BARBERTON — Main Street Barberton and the Cominsky Family Foundation honored local first responders Aug. 8 with the organization’s third annual Heroes and Helpers Community Celebration.
“This year’s turnout is probably twice last year’s,” said Main Street Barberton Project Coordinator Natalie Hanlin. “It is a fundraiser for the Cominsky Family Foundation and just a fun way to get the community to come out and celebrate our first responders.”
Main Street Barberton is an organization dedicated to strengthening downtown Barberton through community engagement, economic development, historic preservation and community events while supporting local businesses and residents. The Cominsky Family Foundation is a Barberton-based community organization devoted to helping area children in need, including providing support for children who do not have reliable access to food.
The free event, held in the parking lot of the Barberton Public Library, included meet-and-greets with police officers and firefighters from the Barberton Police and Fire departments, several area nonprofit organizations, demonstrations including a vehicle extrication and an opportunity for children to use a real fire hose, a children’s bike raffle, a dunk tank featuring local heroes and a hot dog lunch and Kona Ice treats…