MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW) – The Marion Area Harley Riders Association (MAHRA) donated a record amount of $41,371.21 to the 2023 Christmas Clearinghouse program operated by the Junior Service Guild of Marion County.

The big donation will help provide Christmas gifts and necessary items such as winter hats, gloves, blankets, and food to children and families in Marion County during this holiday season. MAHRA members presented the check to Christmas Clearinghouse coordinator Jodi Rife during the annual WMRN Peanut Push held Dec. 2 at Founders Park in downtown Marion.

“Christmas Clearinghouse is just one project that Junior Service Guild does, but it’s probably the largest,” Rife said. “It all goes back to our community. Without our community, we would never be able to pull any of these events off. Peanut Push is a huge part of Christmas Clearinghouse. Thank you to everyone in Marion County who came out today and participated in and supported this wonderful program.”

Students from Marion Harding High School participate in the 2023 WMRN Peanut Push held Dec. 2 at Founders Park on South Main Street in downtown Marion. The annual event raises funds to benefit the Junior Service Guild’s Christmas Clearinghouse, which collects gifts and other items for children in need in Marion County.

MAHRA donated $38,871.38 to the Christmas Clearinghouse in 2022. The organization has now donated more than $450,000 to the annual effort since 2000.

The OK Café donated $5,229 to the Christmas Clearinghouse this year.

Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer pushes for the finish line during the annual Peanut Push in downtown Marion. It marked Schertzer’s last Peanut Push as mayor since he decided not to seek reelection to the office.

Elizabeth Millisor and Daniel Bradshaw repeated as queen and king of the Peanut Push, respectively. Millisor raised $2,328.45 for the Christmas Clearinghouse in 2023.

Bradshaw collected $1,951.58 that will benefit the Christmas Clearinghouse this year.

Madison Fosnaugh and KJ Vernon were crowned princess and prince, respectively, of the Peanut Push for their work in raising funds this year for the Christmas Clearinghouse.

Fosnaugh, a fourth-grade student at Benjamin Harrison Elementary School in Marion, collected $1,137. According to Peanut Push officials, Fosnaugh sold reindeer chow and cocoa bombs to help generate funding for youngsters in need in Marion County.

Vernon, a fifth-grade student at Delaware Christian School, raised $652 to benefit the Christmas Clearinghouse.

Two Marion County business owners and a student from Pleasant High School were the top three competitors in the Peanut Push championship race.

Mike Fosnaugh, owner of 3rd Generation Moving and Storage, was the first-place peanut pusher for 2023. Chris DePuy, owner of Max Aiir by Infinite Inflatables, placed second, and Brady Henry from Pleasant High School finished in third place.

“I committed. I got on my knees and scraped across the street,” said Fosnaugh, who was competing in the Peanut Push for the second year. He said he was encouraged by his daughter,

Madison, the princess of the 2023 Peanut Push. “I did commit more because of my daughter.”

Rife said the Christmas Clearinghouse is still in need of non-perishable food items, blankets, hats, gloves, toys, books, and monetary donations to support the 2023 effort. The Junior Service Guild will accept donations Dec. 4-15 at its headquarters at 1680 Marion Waldo Road. The headquarters will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Gifts and other items donated for children will be distributed on Dec. 16 at the headquarters.

For information about the 2023 Christmas Clearinghouse, call 740-341-5871 or email jsgchristmasclearinghouse@gmail.com.