FROM OUR CHAIR SEAN PARSONS
Athens Democratic Party Chair Sean Parsons
Hello Fellow Democrats,
If you’re like me, the end of a year is a chance to look back and reflect on the things that made that year unique. Our successes. Our challenges. The people we met or those to whom we had to say goodbye.
I have been truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with you all these past few months. The energy and dedication you have for our community is inspiring! Whether you’re a volunteer or an elected official, a donor or some combination of the above, each and every one of you is part of a family that works together to serve Athens County. And that’s something exciting to carry into 2023.
So no matter where this holiday season finds you, the Athens County Democratic Party wishes you and yours the very best!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Final Wednesday Lunch & Learn
After 4 years of Lunch & Learns, we will no longer be hosting the weekly presentations. Attendance has dropped to an average of 15 people per week and hosts Andrea Reik and Solveig Spjeldnes are ready to make a change. We are considering a monthly evening zoom on relevant topics for Democrats and will keep you informed about what is ahead. If you are interested in continuing Lunch & Learn, please let us know.
FINAL L&L Wednesday, December 14 – join us at noon via Zoom for a breakdown of the outrageous and anti-democratic activity happening during the Ohio Statehouse Lame Duck Session. Register in advance here.
Holiday Party & Eliason Swearing-In
Please join us for a Holiday Party on Friday, December 16, from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Democratic party office, 74 East State Street in Athens. At 6:00 p.m. we’ll be swearing-in Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason. Hope to see you there!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
During the past couple of years, one of our simplest projects is writing holiday cards to nursing home residents. Cards should be nondenominational, as recipients may be from a wide variety of beliefs or religious orientations.
Q: Do we address envelopes?
A: You can leave envelopes blank, unsealed, no stamp.
Q: How do we sign off on cards?
A: You can start your letter Dear Friend, and sign off the same way or use your name.
Q: Are there suggestions for contents?
A: Definitely nothing political. General well wishes for the holiday season. Sharing a few memories that are often common for many folks at this time of year. Reminders of scents we associate . . . pine, mulled cider, hot chocolate, etc. (the olfactory gland being the oldest part of our brains!) . . . a funny story about a puppy, the making of gingerbread houses, the antics of birds at the feeder, etc. Use your imagination! It doesn’t need to be long . . . the most important piece conveying “You are not forgotten; I care about you.”
Q: How many do I write?
A: That’s up to you! I think 5-10 is something even the busiest of us can manage. I’d like at least 200 that I will deliver on December 22nd to all four local nursing homes – Kimes, The Laurels, Hickory Creek, Lindley Inn. Too many will NOT be an issue.
Q: When is the deadline to turn in the cards to the Dem office?
A: Wednesday, December 21st
Q: When is office open for drop off?
A: Wednesday, December 14 and 21 from 1:00-4:00 PM. If those times are impossible, contact Community Service Chair Janalee Stock to make alternate arrangements.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
OFFICE UPDATES
The dust has settled after a busy election season. The campaign materials have been recycled, re-homed and scrapped as much as possible. Unfortunately the vinyl yards signs were put in the landfill. Thanks to all who returned their campaign signs and materials.
A special shout out to Janalee Stock who re-homed the foam signs to local art teachers and Cathie Chapman and Mike Small who took the wires to be scrapped. And kudos to the rest of us who dismantled the signs and recycled!
- Office Hours – During this next month or two we will be open primarily on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 and at other times as needed. We are also pleased to share this space as available for causes which Democrats support including Re-Think Plastics, Athens Friends of the Dog Shelter, political book club as well as a local abortion resources group.
- Window Magic – We are still looking for someone with artistic talents to fully utilize our windows with signs and window painting.
If you have need for a meeting space or know an artist that can bring our windows to life, please contact office manager Andrea Reik.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Neighborhood Campaign Committee: Chairs Andrea Reik and Janalee Stock were so proud to be a part of the Athens Dem Neighborhood Campaign! Over 88 volunteers were active in 2022 culminating in the mid-term election. Activities included office coverage, post card writing for candidates, canvassing for local and state candidates, phone banking, and being a part of the several local community engagement events which were held in Nelsonville, Albany and Chauncey. Many of the volunteers participated in several activities.
In conjunction with the Friends of Tanya Conrath campaign, we will be hosting an appreciation event in January to recognize our active volunteers. We will also use this gathering as an opportunity to share our experiences during the campaign as well as ideas to mobilize voters for the 2024 election. An invitation with details will be sent in the next few weeks.
Community Engagement Committee: Chair Patrice Beard thanks those that turned out to march in the parades and who came to other election-season events. It was great to have so many people spread the word and participate. In addition to the crews rallying behind Tanya Conrath, Ric Wasserman and Lenny Eliason, we hosted many statewide candidates including Tim Ryan, Nan Whaley, Jennifer Brunner, Marilyn Zayas, Terri Jamison, Chelsea Clark, Jeff Crossman, Taylor Sappington, Scott Schertzer, and Cheryl Stephens!
DONATE TO THE ACDP
We thank everyone who has financially supported the ACDP in the past. The fight to defend democracy and turn Ohio blue is far from over. If you have not donated recently to the ACDP, and have the means to do so, please donate today.
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