It was pouring rain when a family member told me there was a baby duck in the garage. At first I…read morethought, "Oh, a duckling," and went out expecting something small and harmless. It was hiding beneath the car -- frightened, alert, and surprisingly difficult to catch. Every time I tried to reach for it, it scrambled away awkwardly, and when we finally cornered it, I noticed its tail was injured. It looked serious. So I did what most people would probably do when they see an injured animal: I tried to help it. For me, it stopped being "a duck" in the abstract. It became this specific little creature I was trying to save. I searched for someone who could help, and that led me to the Ohio Wildlife Center. Their website says, "Wildlife Help Starts Here." But for me, it felt like wildlife help ended there. I understand that wildlife rehabilitation is complicated. They cannot save every animal. There are limits involving resources, suffering, survival odds, and quality of life. Rationally, I know that. But emotionally, I could not stop thinking: I never wanted to be the person delivering this tiny creature to its death. Maybe I should have asked a different question before bringing it in: "What percentage of animals brought here are killed?" But it would not have mattered anyway. When I called, I got an automated response and brought the duck in regardless, hoping for the best. My mistake. Maybe I am applying human standards to an animal. Maybe I am projecting my own instinct to survive onto it. But I cannot help feeling that existence itself matters. If it were me, I would rather have another day alive -- even injured, even imperfect -- than have someone else decide my life was no longer worth continuing because recovery would be difficult, inconvenient, or incomplete. That is the part that stays with me. Not death itself, because death comes for everything eventually, but the feeling that I unknowingly became part of ushering it there. If I had left the duck alone, maybe it would have lived longer. Maybe it would not have survived at all. I do not know. But I walked in believing I was helping save it, and instead I was confronted with the fact that they were going to kill it. What made it harder was how sudden it felt. The moment I walked inside, they took the duck immediately. No pause. No goodbye. Just gone. To them, perhaps it was routine. To me, it was still this frightened little thing I had crouched in the rain trying to protect. Maybe "murder" is the wrong word. Maybe "kill" is more accurate. Either way, the result is the same: death. Nonexistence. The extinguishing of something that, only moments before, was alive and fighting to keep moving. I care about animals. So when you try to do what you believe is the right thing, only to realize the outcome no longer belongs to you, it leaves a mark. And then, on top of all of that, they wanted my personal information. I remember looking at them like they were delusional, "Are you serious?" You are telling me this duck is going to die, yet you still need my details? For what? Do they keep records of where animals came from they've killed? Stats? Maybe. But in that moment, it felt absurd. In an era where everything is collected, tracked, harvested, monetized, and stored, I could not help reacting with suspicion and disbelief. At this exact moment I felt emotionally blindsided and disgusted. This is one of those questions that comes up everywhere -- from medicine to animal care to end-of-life decisions. Wildlife rehabilitators usually focus on survival and minimizing suffering. But the animal wasn't necessarily at risk of dying from the injury itself. I tend to see it more simply -- that existence still matters, even when things are imperfect. That's where we differ.

The OH Wildlife Center is a non profit that operates the state's largest wildlife hospital. They…read morealso house and rehabilitate native wildlife species. Throughout the year, they offer various educational and special events that are open to the public. I was so excited to take a fundraising yoga class here. Kelly was our yoga instructor and she is also an OWC volunteer. She gave us some great tips for protecting wildlife at home and took us on a short tour after class. We got to meet several of the residents including Waldo the turtle, beautiful red foxes, feisty raccoons, owls and a shy little coyote pup. They provide signage with more information about the animals, and many of them had been injured, abandoned, or kept as pets and released illegally. It was wonderful to see them peaceful and well cared for. They mentioned that they are always looking for more volunteers. Check out their website for more information or to donate.

I went there several times. First when you went in and choose what you needed. Then during and…read moreafter COVID. That's when they gave you bags of food in a drive through format. Now I'm need to go again. It's a wonderful help when you need it.

It is amazing geart value and Supreme quality. A life saver for my family. Don't know what I…read morewould due without. I'm going Make it because this plan.

