect on the gratitude we can express toward those involved in our lives. Here is some information about events this month including ways to give back for the Thanksgiving season.

WHS Athletic Boosters Letterman Jacket Raffle This can be for any Windham high-schooler. It is not only for seniors. If you want to do the “random pick” (talked about further down) then that will be directly to a senior that may not have been able to get a letterman jacket. Want a chance to win a custom Windham Letterman jacket for just $10?

Tickets: $10 each — only 100 available. The prize: A Letterman jacket featuring Windham on the back and your name on the front. Any additional customization can be purchased separately through Sport Express.

How it works: Tickets will be numbered 1 through 100 and assigned in the order they are purchased.

For example: First person to purchase receives ticket #1; Purchase four tickets? You’ll receive four consecutive numbers, once payment is received, we’ll send you your assigned ticket number(s).

Want to give a senior a chance to win? You can also purchase a $10 ticket for a random Windham High School senior. We’ll randomly assign your donated ticket to a member of the senior class, giving them a chance to win their very own Letterman jacket. It’s a great way to support our graduating seniors while supporting WHS Athletics.

How to purchase: Before sending any payment, message Elena Sweet or Dani Schultz with the following information: Your full name, your phone number, how many tickets you’d like to purchase, and whether any tickets are being donated to a random senior. We will confirm ticket availability and payment details before you send your money.

Payment option: Cash or Venmo. Once all 100 tickets are sold, we’ll draw one lucky winner from a bowl live on our WHS Athletic Boosters Facebook page. The winner will receive a phone call following the live drawing. Every ticket purchased helps WHS Athletic Boosters continue supporting our Windham student-athletes. 100 tickets. $10 each. One lucky winner. Go Bombers!

Windham Bombers PTO Crafting Santa Shop The Windham Bombers PTO is going to be putting together a Santa shop for KT Elementary this year, but it will not be your traditional Santa shop. It’s going to be a crafting Santa shop. The children will be making gifts for mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, siblings, whoever.

We are hoping to make the craft portion of the Santa shop free of charge to the children, so that they have special gifts to take home to their families.

Senior Photos Opportunity Windham Class of 2027 seniors: Photographer Elena Sweet of Ever Sweet Photography is offering Pay-What-You-Can Senior Photo Sessions again this year (true pay what you can with no minimum) just for Windham seniors.

"This is your year, and I want every single one of you to have photos to celebrate it, regardless of financial circumstances. I have done these for the past three years and I am going to offer them again this year. This isn’t about money, it’s about making sure you feel seen, celebrated, and proud of how far you’ve come," said Elena.

Whether you can give a little, a lot, or nothing at all, you’ll still get a session that’s all about you. Please contact Elena directly at 330-206-8829.

Graduation is such a special moment — you (your child) deserve to have it remembered.

Elena does senior sessions in other districts as well but charges $80 to $100 (dependent on location) for senior sessions. This specific deal she does just for hometown kids.

RFC Family Christmas You are invited Friday, Dec. 4 for an Elegant Evening of Fellowship, Dinner and Live Auction, from 6 to 9 p.m., $25 are tickets per person. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Second Blessings Thrift Store Grand Reopening will be held from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by the Christmas Jazz Concert featuring Swing Ministry from 5 to 7 p.m. with a free will offering.

The Renaissance Family Center is a private, volunteer run, nonprofit organization supporting Windham and the surrounding communities. The programs, services and events at RFC are made possible by your support and generous donations. Dinner seating is limited, reserve your tickets today by calling the RFC from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 330-326-3003.

Windham Bombers Youth JV Super Bowl Winners Congratulations to the Windham Bombers Youth JV football team for winning the NOYFL Super Bowl, defeating Mathews 26-6 for the title. It was the team's second consecutive Super Bowl championship win.

Chipotle Fundraiser for Windham School’s OAPSE No. 770 Union Need dinner plans for Saturday, Nov. 14? Grab Chipotle and support some of the wonderful people who help keep our schools running. OAPSE No. 770, one of our school unions representing staff like our paras, secretaries, and more, is hosting a fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Chipotle, 2160 Millennium Blvd, Cortland.

Show the flyer on the PTO’s Facebook page when ordering in person or use code R8LTZX4 when ordering online for pickup, and 25% of qualifying sales will support their union.

Online pickup orders must be at this location during fundraiser hours. Delivery orders don’t count.

Windham PD Fill-A-Cruiser Please join the Windham Police Department from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Dollar General on North Main Street for the annual Fill A Cruiser event. Santa and friends will make a special appearance; be sure to take a photo.

The Police Department will be accepting new (unwrapped) toys and monetary donations. They will be accepting gifts for all school-age children (new toys, makeup, and hygiene products).

They also will be accepting donations at the Windham Police Department until Dec. 18. Contact Windham PD with any questions at 330-326-2212 or email acarter@windhamvillageoh.gov.

Windham Village annual Parade of Lights Join us for the Village of Windham’s annual Parade of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 6. Lineup is at 5 p.m. at the old hardware store on North Main Street.

Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at KT Elementary. Keep the fun going after the parade. Stop by KT for cookies, hot chocolate, crafts for the kids, and a photo with Santa. Activities will continue until 8 p.m. KT Elementary is located at 9032 Maple Grove Road, Windham. Everyone is welcome. Bring the family and celebrate the holiday season with our community.

I look forward to keeping our Windham community up to date with all the information I receive. Please contact me with anything you may like featured for the end of November/beginning of December. The Around Windham column runs on the third Friday of each month, and I will need all the information the week prior. You may contact me via text/call at 330-283-2711 or via email at nks1024@icloud.com.

Around Windham: Plenty to be grateful for here in Windham

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