"Beanie"© Lima's Neighborhood Mascot Helping children of all ages to learn how to be a good neighbor   Beanie Appearance Request Form

- Designed by City of Lima Neighborhood Specialist, Christine Rodabaugh, in 1994;
-Mascot costume made by Olympus Flag & Banner in Wisconsin - makers of McDonald restaurant characters in 1995;
-donated by Jerry Lewis of McDonalds Restaurants of Allen County;
-cost $2,500;
-costume: weighs 9 lbs. 7 oz.; has ice pack filled vest and headband and volunteer donated small fan for hot day wear; made mostly of formed foam rubber; volunteer wears tights, leotard & gloves; 7'1" tall;
-BEANIE does not talk - is accompanied by BEANIE Buddy who translates BEANIE mime;
-all volunteers - 24 now - are trained to be BEANIE and Buddy;
-volunteers include teens, adults, grandparents, City Council member, insurance man, lawyer, entire families;
-BEANIE identity always kept a secret as to who did each assignment;
-BEANIE is a registered trademark of the City of Lima;

CREATED to attract attention to neighborhood programs, promote neighborhood associations and citizen involvement in improving the quality of life in Lima and to teach people of all ages how to be a good neighbor;
CREATED as a big, green lima bean to match Lima name - first word that comes to mind when you see the bean is LIMA; also, it is ageless, gender-less and race-less - not belonging to any particular interest group or type of person, but is for ALL Lima area residents; is a fun way to look at and enjoy the goodness of Lima, Ohio.

IMPORTANT - BEANIE ALWAYS tied to neighborhood associations, volunteering and improving the quality of life in Lima.

BEANIE has own DARE card;

DARE card safety tip: A clean, friendly neighborhood is a nice place to live and a safe place to be. Be a good neighbor - walk on the sidewalk, say hello to neighbors, put litter in trash cans, keep your yard picked up, offer to help others and join a neighborhood association with your family. When you do, you'll be as happy as me and my BEANIE Buddies, living in Lima.

BEANIE Appearances:
-NBC Today Show window in New York City;
-mentioned in Wall Street Journal;
-article in Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Ship newsletter;
-article in Ohio magazine;
-articles in Cincinnati Post, Toledo Blade, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal newspapers;
-articles on BEANIE merchandise in BEANIE Mania and Mary Beth's Beanie World Magazines;
-appeared at State & Regional Community Development seminars to demonstrate Lima's Community Education Curriculum;
-radio interviews in Seattle, Washington; Dubuque, Iowa; Decatur, Illinois; Denver, Colorado and on National Public Radio;
-interviewed by United Press International and Associated Press;
-mentioned on CNN cable television and film segment done on CNBC America After Hours program;
-threw out first pitch for the Cincinnati REDS game on Lima Day at Riverfront stadium;
-local events, such as Star Spangled Spectacular; Square Fair, Family Fun Fair, National Volunteer Week at American Mall, DARE card signings, neighborhood association events, parades, with Lima's Battle of the Businesses team, tree planting in Robb Park, Trick or Treat night at Safety City, in St. Charles seventh grade Lima film documentary, 30 Good Neighbor presentations annually in 2nd grade classrooms, Lima West reading program good neighbor presentation, threw out first pitch at City Administration vs. City Council softball game, visit to nursing home as part of an Adopt-a-School good neighbor presentation, etc.

-BEANIE featured in 3 public service announcements on hazardous waste collection day, property maintenance tips from Good Neighbor Guide and Lima-Allen County Good Neighbor Awards;

-BEANIE - basis of Good Neighbor Second Grade curriculum and interactive presentation for 30 2nd grade classrooms - public and private in Lima (activity books, skit, song, stickers, autograph)

-official BEANIE autograph - capital or upper case B with smiley face in upper loop;

PHILOSOPHY: "Hi! I'm BEANIE - the Lima Bein'. I was sprouted from City wide pride in the very center of neighbors hearts, and I grow on good will. I am your Good Neighbor Guide. I promote community volunteerism, neighborhood life and good things about the City of Lima. Lima is full of wonderful neighbors and great neighborhoods and I humbly accept the honor of teaching good neighboring skills as we all work together to make Lima a great place to live!"

Anecdotes:

One little girl was selected to read her letter on how to make Lima a better place to the Mayor at the press conference . Prior to the BEANIE curriculum experience, she had not been a good student and was painfully shy. Her letter was featured in her classroom with a photo of her reading it at the press conference and then displayed at the all school open house. She had never been specially recognized before and was thrilled with the attention. She also began to try harder in her school work and was doing a better job. She became more accepted by the other children and more open around them.

One of the first people to give BEANIE a big hug during its debut at the 1995 Fourth of July celebration was a big, burly man. Not only are children attracted to BEANIE, but all ages are, especially the elderly.

BEANIE visited the Elderly Day Care center to promote the Good Neighbor Guide and thank day care people for assisting with mailing the quarterly neighborhood newsletter. One woman, who was blind, especially enjoyed BEANIE . She chuckled as she felt the costume from head to toe while avidly listening to a colleague's description of the big bean. She giggled in delight when she felt how big the bean's shoes were; this same woman was later filmed enjoying the bean and interviewed over the phone for the CNBC cable television show, America After Hours.

Even in New York City, renowned for people being cold, unfriendly and indifferent, BEANIE was a hit. As it walked down the streets, people not only smiled and said "Hi, BEANIE !" (name prominently displayed on its hat), but many stopped to shake it's hand and many also requested taking a photo with the bean. The big bean was a big hit in the Big Apple!

Children will meet with the BEANIE 2nd grade classroom instructor on the street, and even now, months after the classroom presentation say, "I remember you. You came to our classroom with BEANIE . My sister and I cleaned up our yard yesterday!" It seems clear that the children are remembering - and following - BEANIE 's good neighbor advice.

When BEANIE visits 2nd Grade classrooms he gives each student a "BEANIE Activity Book".

If you are in 2nd grade, ask your teacher to call the Neighborhood Specialist (419) 221-5177 to schedule a BEANIE visit to your classroom.

You'll have lots of fun and will learn new ways to be a Good Neighbor!

PROMOTE YOUR HOME TOWN (or the place you love to visit) with BEANIEwear.  For holiday, birthday and special occasion gifts, try BEANIEwear, featuring Lima mascot, BEANIE.

All proceeds from BEANIE products benefit Lima - Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership, (LACNIP), a coalition of 30 Lima area neighborhood associations.

BEANIEWARE products may be purchased at the Midway East Community Center, 727 East Kibby Street, Lima, Ohio Monday through Thursday between 1-5 p.m.

IMPORTANT ABOUT BEANIE WARE: Sold exclusively by Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership (LACNIP) with all profits going to LACNIP for neighborhood improvement projects. Buying a BEANIE product is supporting our neighborhoods.