Downtown fun for a cause

Local residents can get in on free family-style fun a la "Minute to Win It" and "The Amazing Race" from 5-7:30 p.m. July 25 in Christmas in July downtown. Sponsored by Blanchard Valley Center and downtown businesses, it is designed to subtly increase public awareness of the organization which supports residents with developmental disabilities. Participants will do activities, like assembling a puzzle or doing a task blindfolded, at various downtown businesses, said Nadine Weininger, director of public relations for Blanchard Valley Center (BVC). Participants will first meet at the Millstream Art Plaza, at the corner of Main and Sandusky streets, where they will receive a playing card and their first mission. With each visit to a participating business and completion of a task, participants will receive a stamp on their playing card. Once the playing card has been completed, they will return to the starting point to turn in the card for a drawing of the grand prize basket. The first 50 registered participants will receive prizes and coupons in a "stocking" with the BVC logo on it. Prize-and-coupon-filled stockings will be available to other participants while supplies last. "It's just kind of a subtle way of getting people to recognize BVC," Weininger said. "We don't want to make it a big commercial but at the same time we want people to know that we're present in the community … know that we're here for the people that need it." To register for Christmas in July, visit: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ccye8lZ. Event sponsors are Blanchard Valley Center/Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the following businesses: Smarty Pants, Romans Hair Designers, Axe Ventura, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, Findlay-Inn, Hancock Hotel, False Chord, Puck Coffee Truck, Jonny Burritos, Hitchings Insurance and Elida Candle.