Donate Now to Support LakewoodAlive’s Year-End Fundraising Campaign
As 2018 draws to a close and we prepare to flip the calendar, it’s time to reflect on the year that was for LakewoodAlive. Here are 12 highlights – one for each month – from our efforts to foster and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood during 2018.
January: Caffeinate and Celebrate During the Lakewood Coffee Shop Hop
A collaboration between Lakewood coffee shops has brewed up a unique community celebration centered around coffee and art. The Lakewood Coffee Shop Hop takes place this spring at seven participating coffee shops. This free-to-attend event will showcase student artwork with the launch of a contest-winning ink drawing turned coffee cup design by Lakewood High School senior Micah Inak. Each shop will offer their products in this cup, while also displaying artwork created by students from the Lakewood City Schools.
February: Superheroes Unite Draws Sellout Crowd for Heroic Good Time
Like a scene straight out of a Stan Lee comic book, throngs of spirited superheroes descended upon Downtown Lakewood, sporting capes, courage and commitment to community vibrancy. LakewoodAlive hosted its “Loving Lakewood: Superheroes Unite” fundraising event on Saturday night, February 24, at the Lakewood Masonic Temple, drawing a sellout crowd of 225 heroes and heroines.
March: LakewoodAlive Unveils “Knowing Your Home” Schedule for 2018
There’s no better time than now to take proper care of your home, your most important investment, and LakewoodAlive is here to help you every step of the way. LakewoodAlive announces the schedule for the 2018 edition of “Knowing Your Home,” an educational series focused on sustainability and home maintenance best practices empowering homeowners to tackle necessary repairs and improvements.
April: LakewoodAlive’s Paint Lakewood Program Kicks Off 2018 Season
Calling Lakewood homeowners and residents: Now’s the perfect time to add a splash of color to your home’s exterior. LakewoodAlive’s Housing Outreach Program announces the return of its Paint Lakewood Program for the 2018 season. This innovative program helps make it more affordable for qualified Lakewood homeowners and residents to beautify their homes through exterior whole-home painting.
May: LakewoodAlive to Host Day of Festivities in Historic Birdtown
It’s a celebration of all things Birdtown and you’re invited to partake in the fun. LakewoodAlive will host the 4th Annual Birdtown Picnic and 2nd Annual “Battle of Birdtown” Softball Game at Madison Park. This free community event is an initiative of LakewoodAlive’s Housing Outreach Community Engagement Program.
June: Warren Road Beautification Project Rejuvenates Gateway into Downtown Lakewood
Venture north along Warren Road towards Detroit Avenue these days and you’ll notice a transformation has taken place for the sake of community beautification. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Cuyahoga County and a partnership with the City of Lakewood, LakewoodAlive’s Warren Road Beautification Project has resulted in a rejuvenated gateway into Lakewood’s downtown district.
July: Summer Meltdown 2018 Celebrates Lakewood’s Vibrancy
For one July Saturday each summer, Detroit Avenue undergoes a conversion into an urban playground for families, friends, festival-goers, runners, beer enthusiasts and music lovers alike to celebrate a city’s vibrancy. Lakewood Summer Meltdown 2018 attracted a crowd of 12,000 to the heart of the city on July 14. Attendees at the ninth annual installment of Lakewood’s summer street fest were not disappointed, as they enjoyed everything from street vendors to road races to a beer garden with live music.
August: LakewoodAlive Board, Staff Complete Massive Yard Reclamation Project for Elderly Couple
LakewoodAlive board and staff members descended upon Kenneth G.’s Arthur Avenue property on Saturday morning, August 25, equipped with yard cleanup tools and abundant enthusiasm. They spent the next two hours completing everything from vine and weed removal to leaf racking to tree trimming. The end result? A night-and-day yard transformation that serves as a welcome change not only for Kenneth and his wife, but for their neighbors as well.
September: Front Porch Concert Series Draws Crowds for Free Summertime Entertainment
The 2018 Front Porch Concert Series concluded on Friday evening, September 7, when The Light of Day Band performed a memorable final show on the front steps of Lakewood Public Library. LakewoodAlive’s popular summer concert series drew approximately 4,000 attendees to Downtown Lakewood for 12 performances held on consecutive Fridays from June 22 through the first week of September.
October: LakewoodAlive to Host “Depression, Anxiety and Teens” Community Forum
LakewoodAlive announces it will host a community forum – entitled “Depression, Anxiety and Teens: Who Cares? A Community Conversation” this fall in the LHS Cafeteria at Lakewood High School. This community conversation will offer insightful dialogue regarding how we as Lakewoodites can feel more empowered to support our neighbors, both youths and their parents, who are struggling with depression and/or anxiety.
November: Beer Garden, Holiday Market and Holiday Train Highlight New Features at Light Up Lakewood 2018
When LakewoodAlive’s signature holiday event returns for a 12th consecutive year this December, the traditions that have made this festive occasion a crowd favorite will be complemented by a trio of new features. LakewoodAlive announces The Roundstone Beer Garden, the Holiday Market at the Holiday Train as new centerpieces of Light Up Lakewood 2018 taking place December 1 in Downtown Lakewood.
December: LakewoodAlive’s “A Team” Volunteers Find Fun in Helping Fellow Community Members
For the residents who reap the benefits of their labor and expertise, this ultra-dedicated group seems too good to be true. Yet LakewoodAlive’s most experienced team of volunteers is as real and genuine as they come. Lakewood residents Aaron Cooper, Jeff Davis, Jim Hayes, Carl Orban, Dana Paul and Allison Urbanek comprise the all-star squad of volunteers known as the “A Team.” This team spends various weekends throughout the year tackling major volunteer housing projects on behalf of the LakewoodAlive Housing Outreach Program.
