December 17 , 2020 The Beacon • 29
COTC students impacted by pandemic receive aid
Central Ohio Technical College ( COTC ) distributed $ 191,641 in autumn semester to students who lost income as a direct result of the pandemic . The funds were part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act distributed to COTC by the state of Ohio .
This recent distribution is the second installment of emergency grants specific to the pandemic . In April , COTC received
DAWN from Page 27
and appreciates the intimacy , with more people willing to help each other than in a large metropolitan area . She said people are connected by family , jobs and more , and she said she is blessed to be a part of that .
To make the county stronger , White stressed the need to get industry in here . She recognizes small businesses are booming , but COVID is
HUNTERS from Page 28
Erie fishing trips also are popular choices . “ But we don ’ t want people to think they have to hunt . We have some that just want to target shoot , and that ’ s great . It ’ s whatever they want to do ,” Melear said .
One of their biggest challenges is finding landowners who would be willing to let them hunt on their land . “ Many are worried about liability issues . But landowners are never responsible for anything that may happen . Everyone signs waivers , and Freedom Hunters has insurance to cover anything . We just federal funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund ( HEERF ), a portion of the CARES Act allocated to higher education . A total of $ 846,042 was distributed to 518 students , and the funds were exhausted by June 9 . When the state gave a portion of its CARES Act funds to COTC in July , the college decided to make available more emergency grants .
In addition to the limited CARES Act funding , COTC regularly has two emergency grant funds available to ease the financial burden when the unexpected arises . You can donate to these funds at cotc . edu / give , or mail a check to Advancement Office , 1179 University Dr ., Newark OH 43055 . Make checks payable to COTC and write “ emergency grant ” on the memo line . making it difficult for them with the mandates . She would like to see stability in the workforce brought back to Coshocton .
White said , “ Regardless of what has happened , Coshocton has maintained its population density . We are survivors .”
White would recommend Leadership Coshocton to others as each group brings something different to the program . She said of her group , “ We ’ re all ‘ workers .’ That ’ s what ’ s interesting . It brings different people from the community together to work together .”
White closed by saying , “ I ’ m really thankful to be part of ( Leadership Coshocton ). I ’ ve met people who were strangers , but we ’ ll all become friends when we ’ re done : people from all different occupations — agriculture , the military , developmental disabilities , counselor ... what a group .” need more places to take our veterans ,” Melear said .
Melear said he is willing to talk to any landowner and explain more about the program . “ We just need more places ,” he said .
Another challenge is funding . Everything they do is made possible by donations .
“ I want people to know that anything they donate is tax-deductible and that their donations go 110 % to our veterans and military families . Jessica and I always put in money for events too . We don ’ t get paid for this ; all donations help the families we serve ,” Melear said .
Melear said he also is looking for local veterans and active-duty service members who might be interested in an outdoor adventure or to volunteer at an event . “ Military have their own language . Being around others who understand can be a huge relief and release to the people who are participating ,” he said .
Anyone who would like to volunteer , donate or talk to Melear about the possible use of land can email him at melear @ freedomhunters . org .
“ It ’ s just amazing to see their smiles , hear them laughing and having a good time . It helps me as much as it does them — maybe even more ,” Melear said .
BF-00500628
BF-00496475
NEW !
Aluminum Custom
TRUCK CAPS
You choose features – we build
» Sturdy in-stock shells » Solid rivet design » Loads of capacity ! » Maintenance Free Aluminum
When submitting letters to the editor
you must include a phone number so we can reach you if we have questions . If you have any questions , you are welcome to call or e-mail us –
740-622-0244 ext . 7702 jsellers @ alonovus . com
We cannot respond to you if we do not have a way to contact you .
Great for roofing and construction crews !
Call Jason 330-988-3950 Or Louis 330-466-1176
Fax 330-695-9981 | Jachoj15 @ gmail . com Or stop in
9675 Harrison Rd . ( 1 / 2 mi W of Maysville ) Apple Creek , OH 44606
Have a Wondeful Holiday Season !
Best Wishes & Happy New Year to All !
Christi Hondel , Barber
740-622-8991
712 Pine St . Coshocton Mon . 8:30am-4:30pm | Thur . -Fri . 8:30am-5:30pm | Sun . 1:30-3:30 | Closed Tues ., Wed . & Sat .
BF-00500656