For the second year, “Andrew’s Angelz” are attempting to gather enough gifts to make the holiday wishes of local, needy families come true.

Gina Fielding, social media director for Toledo Free Press, organized the effort, deemed the “Santa Project.” She also recently organized a Halloween costume drive.

Last year, the Santa Project collected gifts for 31 kids.

“It was very successful. I always get a little bit nervous,” Fielding said. “But this city always amazes me. They always come through.”

This year, there are 46 children who need gifts, but more will be added if there are enough donations. About half of the children live in a battered women’s shelter.

“These poor kids have left everything they had behind, so some of the things they left behind are replacement items,” Fielding said.

Some of the mothers are asking for items like diapers and baby food. A 16-year-old girl wants a school uniform, Fielding said.

“A lot of them are asking for a lot of basic needs like pots and pans. They’re starting over. The biggest thing with them is about giving the women hope, not just gifts,” Fielding said.

Some of the children want what many do — video games and other toys.

“A video game might seem frivolous to someone who is looking from the outside in … but for kids, it’s hours of escape from real life,” Fielding said.

She encouraged everyone to donate a dollar so she can add more families to the Santa Project.

“People have $1 of change in their couch cushion. If everybody donated $1, we would be able to take care of all of these kids and then some.”

Gently used items are accepted.

“The rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t want to give it to your own child, you wouldn’t want to give it to another child,” Fielding said.

Wish lists are available at http://www.facebook.com/events/492507920793358/. Items that are not on the lists, but are still age-appropriate, are accepted.

Donations can be made in several ways. Monetary donations can be made at http://andrewsangelz.chipin.com/andrews-angelz-2nd-annual-santa-project. Items can be dropped off at Cumulus, 3225 Arlington Ave., Toledo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 21. Pickups can also be arranged through Fielding at (567) 694-8204. The goal is to have everything collected by Dec. 23.

Tags: Andrew Z, Christmas, Gina Fielding

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 at 1:32 pm and is filed under Charity, Philanthropy.
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On Halloween, kids can be anything from Spider-Man to a witch to the Little Mermaid. But not all families can afford to give their kids the chance to dress up as their heroes — which is why Gina Fielding organized Andrew Z’s Costume Giveaway.

“[Halloween is] basically a fantasy night for kids. They get to be whatever they want; they get free candy; they get to walk around after dark,” said Fielding, social media director for “Andrew Z in the Morning” and Toledo Free Press.

People can drop off costumes at one of five locations or call Fielding at (567) 694-8204 to arrange a pickup. During business hours, drop-off locations include TFP, 605 Monroe St., Toledo; Cumulus Studios, 3225 Arlington Ave., Toledo; Lucky Diamonds, 2007 N. Holland-Sylvania Ave., Toledo; Yeeha’s Buckin’ Bar and Grill, 3150 Navarre Ave., Oregon; and Halloween Express, 3448 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo. At Halloween Express, anyone who donates a kid’s costume can receive 15 percent off their purchases. All donated costumes will be sterilized.

The giveaway is set for 4-6 p.m. Oct 19 at the United Way of Greater Toledo building at 424 Jackson St., Downtown. There will be free pumpkins and face painting.

Fielding decided to organize a giveaway after she realized she had old costumes from her own kids lying around. “I called Andrew and said, ‘Let’s do something for Halloween,’” she said. “It’s a way to ease parents’ mind with the economy.”

She also pointed out that most costumes should be in good shape because they are usually only worn for a couple of hours.

After getting the radio personality involved, Fielding hit the Web to gather costumes and support.

“So many people are just like, ‘Yes!’ We ended up with a great response,” Fielding said. Still, if Fielding hopes to reach her goal of 100 costumes, more donations are needed.

Fielding was also inspired to organize the drive because of her own experiences.

“A few years back, I had some serious financial problems. I was on the receiving end of a lot of the charity and I believe in giving back,” she said.

In the neighborhood she was living in, “A lot of kids would come to the door in nothing but daddy’s basketball jersey and mommy’s eyeshadow under their eyes or no costume at all,” Fielding said, adding that in the choice between groceries and a costume, food wins. Even homemade costumes cost something, she added.

Fielding also said that not being able to afford a costume is probably harder on the parents than the children.

“It hurts. It’s very painful to not be able to do something as seemingly simple as a Halloween costume,” Fielding said.

Tags: Andrew Z, Gina Fielding, Halloween, Toledo Free Press, United Way

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 at 9:35 am and is filed under Halloween, Philanthropy, Star.
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Whether documenting a tense ballgame, chasing down elusive sources or crafting flowing narratives, journalism is not just a job — it is a way of life.

Toledo Free Press writers Sarah Ottney, Brigitta Burks and Caitlin McGlade and Sports Editor Zach Davis know all about that. Ottney and Burks are being promoted to managing editor and news editor, respectively. Gina Fielding has been named Social Networking Editor. McGlade and Davis are leaving the state for new opportunities.

Sarah Ottney

Ottney, 28, is an Oak Harbor native. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2006 with dual degrees in English and journalism. Ottney then moved to South Dakota for a reporting and copy editing job at the Aberdeen American News. For three years, Ottney wrote about a variety of topics, including outdoors, agriculture and features. She also designed news pages for print, including covers and sports.

