The Truth Staff
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers gathered on Sunday nights, January 8, at the Hampton Inn on Secor Road to celebrate a successful year of giving to the community and to honor those in the community who have made that giving possible.
During the meeting, President Earl Mack and Public Information Officer Fred LeFebvre introduced the honorees in attendance and noted the contributions they had made – from food to funds to supplies – that TBS had donated to those in need.
Among the honorees present were Ben Frobose of Frobose Meat Locker, who has provided food for families to Aayan Naim, a musician who has helped TBS work with youngsters, to Sheila Cook, of MLK Academy for Boys, who has assisted TBS with educational projects – to name a few.
Other honorees were Jim Hodulik and Tony Bilancini of Swig Restaurant; Fred and Chanel Dedrick of Iron Bean; Brad and Jim Regness of Off The Rails Food Trolley; Dean El-Joubeily of The Crave Ave Cave; Jeffrey Clegg of Toledo Memorial Park; Marvin Hillery of Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls;Matt Simpson of Durocher’s; Tim Whetro of Whetro Wealth Management; Tom Pruss of Northcoast Print Mail Marketing.
This past year, the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers fed over 300 shut in veterans on Veterans Day, provided over $5,000 in scholarships to local students, presented gun safety programs to numerous grade schools and provided Christmas gifts to over 400 children in the Toledo area.
Following their monthly meeting, the Buffalo Soldiers and their guests feasted on a catered meal from O’Henry’s Kitchen On Wheels, a locally-owned food truck and the certificates of appreciation were given out.
There are numerous upcoming projects TBS will be hosting in the next several weeks including participating in the MLK Unity Day event at UT Savage Arena on January 16; a Young At Heart Luncheon at First Presbyterian Church on February 9; an Ella P. Stewart Father/Daughter Dance on February 16; a Rotary Club of Perrysburg Luncheon on February 24; a Home and Garden Show at Seagate Center on February 24.
In addition, TBS will take about 100 children to a performance of The Lion King at the Stranahan Theater in April of May.