I highly praise this organization. I have noticed that…read morethere are millions of dollars raised for the Race for the Cure and Cancer Research projects. This is going on while families and survivors are out there starving, using up their savings and having to almost beg for health care, meds, or such and just day to day rent, mortgage, utilities, and food. This is the only organization in central Ohio trying to help families survive daily expenses. This organization is in need of funding because right now they have a waiting list of families in need of help. If a fraction of the funds given to the American Cancer Foundation, Race for the Cure, the Stephanie Spelman or Susan G. Komen foundations were given, the organization would be able to help and take care of those in need on the waiting list. They also would be able to hire people to go do outreach and home care. This organization needs continued funding and help to help others. So if you can, give into this excellent reputable organization then please do.

LifeCare Alliance is a nationally recognized nonprofit human services organization serving nearly…read more30,000 Ohioans each year. Our mission is to provide Nutrition, Health, and Support services that help restore the stability and self-reliance of people facing challenges stemming from medical conditions, disabilities, or aging in place. They provide pet food and vet service for the seniors pets who receive Meals on wheels

So very lucky to have had their services when I was ill. Very professional I must say, and the…read moreaides are top notch.

Superb staff and such a wonderful opportunity to ho here each week and see what horses can do as…read moretherapy for the soul! Highly recommend

Dreams On Horseback is a nonprofit organization that offers interaction and riding experiences with…read moretheir horses and students and adults of all ages with multiple handicaps. Their horses mostly come from retirement or were rescued from poor situations. The staff spends lots of time training and working with the horses how to interact with people of varying disabilities. Our spec. ed class will be visiting for the day once a month throughout the this school year, and they seem to be loving it. Besides getting to ride around the stable, thus far, they've bathed, fed and learned to approach and walk beside a horse. The grounds are nice - not huge, but a good use of space. There's bathrooms and a space with tables and a fridge for eating our packed lunches. The staff is really, really well aware of the horses and the different spec. ed groups that come. They have done a fantastic job explaining and interacting with the students! I think it's awesome how DOH is reaching out to special needs people of all ages, and giving them a chance to learn new skills that they can use in their daily life.

I absolutely love this food pantry. You can visit twice a month and you can receive produce, meat,…read moretoiletries, fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, cereal and more! The staff are very friendly and helpful and they are always are willing to help with a smile. I really like the hours. The hours are convenient, and keep in mind the working family. For example, they have early Saturday hours, and two days during the week with one day in the morning and one day in the evening. Therefore, if you work a traditional 9 to 5 you can come after work. The lines are long though! Before COVID-19, we were able to go inside and shop. However, the Hilliard food pantry takes the pandemic very seriously and they converted to a drive-through method. You drive up, give them your information, and they load up your trunk. They do this very quickly but you will be in the line for a bit. There are some days that I come and things are very in and out, about 10 minutes. And there are other days where I'm there for almost an hour in the line. I can tell you that it's worth it. For struggling families, they do so much. Sometimes they have clothes, and shoes as well that have been donated. They even offer assistance during Thanksgiving and Christmas which includes food as well as toys. And the toys are good, they give bicycles almost every year. They also offer utility assistance once a year. The people here are just amazing. I said that already but I think I should say it again. Full disclosure here, I have pretty intense back and hip problems. One time I pulled up onto the line at the pantry, and my hip totally locked up on me. I was already in park but I couldn't lift my foot to the gas pedal. So, I was essentially holding up the line... unable to get out of the way or move forward. I called the pantry and told them the situation. Two women came out to help me! I am appreciative of what the Hilliard food pantry does for my family. Thank you!

HOCO is a great place to be and get access to things like:…read more - Community information (headquarters of 211 for central ohio) - Food pantry referrals (just call 341-2282 between 7a and 4p to schedule an appointment, M-F. The earlier the better) - Copa shelter line They also see walk-in food appointments from 9a-12p which is useful for if you don't have a phone. COPA doesn't do walk-ins but 211 does. Great service.

Local Matters has recently moved. Their new humble abode is right down from The Crest and Alchemy…read moreJuice Bar, on the ground floor of The Fitness Loft's building. Great spot, too. Lots of (free!) parking in the attached lot. Easy in-and-out access to Livingston And Parsons Avenues. Internal space is pretty awesome. They have two main rooms, not counting their administrative/desk space. The larger room they use for conferences, meetings, gatherings, events, etc. The smaller room has a small kitchen nook and island - perfect for anything food related. Today, they were doing a salsa demo, so that was a big hit with kids. I try to keep a lookout for events LM puts on. They do a lot to educate the community about food, housing, wellness. They also do a great job highlighting local businesses. They were hosting their 4th annual Seed Swap, thus my visit. Perfect space for sharing seeds and knowledge!