By Journal Staff Writer
At approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, the City of Toledo’s, Department of Neighborhoods began distributing free disposable face masks to the residence of the Smith Park area, which faces Fernwood Ave. in the west side of Toledo.
Cars began pulling into the parking lot, where volunteers would ask them, “How many people are living in your home;” that way, the volunteers could give out enough masks to those in a home.
Instead of driving, some people walked up to the park, a few with their children, to pick up their face masks.
Monica L. Smith, neighborhood navigator, for the Department of Neighborhoods, told The Toledo Journal they had 5000 masks on hand which were donated by Fiat Chrysler.
“A lot of people still don’t have face coverings, so we’re attempting to help those people protect themselves,” she said.
Michael Hutcherson, and LaToya Barber were with their children when they received their masks.
“We’re getting masks to make sure we’re protected from the virus. This is really a scary time, so we’re making sure we’re safe,” Mr. Hutcherson said.
Ms. Barber said, “Besides being protected, we want to make sure we have extra masks.”
She said her children don’t have a problem with wearing face covering. In fact, she said, “They see it as a type of game; they love it.”
Accompanying the Department of Neighborhoods was the Ohio Unity Coalition. Their mission was to register people to vote, and get people to fill out the 2020 Census.
Anita Madison, Toledo coordinator for the Ohio Unity Coalition was explaining to people the importance of completing the census.
“Filling out the census determines who how much money a given area gets from the government. In fact, nothing can be mentioned that isn’t affected by the census; that’s how important it is,” she said.
