Why not take a couple of hours this season to assist in getting food to the less fortunate in West Park? In just three hours,  St. Pat's Hunger Center will distribute bags of food to more than 300 families the weekend before Thanksgiving, including a turkey and the other ingredients needed for a nutritious Thanksgiving dinner.

With the closing of the Bread Basket Food Pantry this year, the need has grown significantly at St. Pat's, and they need your help. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, at 4427 Rocky River Drive, you can be part of the team that assembles and distributes the food to area families. No need to register in advance. Simply mark your calendar and show up! Volunteer for an hour or three hours -- the work will be done by noon.

Can't help that day but still want to make a difference? Mail a contribution (checks payable to St. Pat's Hunger Center) to 4427 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44135, or simply drop one off.

Santa and Super Heroes to Descend Here

Help greet Santa and Mrs. Claus when they arrive in Kamm's Corners by sleigh on Friday, December 5! The fun begins with an old-fashioned sing along at 6 p.m. under the clock at Lorain Avenue and Rocky River Drive.  

The West Park Kiwanis Club will serve hot chocolate, while the Academy Chorale, an a cappella choir from St. Joseph Academy, sings holiday tunes. A ceremonial "turning on of the lights" will take place followed by a brief presentation to the first place winner of the Downtown Kamm's Corners storefront decorating contest. The singing will resume with all joining in the caroling until Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by horse-drawn sleigh to greet the crowd.  

Super Heroes will join as the crowd follows Santa to Kamms Plaza for the 18th Annual Winter Wonderland, taking place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments, face painters, a balloon twister, and caricatures by Adam Pate -- the fastest caricaturist in the world -- add to the fun. A Chinese raffle takes place at the end of the evening for adults. See details in the flyer. This free event is sponsored by Kamms Plaza Shopping Center.

Looking for office or retail space in the heart of Kamm's Corners? KCDC recently acquired the Alber Building, 17019-25 Lorain Avenue. The 10,000-square-foot building will be renovated for retail and office space.

• Retail (1st Floor)
• Office (2nd Floor)
• Rents range from $9 to $11 per square foot
• Off-street parking in rear
• Excellent location
• Close to retail, restaurants, bars, and the Cleveland Metroparks

For more information, contact Ben Campbell at 216-252-6559, ext. 1200 or e-mail [email protected].  

Shop Near Home on Saturday, November 29

In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need -- getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than every before.  

Here in Kamm's Corners, locally owned, independent businesses return a great deal to our community! It's called the multiplier effect: one dollar spent at a locally owned business comes back to us through city taxes, employer wages, and contributions to local non-profit organizations.  

Let's think of businesses closest to home when shopping this holiday seasons, especially on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For a list of ideas, see a reprint from our magazine, here.