Ugly Christmas Sweater Games benefit to local programs

Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey helped the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office last year with participating in Shop-with-a-Cop. The program is one that has benefitted from Loyalty is Forever fundraisers. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.

POMEROY, Ohio – An organization dedicated to supporting the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and assisting with funding programs is preparing for their annual December fundraiser.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Thirty-One and Basket Games are set for Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 at the Syracuse Community Center. The doors open at 5 p.m. with games beginning at 6 p.m. The event is hosted by the Loyalty is Forever team. Food will be available with the menu including homemade chicken and noodles.

According to organizers, the Loyalty is Forever team is once again rallying friends and neighbors in support of Sheriff Keith Wood and his staff at the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. This year, organizers say it is the “largest haul” in prizes with more than $3,300 in games and prizes. It is the fourth consecutive year the group has worked to promote a specific goal or target a program to bring to the Sheriff’s Office, benefitting the citizens of Meigs County, Ohio. In previous years, the efforts benefitted the K-9 fundraiser, Kids Safe ID Program, Life Alert, Show-with-a-Cop, and other programs.

The Loyalty is Forever team is a local non-profit, has repeatedly partnered with local law enforcement primarily because they believe in Sheriff Wood, his department, and the progress that has been recognized in Meigs County. In a statement released by the team, the group described what they do as, “Notably, the group’s mission is dedicated to assisting the sheriff’s office, by partnering with our community, for a safe environment for the county’s residents.”

Santa Claus gives a child a high five during breakfast with Shop-with-a-Cop. The program is one that has benefitted from the Loyalty is Forever fundraisers. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.

The fundraiser will assist with funding as it has in the past, benefitting programs targeted at both the elderly and youth. They also aid in financing needed equipment that is not able to be funded through the sheriff’s normal budget.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Thirty-One and Basket Games is the main fundraising effort for the year for the group. In addition to the games, multiple vendors will be on hand as well. In addition to Thirty-One and Longaberger vendors, there will Origami Owl, Doterra and Tupperware available. Added this year as well are Cat’s Meow of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. They will be for sale at the event. Some signed by three Meigs County Sheriffs will be up for prizes as well.

Two former Meigs County Sheriffs along with the current sheriff sign Cat’s Meow of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. From are Bob Beegle, Keith Wood, and Ralph Trussell. Submitted photo.

There will be door prizes and the friendly Ugly Christmas Sweater contest for all of those “brave enough to don their Ugly Christmas Sweater,” according to organizers. Meigs County Commissioner Randy Smith will once again volunteer as Bingo Caller.

Currently the group is asking for individuals and businesses to assist with sponsorship for the 2017 Ugly Christmas Sweater Thirty-One and Basket Games. Any individual or business can sponsor or co-sponsor one of 24 games, which range in cost from $75 to $350. Donations can be mailed to Lori Miller at P.O. Box 163, Tuppers Plains, Ohio and made payable to Loyalty is Forever. For questions call Tina Wood Richards at 740-416-9073 or Lori Miller at 740-331-0394.

Tickets are available at Home National Bank in Racine (see Sarah Allen) and both Pomeroy Farmers Bank locations, as well as the Tuppers Plains location, at a cost of 20 games for $20. The group invites everyone to like their Facebook page as well titled We Support the Meigs County Sheriff’s Department and share the event.