Community service opportunities for faculty and staff during the holidays

In the spirit of the holidays, EHE offers virtual opportunities for our faculty and staff to give back during this season. Learn more about the agencies our college will focus on this year.

My Very Own Blanket and STAR House

Create a no-sew fleece blanket to donate to those in need at one of two local charities:

• My Very Own Blanket (MVOB) donates blankets to children in foster care. The organization is dedicated to warming the heart of every foster care child with a blanket to give them a feeling of comfort, security and – most of all – a smile.
• Star House provides blankets to homeless youth and their small children.

Blankets are easy and fun to make! Instructions can be found at myveryownblanket.org. We encourage anyone interested to make their blanket at home, either alone or even with co-workers virtually. Each blanket typically takes 40 minutes. 

Once your blanket is complete, please:

• Send a photo of you with your blanket and email to ehe-events@osu.edu so we can compile and share with the rest of the college.
• Drop off your blanket to the location in your building:

• Please drop off your blanket by Dec. 16 so they can be delivered to the appropriate locations before the holidays.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots collects and distributes millions of toys to children each year. In the Columbus area, the Lima company 3d Battalion 25th Marines works hard to provide toys to area children who otherwise would go without.

Online monetary donations can be sent through Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Drop off locations will be available closer to the holidays. Check back at the local Toys For Tots website for sites near you.

STAR House

Star House is a social service agency that operates Central Ohio's only drop-in center for youth, ages 14-24, and their small children who are experiencing homelessness. We offer young people a safe respite from the streets, immediate access to basic needs and connections to stabilizing resources, such as housing, transportation, health care, employment, education, addiction services, legal aid, government benefits, ID cards and more. Donations can be made through the organization's Amazon wishlist.

First Community Church’s Heart to Heart Food Pantry

First Community Church’s Heart to Heart Food Pantry, a mission of the church at 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Marble Cliff. Volunteers stock shelves, fill shopping bags with food, pick up donations from stores and assist when clients come for food. Due to COVID, the pantry is now drive thru. Sign up on the mission's website.