Canal Winchester Messenger - March 7th, 2021

PAGE 12 - MESSENGER - March 7, 2021
Career Closet provides professional clothes to those in need
By Rick Palsgrove
Managing Editor
“What has been amazing is the
amount of local support we are receiving.
This event seems to have grown its
own wings in the last couple weeks.
Our schools reached out, local business
owners, residents, and Canal
Winchester Human Services all want to
become involved. We truly want to be
support for community members who
are looking for jobs and help them succeed.”
- Bethany Ferguson
To dress for success, one must have the
clothes to begin with and sometimes people
do not have the resources to make this happen
themselves.
So, Canal Winchester residents Bethany
Ferguson and Cindi Lynch stepped in with
the creation of a Canal Winchester “career
closet” to provide free professional clothing
to people who are interviewing for jobs or in
need of such clothing.
The first career closet was held March 6
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hope United
Methodist Church 15 W. Columbus St.,
Canal Winchester.
It is the first of what they hope will be a
regular event.
“As of right now this is the only scheduled
event,” said Ferguson. “Our hope is, as
we learn the processes of this type of community
support, we will be able to open
doors on a regular schedule. We are taking
donations for professional wear and have
had incredible community support from residents,
the school board, CW Human Services,
and local businesses. At first we were
just planning to make this a one time event,
but after the outpouring of support from residents
and businesses we are going to make
this an ongoing service.”
According to Ferguson, the idea for the
career closet arose when Lynch was collecting
items for foster families, homeless, and
another dress for success event.
“When we realized how many people
were donating and what an impact it was
making we thought that having events
within our own community would be fantastic,”
said Ferguson. “Hosting something
local would be able to make a bigger impact
here in Canal Winchester.”
Lynch said they realized the job market
has changed over the years and they wanted
to ensure every resident had a pathway to
success no matter what career is pursued.
“The nursing home markets are in high
demand now,” said Lynch. “These are lower
paying jobs. We would like to eventually collect
gently used scrubs for these residents.
We need to look outside the past ‘career
clothing’ and realize times are changing and
we must change with them. Casual work
clothes seem to be in demand. The actual
name of the career closet will be the Canal
Winchester CommUNITY Closet.”
Ferguson said the mission is to help people
help themselves.
“Cindi and I were both single mothers
who used a service similar to this years
ago,” said Ferguson. “What a service like
this does is empower men and women to feel
more self confidence and dress for the job
they are needing and wanting to get. Both
of us were strapped for cash as young single
mothers, not able to afford clothing for a
professional setting. Being able to use a career
wardrobe with the support of the community
was invaluable to both of us. We
want to host this service for our community
in hopes to encourage successful residents
and families.”
Ferguson said she and Lynch are accepting
professional clothing donations at each
of their homes, at 27 W. Columbus St. and
7574 Embers Lane both in Canal Winchester.
Items to be donated can include gently
worn professional items, both men’s and
women’s clothing (all adult sizes), shoes,
jewelry, and accessories.
“Ideally we are hoping for people who are
in need of professional outfits to join us and
go shopping,” said Ferguson. “Other communities
host events similar to this, but we
www.columbusmessenger.com
are hoping to make an impact in our area.
All items are free.”
Ferguson said they are learning about
how they can help support their community.
“What has been amazing is the amount
of local support we are receiving,” said Ferguson.
“This event seems to have grown its
own wings in the last couple weeks. Our
schools reached out, local business owners,
residents, and Canal Winchester Human
Services all want to become involved. We
truly want to be support for community
members who are looking for jobs and help
them succeed.”
Ferguson added they have people who
are looking to partner with them to help
support people in resume writing, Zoom interviews,
job searching, etc.
“I cannot say with 100 percent certainty
what this will look like in the future, but
our hope is to create a service for people to
use that embodies the support people may
need to get back to work or find their next
step in their careers,” said Ferguson. “So a
fully rounded scope to help support families
to succeed financially by assisting with the
tools one needs to find that type of success.”
“This truly has taken on a life of its own,”
said Lynch. “The community, as usual, has
been so amazing. It is quite humbling. If
anyone would like to volunteer to help with
the event on March 6, or to help sort or organize,
contact me at 614-578-5066.”
Moses-Mouser Eye Care
Dr. Joshua Morris is an Optometrist who grew
up in Bellville, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate
degree at the University of Akron, where
he graduated magna cum laude with honors.
Dr. Morris attended The Ohio State University
College of Optometry and graduated cum laude
with honors to receive his Doctor of Optometry Degree in May 2019. After
completing his studies, he was awarded the “Primary Vision Care Clinical
Excellence Award”, in 2019.
Dr. Morris is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio
Optometric Association, and The Ohio State Alumni Association. He is
excited to practice full scope optometry, diagnosing and treating a variety
of ocular disorders and diseases in patients of all ages, but has a special
interest in contact lenses and ocular disease.
On a personal note, Dr. Morris and his wife Tess, enjoy spending time with
their family, friends, and their Bernese Mountain dog Maverick, cheering
on The Ohio State Buckeyes, trying new foods, and exploring Columbus
breweries.
Q: What are floaters and what causes them?
A: Floaters are small dark shapes that move across your vision. They can appear
as dots, threads, squiggly lines, or even like cobwebs. Most floaters are caused
by normal changes in the eye. As you age, small strands of vitreous (gel-like fluid
that fills your eye) can clump together and cast a shadow on your retina (the
light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Those shadows appear as floaters
that drift across your vision. You may notice floaters more when you look at a
bright background, like a computer screen or a blue sky.
Q: How often should someone with new
floaters get an eye exam?
A: Someone experiencing new floaters, a large increase in the number of floaters,
or flashing lights should see an eye care professional immediately. Sometimes
floaters have a more serious cause, including: infection, injury, inflammation,
bleeding, retinal tear or retinal detachment.
Someone with a few stable floaters should see an eye care professional at least
once a year for a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
Schedule your comprehensive eye exam
today with Dr. Morris
6441 Winchester Blvd. E., Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-963-3827