LIMA, Ohio (AP) — The Ottawa River Coalition held its annual Good Friday fish fry, its only fundraiser of the year, drawing community members who came out to support environmental programs and outreach efforts.
Proceeds from the event help fund the coalition’s education initiatives, river cleanups, and watershed improvement projects. Among those efforts is the “Tired of Tires” program, which removes dozens of discarded tires from local waterways each year, along with organizing the annual Ottawa River cleanup.
Executive Director Lydia Archambo credited the event’s continued success to strong community support and volunteer participation.
“We had amazing volunteers this year. So we have bath Interact Club. We have national honor society from alight a high school. So we have some great students out here helping today. We also just have all of our partners, events and partner organizations who came out to help are being amazing and just, I'm so grateful,” Archambo said.
In addition to the fish fry, attendees participated in a silent auction featuring items donated by local sponsors. Contributions included home-baked cookies from Allen County Commissioner Beth Seibert and handmade scented candles from Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith.
Organizers say the fundraiser plays a critical role in sustaining the coalition’s work to protect and improve the Ottawa River and surrounding watershed.
