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The Warren Coalition wrapped up a successful membership campaign for the “We See You, Warren County” program with a “Love Our Community” event on Tuesday, February 15^and outside the Raymond E. Santmyers Youth Center. During the event, which drew dozens of people despite the cold weather, community volunteers were doused with cold water balloons in the popular “Polar Pitch”.

The children made valentines and wrote words of love to their community, then took pictures with a giant ‘love’ sign created by Julia Laurent and Ryan Cubbage of the Warren Coalition. Families enjoyed the free hot chocolate, granola bars, and Hershey’s Kisses. There was a game of guessing the number of candies in the jar as well as designs for bracelets, coffee, pop-its and stuffed animals. The photo booth was entertaining, with a constant stream of music and impromptu dancing. In addition, resilience materials were distributed to families; these kits help parents and children learn how to build resilience, a key part of preventing drug and alcohol abuse.

Of course, there was also a table to sign up for the We See You program, Warren County, which attracted seven new sign-ups in less than an hour. Overall, the membership campaign took place on February 7^and-15^and and resulted in 40 new members for the program, a resounding success.

“We are grateful for the support of all the volunteers who came to the event to set up, run stations and clean up,” said Warren Coalition Executive Director Christa Shifflett. “We are grateful to the volunteers who had the courage to have a water balloon dropped on their heads in mid-February. Their commitment to our community is palpable and hopeful!

The seven Polar Pitch Burst volunteers were: Beth Waller of What Matters Now & Beth Medved Waller, Inc. Real Estate; Kahle Magalis, Chief of the Royal Front Police; Warren County Sheriff Mark Butler; Jen Avery of Jen Avery, REAL ESTATE & Jenspiration, LLC; Terry Caldwell of House of Hope; Kyle Dulapa of Marlow Motors; and Bret Hrbek of Edward Jones.

It took five “We See You, Warren County” entries to get a volunteer into the “cold” seat of the Polar Pitch Burst. With no more volunteers lined up for the Pitch Burst, when registrations reached 40, Shifflett took the seat without hesitation. Once she was wet, Cubbage, who was running the Polar Pitch, sat down, getting an extra splash when community volunteers helped kids pour her the extra tubs of water.

We See You, Warren County, is a program to intentionally reach out to others, to help create a sense of connection within Warren County. Developing a sense of belonging within the community helps improve mental health and prevent drug and alcohol abuse. There is no cost for the program; registration is simply a commitment to do your best to participate. Individuals, businesses and organizations are welcome. For more information, visit weseeyou.warrencoalition.org, visit the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/wecuwcor email [email protected]