🌱Collecting Blankets For Those In Need + Don't Get Scammed, Verify!

Hi there, Avon-Avon Lake. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news about:

• Keeping those in need warm this winter!
• Are you looking for a job?
• Don't be scammed!

But first, today's weather:

Winds subsiding with some sun. High: 44 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories today in Avon-Avon Lake:

1. With the goal of keep those in need to stay warm, the North Coast Rotary Club and Foundation is pleased to announce a new initiative. Blankets for Beds will be kicking off Wednesday, March 1st. The goal is to collect 2,500 blankets to give to local non-profit organizations that will distribute them to people in need. The organizations that will be benefitting from this project are Blessing House, Community Resource Services, Good Knights of Lorain County, Neighborhood Alliance and Valor Home. In a press release, Joe Matuscak, President of North Coast Rotary said. “We are excited to partner with these organizations to provide the gift of warmth to many local residents.” Those interested in supporting Blankets for Beds can drop off new or gently used blankets at any one of the three Ridge Cleaners locations including; 32805 Pin Oak Parkway in Avon Lake, 32488 Center Ridge Road in North Ridgeville, and 900 Amchester Drive in Amherst. You can bring the blankets inside or use the drive-thru during regular business hours. (Please don’t put them in the after-hours drop box). Each blanket will be cleaned and prepared for distribution. Thank you to Ridge Cleaners and the French Creek Family YMCA for assisting with this project. If you have questions about this program, please contact Paul Forthofer at Paul.Forthofer@UHhospitals.org. (North Coast Rotary Club)
2. If you’re looking for a new job or thinking about a career change, the best place to start looking for the perfect work fit is close to home throughout Avon-Avon Lake. Whether you're looking for full-time or part-time work, we've got you covered. Each week, Patch and ZipRecruiter compile a list of the latest local jobs posted in the region. Here are some of the top jobs now available in Avon-Avon Lake and across greater Ohio. (Avon-Avon Lake Patch)
3. In an effort to help educate community members and combat cycber scams, The Knights of Columbus (K of C) in Avon Lake invited FBI Special Agent Jeffrey P. Kassouf to give a talk on cybersecurity. With 20 years experience Kassouf is in the criminal, cyber, response and services branch division in the FBI’s Cleveland field office.He reportedly warned those in attendance to be wary of text and email messages that ask for payments for what may appear to be an emergency situation from a friend or relative. In addition, he warned against grandparent, romance, tech support and government imperonator scams, as well as, sweepstakes, lottery, charities, disasters and “sextortion”(extortion pertaining to possible sexual conduct that the person may want to keep quiet). According to cleveland.com, "Kassouf said, “Verify, verify, verify.” Just a small amount of time online, he said, can usually expose the scammer." (cleveland.com)

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Today in Avon-Avon Lake:

• Avon Lake Democrats Club Meeting (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Cleveland Browns: "Every year, the Browns Foundation awards two students with the Marion Motley Scholarship, a $10,000 scholarship which honors Browns fullback and linebacker Marion Motley, who helped break the color barrier in the NFL.BlackHistoryMonth" (Cleveland Browns via Instagram)
• Support Avon Schools: "A sneak peak of Dr. Seuss Week at East and the AELC! Our parent volunteers are absolutely incredible! We can’t wait for the kids to see this." (Support Avon Schools via Facebook)
• Avon Lake City Schools: "Congratulations to the Shoremen Bowling team on advancing to the OHSAA Division I State Bowling Tournament. They will bowl on March 11 at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl for the State Championship." (Avon Lake City Schools via Facebook)
• Avon Lake City Schools: "We love this program! Thank you Avon Lake City Schools Foundation and to all our students caring for the plants!" (Avon Lake City Schools via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Avon-Avon Lake Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com