The City of Akron will be testing the sirens the first Monday of each month at noon through the month of September. There are two sirens: one at Ridgewood and one at the six-plex. Note this is an outside warning system, you may not be able to hear the siren inside. There is an emergency booklet available at City Hall free of charge while supply lasts. Upcoming events

Volunteers’ “helping hands” have created a way not only to raise money for the Akron Children’s Center but to fill a niche in the Akron community. They have created the Helping Hands Thrift Shop, which is located in the former American Legion Hall on North Fifth Street in Akron. On Saturday, volunteers and Akron Children’s Center Board members and staff held Grand Opening ceremonies officially opening Akron’s newest business. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the thrift shop will be open for business. “We started this project out of frustration from the raising day care costs,” said Co-coordinator Lori Rexwinkel, “but what we found in the process was that what we were doing was helping the day care, the parents, and our children whom we love.” “The Children’s Center is more than a day care,” she said. “It is a fun, caring, learning environment.” “When I ask my three-year-old what she likes about day care, she tells me it’s the stickers (she gets when she goes ‘potty,’)” said Rexwinkel. “But I know it’s more than that. Whether I drop her off in the morning or pick her up at night, she is always happy.” “That makes me feel good as a parent,” said Rexwinkel as she addressed the crowd during the Grand Opening Ceremony. “When the idea of the thrift store came, it seemed like a great solution,” she said. “Something for everyone in the community, for the families and the day care teachers.” “What we hope this store will provide is affordable child care for everyone and competitive wages for the great teachers at the center,” said Rexwinkel. She thanked The Akron Hometowner, Britton Chiropractic & Rehab Clinic, Maynard’s Foods, the day care staff and Children’s Center Board, the City of Akron, John and Mary Lucken, Ron and Meriele Wilmot, and parents using the day care facility who have donated their time and donated items. The Helping Hands Thrift Shop is operated by volunteers. The volunteers not only man the cash register on Saturdays but spend many hours accepting donated items, sorting them, adding price tags and displaying them for customers. On Saturday, there was a wide variety of items to choose from the baby and toddler section of clothing, furniture and toys to the Men’s Corner fi lled with clothing and gadgets “just for guys.” However, that was only a small portion of what can be found in Helping Hands Thrift Shop. There is furniture, home decorations, glassware, antiques and collectibles. There are books, movies, jewelry, prom dresses, girls and women’s clothing, nursing uniforms, and too much else to list in a newspaper article. “We are unable to accept computers and large appliances but we do have small appliances,” said Co- Coordinator Mary Lucken. “We’d like to think we have something for everybody.” Volunteers are needed and welcome to help at any time. “If we have enough volunteers, we’d like to be able to be open a second day or evening of each week,” said Lucken. “One of our goals in volunteering is we want people to have fun while working so bring a friend or two.” In addition, the thrift shop needs donated items to sell. “There are two rules of thumb for making donations: Would you buy it? and Would you want your name on it (saying the item was donated by you)?” said Lucken. “We want clean, ready-for-sale items.” “Please don’t leave donations outside the building,” said Lucken, explaining that on the door of the shop, there is a sign with phone numbers of people who have volunteered to meet with people who have items for the shop. Currently, the phone numbers are Mary Lucken’s 568-3336 and Meriele Wlmot’s 568-2761. The numbers may change as volunteers’ schedules change. “We’ve received a lot of support from the community,” said Lucken, adding not only with donated items and furnishings but in time and help. “It’s a 100-percent volunteer project, and 100 percent of the net proceeds go to the Children’s Center.”