Grandparents celebrated on their day

LIMA - Georgia Newsome raised dozens of children and sought nothing in return.

She does it, she said, because it's God's commission.

During the fourth annual Grandparents Dinner on Sunday night at Lima Towers, 790 S. Main St., nearly 100 people gathered to honor grandparents. The event was organized to recognize the many grandparents who've raised children born to their children, many of whom are in prison or addicted to drugs.

Among the many senior citizens was Newsome.

"I did everything that was possible," she said of the 50 to 60 children she helped raise. "I fed them and clothed them. ... I love them."

Judieth Glenn began the annual celebration of grandparents four years ago, making it an annual event, because she and her husband, 6th Ward City Councilman Derry Glenn, said grandparents should be recognized.

"You have a lot of grandparents raising children because their parents are on drugs," Judieth Glenn said. "Grandparents play a very special role in a child's life and I am really glad we can do this to honor them."

Derry Glenn said the event his wife began coincides with National Grandparents Day, a holiday he and his wife said gets little recognition

"I did this for my grandfather" William Payne," Judieth Glenn said.