The West Woods Nature Center’s Oak Room filled with the heartfelt ambiance of the holidays Dec. 6, highlighting the true spirit and meaning of the season.
The West Woods Nature Center’s Oak Room filled with the heartfelt ambiance of the holidays Dec. 6, highlighting the true spirit and meaning of the season.
The fresh-cut scent of evergreens mixed with joyous conversations as participants celebrated Geauga Park District’s 12th annual Greens for Giving event.
“The event has become an annual holiday tradition for our county … with neighbor truly helping neighbor,” GPD Special Events Coordinator Holly Sauder said. “It is a make and give event. Participants come to experience the fun of creating something special and for the feeling of making a difference for their community. People are often looking for ways to give back at this time of year and Geauga Park District is glad to host such an opportunity.”
The popular event, held across four sessions, focused on a 2025 goal of creating 320 centerpieces — 220 for Geauga County Department on Aging’s home delivered meals and 100 for recipients of the Geauga Veterans Food Pantry.
The centerpieces have gone to the department on aging since 2015 and the pantry since 2019.
Chester Township resident Donna Lauerhahs, a volunteer driver for the department on aging’s home delivered meals, participated along with her husband, Eric Custis, and their, Sam Custis.
“Sam has joined me a couple of times for his high school service hours and plans to use Greens for Giving toward his service hours, as well,” Donna said. “It’s fun both making these beautiful centerpieces and delivering them to our county’s seniors, who appreciate this special act of kindness during the holidays. I like being part of the community of people who help others in our very own community.”
The family are strong supporters of GPD programs and parks year-round.
“We have been able to do things we never would have been able to do on our own, such as kayaking at Lake Kelso with a naturalist,” Donna said. “Speaking of naturalists, they are fun, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Every single one of them seems to have their dream job working for Geauga parks.”
Sam said he wouldn’t have even known he liked archery or kayaking until he tried them through the park district.
“Some of the things I value the most in life are my sense of purpose, connection with others, kindness, health (including mental health) and contentment,” Donna added. “Serving Geauga County’s veterans and seniors taps into all of these values in one way or another. I feel like I really make a positive impact in their lives in such a simple way. Sometimes, it’s the little acts that let them know that people care.”
Newbury Township residents David and Lauren Harth enjoy the event so much, it has become a holiday tradition.
“It’s so much fun,” David said.
Sauder expressed gratitude to Bob and Amy Rogish, of Rogish Farm in Chester Township, for donating the evergreens that make the program possible.
The farm has been partnering with GPD for 10 of the program’s 12 years.
“It’s such a feel-good program that brings joy into the homes of Geauga County seniors,” Amy said.
The Rogishs donate greens from cut-off boughs, trees that just don’t meet cut-your-own standards and extra tips of branches from wreath-making.
“The Christmas tree is the center of the home this time of year and some folks don’t have a real tree inside,” Bob said. “The volunteers who put together the centerpieces are very talented and turning the piles of greenery into a beautiful centerpiece will add the evergreen scent and festive spirit to the recipient’s home.”
The smell of fresh evergreens puts everyone in a happy holiday mood, Sauder added.
It takes a crew of dedicated park volunteers to make the event possible, she said.
“The outdoor crew of Brad Sauder, Doug Hodakievik and Matt Smith cut the evergreen branches down, working outside no matter the weather. (The) indoor crew of Jan Hodakievik, Cindy Coffey, Sarah Smith, Karen Shisila and Mike Hurt help sort the greens, assist visitors in making the centerpieces, pack the finished projects for delivery and ensure the event runs smoothly,” Sauder said. “Talented volunteers Jane Albert, Elaine Carter and Karen Shisila lend their skill in the months before the event by making the bows for each centerpiece.”
Greens for Giving is Sauder’s favorite event of the year.
“I look forward to seeing the community come together to brighten the day of someone else,” she said. “Everyone in attendance arrives in a good mood and leaves in an even more joyful mood. We never meet the final recipients of the centerpieces, but the department on aging and the veterans food pantry share the joy that the greens are so appreciated and treasured by those who receive them. That’s what makes the event so special.”
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
5199, 5196 – Chester Township residents Donna Lauerhahs, her husband, Eric Custis, and their son, Sam Custis, enjoy creating holiday centerpieces at Geauga Park District’s annual Greens for Giving event Dec. 6.
5200, 5202 – Chester Township residents Eric Custis and his son, Sam Custis, create centerpieces to help brighten a Geauga County senior’s holiday season during the Geauga Park District’s annual Greens for Giving event Dec. 6.
5204 – The West Wood’s Nature Center’s Oak Room became a Santa-like workshop Dec. 6, as participants created 320 centerpieces for Geauga County seniors in one day.
5208 – Geauga Park District volunteers Sarah Smith and Doug and Jan Hodakievic help spread holiday cheer and goodwill during Geauga Park District’s Greens for Giving event Dec. 6.
