We Are Ohio Gives Back

DONATES $10,000 TO TOYS FOR TOTS AND $10,000 TO OHIO FOODBANKS

COLUMBUS – December 20, 2011 – In the spirit of the season, We Are Ohio donated $20,000 to two charities Tuesday on behalf of the voters and supporters who came together in a nearly year-long battle to veto Senate Bill 5 by a 61-39 percent margin on Election Day.

Maureen Reedy, 2002 Ohio Teacher of the Year from Upper Arlington, presented a check for $10,000 to Toys for Tots from We Are Ohio.

“We Are Ohio is giving back because we were blessed in our effort to have 2.1 million voters, 1.3 million petition signers and more than 17,000 volunteers send the message throughout Ohio and our nation that we cannot build up our state by tearing down the Middle Class,” Reedy said. “We learned we can accomplish anything if we come together, support and help one another during challenging times.”

“This donation will help put smiles on the faces of thousands of children this holiday season. We want to thank We Are Ohio for their generosity,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. Jose Ranero, who accepted the check on behalf of Toys for Tots.

Leonard Moore, a word processing specialist for Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Division of Parole and Community Services, presented a $10,000 check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks from We Are Ohio.

“We Are Ohio asks our supporters across the state to join us and contribute what they can to their charity of choice. A list of charities can be found at http://www.weareohio.com/giveback and a Facebook status photo for giving back is at http://www.facebook.com/weareohio.”

“Public and private sector employees have a long history of donating to food banks across Ohio during the holiday season and all year long. We want to thank We Are Ohio for continuing this tradition of public and private sector employees giving back,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Second Harvest Food banks executive director.

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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.