Warsaw residents will get the opportunity to help kick off the state's observance of 2000 and help better their community today at 5 p.m. on the steps of the Kosciusko County courthouse.

Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon, touring four northern Indiana cities today, will make Warsaw her last stop and present the local Hoosier Millennium coordinator with the official "Hoosier Millennium toolbox."

The toolbox contains various resources designed to help Indiana communities use the energy and enthusiasm generated by the millennium to find positive ways to mark the historic event and rededicate themselves to building tighter bonds between their citizens.

Locally, Trish Brown, director of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., is heading up the millennium effort.

According to Brown, the Kosciusko County Historical Society has volunteered to coordinate a time capsule, and the Kosciusko County Foundation is planning to offer a program to help parents find funding alternatives for their children's college tuition.

O'Bannon will arrive today in the Hoosier Millennium motor home, which also serves as a rolling billboard for the initiative. Residents are invited to attend the presentation ceremony today and will be encouraged to autograph the back of the motor home and to draw stick figures connecting to those drawn in other communities, symbolizing Hoosier Millennium's focus on bringing people together.

The Warsaw Millennium committee consists of Brown; Suzie Light, executive director of Kosciusko County Foundation; Ron Manahan, president of Grace College; and Sandy Rader, of Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Those wanting to volunteer their time and efforts into planning the Hoosier Millennium observances can call Brown at 267-6419. [[In-content Ad]]