209 Center Street
Chardon, OH 44024
Phone: 440-285-2261
info@geaugahungertaskforce.org
Pictured above is Mary (left) and Jayme (right) O’Neill displaying food collect for the food drive.
The Geauga Hunger Task Force (GHTF) wants to extend a big heartfelt
thank you to Greener Fields 4-H Club and Dr. Augustine Kellis and
family. This past year this dynamic duo once again made sure no
resident of Geauga County goes hungry.
It started back in 2015 when Dan Takacs, who was co-chair of the
4-H Food Drive with Ben Obringer, reached out to Dr. Augustine
Kellis for a donation for their fundraiser to help GHTF. Dr.
Kellis, after researching GHTF, approached Mr. Takacs with an idea
to start a food drive and open it up to al the 4-H clubs. Dr.
Kellis said if they would do this, he would match whatever they
raised. From that point on 4-H along with the Kellis family have
been tackling hunger in Geauga!
This past year was a challenge for everyone. People were found
themselves trying to tackle situations they never thought they
would be faced with, some of which was “How am I going to
feed my family?” Thanks to the determination of our local 4-H
clubs and Dr. Kellis they were able to raise over $38,000.00 for
GHTF. This money insures that people in our community will always
be able to have food for themselves and their loved ones.
Since 2015 when Greener Fields 4-H club and the Kellis family
teamed up, they have raised a total of $167,733.76 and they are
just starting to kick off their 2021 food drive. Both the Greener
Fields 4-H Club and the Kellis family show why Geauga county is
such an amazing community. Their selfless acts have provided and
continue to provide financial help to GHTF which then allows GHTF
to provide food support to the community.
When Dan Takacs graduated and had to leave the club, the baton of
leadership was passed on to Mary O’Neill. After Mary
graduated, leadership passed on to her sister Jayme. Each of them
has done a wonderful job.
Below are some quotes from those who have been instrumental in
making this fundraiser happen.
“When we started our food drive in 2015, I was simply trying
to find a way to keep my club active in service and support our
community. I never imagined it would take off in the manner in
which it did. The day I asked Dr. Augie for a donation to the
Geauga Hunger Task Force turned out to be a pretty good turn of
events. He challenged me to make this food drive bigger than it
was, and I realized I could in turn challenge the greater 4-H
community and all the communities it touches. I wanted to make it
competitive and allow people to do their part for those in need.
Six years later I am positively dumbfounded that we have raised
upwards of $167,000. This truly inspires me, not only because of
all the hungry people we were able to support, but also the true
outpouring of community I witnessed firsthand. I want to continue
to do my part to see this community effort continue for years to
come.” – Dan Takacs
"My involvement in the food drive was more than just a green check on my resume. I was overwhelmed by the number of families in my backyard with food insecurity. Raising food for the members of my community was one of the many joys of my 4-H experience and shaped me into the humble genuine person I am today. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had passed onto me to better the lives of people in my own community.” – Mary O’Neill
"The reason I find such a passion for the food drive is because ever since I was a little girl I loved helping people in any way I could and this food drive has helped me help other people in ways I couldn't imagine doing as a little girl. To see the faces of the people at the food bank light up when you give them the food is the most rewarding feeling in the world and I wouldn't trade it for anything." – Jayme O’Neill
“A few specific memories stand out to me as an adviser.
One was watching my son, Joshua, and Dan Takas unload a truck full
of food and deliver it to the Burton pantry during pantry hours.
They saw the long line and people being helped and I saw the look
on their faces. It really hit home to them and made a big
impression. Also, Kyle Borah ran a drive at NDCL and took the food
to the Newbury food pantry. One of the items donated was fresh corn
on the cob. A woman came up to Kyle and thanked him with tears in
her eyes. She hadn't had fresh corn on the cob in years she told
him. What an impact that made on him and us all! I would like to
thank all of the members of Greener Fields and the 4-H clubs who
participate, as well as Alisha Faudie, our extension agent. I'm
also grateful to the Junior and Senior Fairboards who have helped
us with the drive and all of the businesses who have so generously
given. This is truly a team effort! The 4-H motto is "to make the
best better" and it's so encouraging to see the kids live it out
and to have so many adults and businesses model this as
well.” – Christine Belliveau
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to help those in
need in our community. I have been so impressed by the hard work
and commitment with which the 4-H youth have tackled this project.
I foresee great success in all of their futures." -
Augustine Kellis
We at Geauga Hunger Task Force are humbled by such great acts of
kindness and support and want to say thank you to all who played a
role in making this fundraiser happen! We appreciate you all so
much!