Gini Jackson of East Liverpool is working to raise money to purchase a nativity scene identical to the one on display over the holidays at a Glenmoor Church to place in the Diamond in downtown East Liverpool. (Submitted photo)

EAST LIVERPOOL — Gini Jackson, 94, of East Liverpool, has a mission to expand the Christmas decorations for the Diamond in downtown East Liverpool.

Jackson wants to add to the tree she helped raise funds for last year by raising the funds to purchase a 14-piece life size nativity scene with lights to be placed with the tree in the Diamond.

To have the nativity scene arrive in time for Christmas 2026, it must be purchased by spring, Jackson said.

Jackson came up with the idea to raise the funds for the nativity after her kids surprised her with a drive to see the one set up over the holidays at a church in Glenmoor.

Jackson said she just fell in love with it and knew immediately that she needed to get one for East Liverpool.

She said she went to Mayor Bobby Smith and asked if it would be okay for her to try to raise funds for it, and the mayor said OK, and then she asked him if it would go in the Diamond, and he said yes.

Once Jackson got the mayor’s approval, she set to work on raising the $12,800 needed to purchase and have the nativity scene shipped.

Jackson said she is doing very well raising the money, but there is still a bit more to raise. She said with the weather being nice on Friday she went downtown to see what she could do and that she raised $4,000.

This is in addition to the $7,000, Smith said on Thursday she had already raised with $5,000 of that being a donation from the American Legion and the remainder coming from residents and businesses.

Jackson said she was thrilled to death to get that donation from the American Legion.

Smith estimates that she will need closer to $13,000 total due to the mounting hardware that will be needed to erect the nativity set.

Jackson said she is so excited about getting the nativity, she is already starting to make plans for Christmas around it.

She said the week before Christmas she has lined up five story tellers who will be at the nativity scene sharing the story of the birth of Christ for children, and Chef Ray will supply hot chocolate for the readings.

“I’m so excited about it,” Jackson said. “This is my last big thing. After raising the money for the Christmas tree, I thought I was done, but after I saw this nativity, I thought I’m going to do this,” Jackson said. “I get so tuckered out because I’m so old, but I get so enthused about things and the enthusiasm gets me going.”

Anyone wanting to donate can make one at the mayor’s office at East Liverpool City Hall or mail a check made out to The Potters Progress Fund with nativity in the memo line to Mayor’s Office, East Liverpool City Hall 126 W. 6th St., East Liverpool, Ohio, 43920.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com