Rick and Joni Blase, owners of Boot Factory Outlet, recently donated $100,000 to the James P. Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork.
Rick is a member of the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Blase family established the Blase Scholarship in 2017 to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund, a news release states.
Originally known as Rick’s Ranchwear, Boot Factory Outlet is a chain of eight retail stores operating in Ohio, Tennessee, Florida and Nevada since 1978.
The James P. Tressel Institute of Leadership and Teamwork will support opportunities through credit courses, workshops, symposiums and more. The objectives are to prepare students and participants to become strong, impactful leaders, and to create and foster an atmosphere of teamwork for the well-being of their group or organization, the release states.
The institute is expected to enroll its first cohort of students in the summer.
“Rick Blase represents the American success story of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication,” YSU President Jim Tressel said in the release. “His support and service to YSU students through his generosity and volunteer services to the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees are making a lasting impact.”
Annual Home & Garden show set for this weekend
Home Builders and Remodelers Association of the Valley will host the 71tst annual Home & Garden Show this weekend at the Canfield Fairgrounds Event Center, 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Road.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and younger.
Attendees will be able to speak with HBA contractors and see the newest trends in the market, as well as register to win prizes throughout the show, a news release states.
The event will feature fair food from Sara’s BBQ & Catering and Hoovers Concessions.
Fusillo Catering owner donates $2,500 to Glenwood Fresh Market
Mark Fusillo, owner of Fusillo Catering, recently donated $2,500 to the Glenwood Fresh Market at 2915 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown.
The market, operated by the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, will provide year-round access to free fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy food items to residents of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley who are facing food insecurity issues, a news release states.
The market also will provide free health screenings, nutrition literacy courses, cooking demonstrations and other resources to members.
Residents can become members if they are from a household living below 200% of the federal poverty guideline or are a SNAP recipient. To become a member, call 330-333-3561.
“We are grateful to Mark Fusillo … for understanding and supporting access to fresh, quality produce and food for all residents of Youngstown,” Ian Beniston, YNDC executive director, said in the release.
The market will open in late March.
Legal Arts Building’s renovated parking deck reopens
The Legal Arts Building’s parking deck has been renovated and reopened to the public.
The two-level deck at the corner of Market Street and Boardman Street in Youngstown is equipped with a self-pay kiosk and is open 24/7 with hourly and monthly rates, a news release states.
The bottom deck has 17 spaces available for monthly parking rates. The upper deck is open for daily and hourly parking.
Meridian HealthCare announces leadership changes
Meridian HealthCare recently announced several new leadership changes at the agency.
Darla Gallagher, who has been with the agency for more than 30 years, will continue to oversee all administrative operations for the agency as senior vice president of business operations.
Katherine Komara, who has a background in both business and behavioral health, will lead Meridian’s clinical programming, planning, compliance and quality assurance as the vice president of clinical operations.
Chase Connors, Meridian’s current director of information systems, will be promoted to chief financial officer and will spearhead the agency’s financial operations, information technology and revenue cycle management.
Gina Pastella, who has more than 25 years of experience in staff and leadership development, will become Meridian’s chief operating officer. She will be responsible for human resources, professional development and strategic planning.
Choffin to host open house to showcase new music program, studio
Choffin Career and Technical Center will host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday to showcase its new Music Production & Recording program and new studio.
The program is designed to provide a thorough and comprehensive understanding of music creation, production and recording for Youngstown City School District 11th- and 12th-grade students, a news release states.
The open house will be held in Room 215 at Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St., Youngstown.
JCC of Youngstown to offer babysitter training
The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering babysitter training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown.
The training, for ages 11 to 15, is designed to teach new babysitters about the responsibilities that come with the job, a news release states.
The cost is $52 for JCC members and $70 for nonmembers. To register, click here.
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