CLI Incorporated P.O. Box 508 Norwalk, Ohio 44857 CLIsupports.com 419-706-5137

January 31st, 2022

Are you on CLI's newsletter email list?  Click here to sign up!

In case you're wondering what day it is-- according to nationaldaycalendar.com it might be:

January 31 National Backward Day National Hot Chocolate Day National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day National Bubble Wrap Day February 1 National Baked Alaska Day National Dark Chocolate Day National Freedom Day (Freedom From Slavery) National Get Up Day National Serpent Day National Texas Day February International Days February 2 National Heavenly Hash Day National Tater Tot Day National Groundhog Day National Girls and Women in Sports Day  February 3 National Carrot Cake Day National Day the Music Died Day National Missing Persons Day National Women Physicians Day Optimist Day

February 4 National Create a Vacuum day National Hemp Day National Homemade Soup Day National Thank a Mail Carrier Day National Wear Red Day Bubble Gum Day  February 5 National Shower with a Friend Day National Weatherperson’s Day World Nutella Day Ice Cream for Breakfast Day  National Play Outside Day February 6 National Frozen Yogurt Day National Lame Duck Day National Chopsticks Day

If you haven't checked out AOS's space on Main Street in Norwalk, you are missing something pretty cool and local! Tracey, Jen & Sandee were there for a clay studio session on Friday. CLI does help people access, AOS-- but you can also check out this community resource your self in person or online at www.artistsopenstudioinc.org

You can check out all of CLI's content by visiting CLI's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGTUwMT41Kb4CLLoZ3BL1Fg Past newsletters with pictures are on our website at: www.CLIsupports.com

John's usual-- Winter is still here. CLI had to cancel on Monday and Tuesday last week due to weather. I hate doing that for 2 reasons. We know that most people really count on us maintaining the predictable calendar and that closing causes problems for our clients. From a business standpoint, CLI is paid to deliver services. We are paid $0 for days that we don't help anyone do something. But, just like all of you, the bills do not care about the weather. Every day we cancel programs is a pretty significant cost for CLI. BUT-- we have to error on the side of safety. So as soon as enough area schools start closing and we start imagining that there's a chance we'll put a van in the ditch-- it feels irresponsible to put all of our vans on the road. I know that many of you know that we had a van go off the road last Thursday afternoon. It didn't spin out, just slid to the side of Route 20 and sank to its axles in the snow. Everyone was fine and we were quickly able to shuttle people home using different vans and Norbs pulled us back on the road without damage. They're calling for more wintery weather this week, so please pay attention to the one-calls. We often start with a delay, but then if conditions don't improve or if the forecast gets worse, we cancel. Let any of us know if you need to add a number or an email address to this one-call system. We can add as many people as you need us to. That's all I have for this week. Try to enjoy the snow. Believe it or not, it really won't be around for that long. But whatever you do, keep yourself & people around you safe! John

FAQ of the week: Q: How old is CLI? A: CLI was incorporated in 1976 to be the private, not-for-profit partner to the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities (HCBDD). For its first 40 years, CLI existed as just an employer of workers with disabilities. HCBDD provided all staffing and client services during this period. In 2015-- due to recent changes in Ohio Laws that made it illegal for HCBDD to provide direct services paid by Medicaid and have decision-making control of those Medicaid funds-- CLI's Board of Directors agreed that CLI would expand its role to become a provider of services too. In 2016 CLI hired its own management and staff and HCBDD stopped providing direct services. So, CLI has been incorporated as a business for more than 50 years-- but CLI has only been a provider of actual services for 6 years.

Firelands Local LLC

I know it has been a few minutes since there was an update.   We are finalizing our grant application with OhioEPA to go towards the purchase of a collection vehicle. The primary use of this truck will be for the collection of plastic wrap. This will also include boat wrap as we are partnering with several organizations to help facilitate this activity. You will certainly be hearing more about this project once we are approved for our grant. We are shipping out 8,000 pounds of baled plastic today.   January has been extremely busy from a production standpoint as well.  Shredding: We shredded just over 90,000 pounds of paper. That is 45 tons in Jan. alone. This will help save the equivalent of 765 trees from being harvested. We were also able to recycle 11.5 tons of cardboard.  In January we also completed over 100,000 units of production.   We completed our largest single job ever in January. The total weight on the shred project was 42,952 lbs. of paper.   Please be aware of your health in this cold weather. No matter how healthy you are, cold is cold. Limit your skin exposure as much as you can.

James Johnson james@firelandslocal.com 419-921-6400

Good Works Cafe

CLI's Good Works Cafe offers a free community lunch every Friday afternoon at the Norwalk Reservoir Clubhouse. Thanks to the generous donations (money & food), CLI is able to take care of our neighbors and also get some real life restaurant and customer service job training. If you'd like to learn more or donate-- please contact Rhonda White by phone at 419-706-5136 -- or by email at Rhonda@CLIsupports.com

Videos of the week-- got one you'd like to share? Send it in!

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