She moved back to Northwest Ohio in 2009 to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.

Since taking her special sections editor job with Toledo Free Press in 2011, Ottney has organized sections small and large, covering topics ranging from weddings to Mud Hens Opening Day, from dining guides to the military.

“I like the challenge of finding a new angle to sections we do every year. It really lets me be creative. And every week it’s something different so I never get bored,” Ottney said.

She said she loves compiling the 90-page-plus print monster that is the annual Mud Hens Opening Day issue.

“The enthusiasm is contagious,” Ottney said. “Everyone is really excited about baseball starting again and there are so many facets to the Mud Hens that people may not have thought about before. Everyone involved with the Mud Hens is really passionate about what they do. I’m not really a baseball fan myself, but they won me over.”

As Ottney continues at Toledo Free Press, she looks forward to documenting Toledo’s growth.

“I’m enjoying watching Toledo come back from the recession,” she said. “I moved back here right in the middle of it and worked for AmeriCorps so I saw Toledo and its problems at their worst firsthand. I was able to put faces on a lot of our most difficult issues and it’s been neat to see how that experience has translated to make me a better journalist.”

Michael S. Miller, Toledo Free Press editor in chief, said Ottney is already a valuable staff member and her promotion will provide more opportunities for her to practice her craft.

“Sarah writes compelling, clean copy and has a deft hand editing others’ contributions,” Miller said. “Her new leadership role here will have a dramatic impact on our news coverage and social networking plans.”

Brigitta Burks

Burks, 25, comes to Toledo from the Cincinnati area. She graduated from Mount Notre Dame High School in 2006 and then attended Ohio University. After endless hours editing and writing at the student-run newspaper, The Post, Burks graduated from OU with a degree in journalism and specializations in history and women’s studies. She also interned at the Hamilton Journal News.

From there, she took a job with the American Bankruptcy Institute in Alexandria, Va., as the nonprofit’s communication/administrative assistant. She moved to Toledo about a year ago and landed a job with Toledo Free Press.

“My favorite part about being a journalist is the opportunity to help people in a way,” Burks said. “Whether you’re writing about a political figure and you’re educating the public and helping people make more informed decisions, or if you’re writing about charities — I’m really passionate about community-driven journalism.”

“Brigitta is an insightful reporter and talented editor,” Miller said. “Readers will see great strides in our reporting and the scope of our investigative projects.”

Gina Fielding

A graduate of Genoa High School, and an education major at the University of Toledo, Social Networking Editor Gina Fielding is CEO of digital marketing business Gabella Media and editor in chief of www.damngina.net.

She is a radio personality who serves as social media director for “Andrew Z in the Morning” on Star 105.5.

“Gina has dynamic ideas for our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Issuu services,” Miller said. “As the industry evolves with technology, all media must not only keep up but lead the way, and Gina will help us with that mission. Our goal is be as accessible and interactive as possible.”

Caitlin McGlade

McGlade, 24, is leaving Toledo Free Press for an internship at Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., where she will cover Congress.

“As a political science major, I’m interested in watching the political machine work,” McGlade said. “I’ve covered city and county government and now I’m interested in seeing how the federal government works. I’ve written stories about federal legislation, but I’ve never been to the place where they are making it happen.”

McGlade came to Toledo Free Press as an intern in 2009 and was hired as a staff writer in December after graduating from Ohio University, where she majored in journalism and political science.

McGlade covered city and county government, boards of elections, political campaigns, business, environment and art for Toledo Free Press.

“I’ve learned a lot at Toledo Free Press. I haven’t been able to cover everything because we are a small staff, but what I have been able to cover I have been able to devote time and attention to make the stories truly well-rounded, researched, in-depth and written in a way that I might not get to anywhere else,” McGlade said.

“Toledo not only has a compassionate community, but a growing arts scene and I think I’ll miss watching that develop.”

McGlade grew up in Dayton and graduated from Bowling Green High School in 2007. She also interned at The Columbus Dispatch, The Arizona Republic and The Athens (Ohio) Messenger and worked with Burks at OU’s student newspaper, The Post.

“I worked in Washington, D.C., and I am excited for the opportunities Caitlin is pursuing,” Miller said. “Her leadership and determination will be missed, but she will find great success in The District.”

Zach Davis

Davis, 24, is leaving Toledo Free Press for a job at the Laredo Morning Times in Texas. He will join the newspaper’s sports writing staff.

Davis grew up in Heath, Ohio, and graduated from Heath High School. He graduated from the University of Toledo with a degree in communication with a concentration in journalism. Before coming to Toledo Free Press in 2011, Davis worked at FOX Sports Ohio and interned with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was also an active writer with UT’s student newspaper, The Independent Collegian, and was sports editor in 2010.

“My roots come from Toledo; this is where I’ve learned my skills. It’s been an exciting time in Toledo and I’m excited to see what else is out there,” Davis said. “I’ll miss the people here.”

“Zach lives sports, and Texas is fertile ground for sports journalism,” Miller said. “We wish him well and know he will thrive there.”

Tags: Brigitta Burks, Caitlin McGlade, Gina Fielding, Sarah Ottney, Toledo Free Press, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2012 at 1:22 pm and is filed under Community, Media.
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