Tedrow: A Community That Cares For Its Own

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. For the citizens of Tedrow, a small unincorporated community in Fulton County in southwestern Dover Township, the sense of community is real. The community boasts only one business, Tedrow Auto Wrecking, has no stoplight, and was named after the postmaster years ago. The heart of this small village of about 250 is the people and the churches – a Mennonite church, a United Methodist church, and a Pentecostal Spanish church. Callie Jacoby, whose family has lived in Tedrow for multiple generations, expresses, “Sometimes it is difficult within one church to get people together, and in our community, our three churches come together for the community.”

The story begins years ago on Easter morning. At 7 a.m. an Easter sunrise service is held at the Mennonite Church, and the three churches rotate the responsibilities every year. Following the service, a community fellowship potluck breakfast is held. Another holiday that brings the community together is Christmas. The three churches rotate locations of Christmas Eve services. For twenty years, the community has come together for a candlelight service of traditional Christmas carols including Silent Night in Spanish.

These holiday community events spurred a collective community brainstorming that has branched into an annual fall community clean-up day. Every fall flyers are distributed around Tedrow to notify the community of the clean-up day. Dumpsters are brought in, and the community is provided the opportunity to dispose of unwanted items. Not only does the community benefit from the clean-up efforts, but on the following day, a community picnic is held. Everyone brings their favorite dish. “Cultures and denominations are meshed,” Jacoby shares. Tedrow, home to a vibrant Hispanic culture, also includes a piñata for the children as part of the festivities.

Children are the cornerstone of this community where families feel safe allowing children to play outside and ride bicycles. Six years ago, Jacoby and her husband facilitated a small group which morphed into an outreach kids club that now meets every Wednesday night. This group, the Tedrow Kids Club, currently has about 35 members and meets at the Methodist church. The church has committed to assisting the kids with the financial cost of summer church camp. The children have the opportunity to earn points to use towards church camp. Community service, attendance and church participation, and neighbor assistance all create chances for children to earn points towards the cost of their church camp fees. The small Methodist church which averages 30 in attendance on a Sunday has been able to provide children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend church camp. Jacoby shares that community letters are mailed and donations pour in. “The response is overwhelming.”

The Tedrow Mennonite Church also has a children’s’ club called the Pass it On club. Twice a year, the two churches collaborate and partner for a community event. In the fall, they hold a Fall Festival, and in lieu of Trick or Treat, a Fish Food Pantry drive is held. Children also enjoy fall games and pumpkin decorating. The Tedrow community also participates in the increasingly popular church “Trunk or Treat” events for safe Halloween trick or treating. A summer ice cream social is held for children and families of the community as well.

The newest community outreach collaboration is the Tedrow Paper Pantry. The community was provided with a donation when someone passed away. Although the resources were limited, the individuals responsible wanted to do something with lasting impact to help those in the community. For individuals and families who qualify for public assistance, they receive help with purchasing food items, but this assistance does not cover personal care necessities and paper products. Although the Methodist church did not have room to accommodate the Paper Pantry that was envisioned, the Mennonite church offered to house the pantry.

The three Tedrow churches pooled their resources together for this project. Children that attend the Wednesday evening kids programs at the churches receive tickets that can be used by families to redeem extras. Twice a month the Paper Pantry is available for families of the children involved in the children’s’ programs. Families receive a “basic bag” of paper products, and the tickets can be used to “buy” extras such as detergent and deodorant. Presently, the Paper Pantry is serving 40 families with a positive response. The program cost between $500-700 a month and is all supported by local donations.

Not only do these events foster a sense of community and encourage fellowship, but they bring together culture and community. “These are good life lessons for kids. At any time, someone could fall. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of those right in front of us,” Jacoby reminds us. She is passionate about her community of Tedrow and feels blessed to be able to raise her family in this close-knit community that cares for its own. For a community built on traditional family values and an old fashioned sense of neighbor, it is as one resident expresses, “a little hidden gem.”

If you are interested in helping and live in close proximity to Tedrow, they can always use help with major events. Prayers and financial donations are also welcomed and appreciated. For more information, contact Callie Jacoby at 419-654-7865. The churches of Tedrow will be hosting Vacation Bible Schools this summer. All children are invited to attend.