Helping people change their lives and succeed is the goal of the three finalists for the Lima Allen County Chamber’s Athena award.  

Guiding Light Ministries hosted their 6th annual Evening of Inspiration fundraising dinner Wednesday evening at Forest Park United Methodist Church. People dressed for the theme “The Roaring 20s meets Old Hollywood”. The event had food that was catered and had current and former residents tell their stories of going through the life skills program. They also held raffles and a silent auction. The ministry would not be possible without the community, and donations will continue their efforts to change lives.

Friday evening, Guiding Light Ministries in Lima served dozens of meals to the public at their free monthly dinner. Every third Friday of the month, the nonprofit organization hosts their "Love Thy Neighbor" dinner. They hope the community will come together and get some face to face interaction they might lose through social media and the pandemic. Guiding Light aims to help women in need by providing housing and life skills programs. They assist women in their teens to the elderly, to get them back on their feet. Although their primary focus is helping women, the love thy neighbor meal is open to anybody.