Civic group to host dinner to raise money for beautification efforts

COAL GROVE — When a Grinch tried to steal Christmas from a small village, their decorations pillaged, the community banded together, their hearts growing three sizes bigger.

After the wiring for Coal Grove’s Paul Porter Park Christmas display was stolen last year, Betterment Club president Vicki McDaniel said she didn’t know how they were going to pull off the annual attraction.

They estimated that about $1,500 to $2,000 of electrical wiring was taken from storage at the park, possibly because of copper in the wiring.

“I just stood there, I was in shock,” McDaniel said when she realized what had happened.

When word got out that Christmas in the park may be cancelled, McDaniel said people and businesses in Coal Grove, Ironton and South Point began to donate money.

“I couldn’t believe all the kindness,” she said. “We were a few days late (lighting the park), but it worked out. And I thought it was one of the prettiest years.”

Village employees, betterment club members and workers from Judge Clark Collins court program put in many hours to reinstall the wiring and light up the park.

“If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have gotten it all done,” McDaniel said.

Coal Grove Police Chief, Eric Spurlock, said those responsible for the theft were never arrested due to lack of evidence. Spurlock agreed that thanks to those that donated to restore what was lost, the village came out ahead.

Since the break-in, the Betterment Club purchased a new security system for all the buildings at the park and the Jae Roush Building.

“It’s a shame we had to do that, because it took the club’s money that could have gone out into the village,” McDaniel said. “I hope it will work.”

Two hundred new chairs were also purchased for the building and a new train for the park’s Christmas display.

To help replenish funds for the group, the Betterment Club will have a spaghetti dinner at the Jae Roush Building on Oct. 21.

From 4 to 7 p.m., the club will serve spaghetti with homemade meat sauce, cole slaw, garlic bread, soft drinks and desserts. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Take-out will be available.

“All the money we make goes back toward the village,” McDaniel said.

Throughout the year, the Betterment Club works to beautify the village, decorating for the seasons.

The group also has a Breakfast with Santa with the Lions Club and serves hot chocolate and cookies after the village’s Christmas parade.