Mason residents can honor a fallen Marine's legacy through a community food drive and online auction as the city marks the second annual Built Like Noah L. Day on Friday, Oct. 23.
The city is partnering with the Noah Lippeatt Foundation for the event, which honors Lance Corporal Noah Lippeatt, a 2021 Mason High School graduate and varsity wrestler who died in a motorcycle accident on June 16, 2024, in Washington, D.C. He was 21.
Noah enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2023 and served with Marine Barracks 8th and I Washington, D.C. Guard Company. He was hearing impaired but never let that define him, according to WCPO, which first reported on the inaugural event in October 2025.
His mother, Tara Lippeatt, told WCPO in October 2025 that Noah adopted the phrase "built different" after she used it to encourage him as a kid. "He adopted that phrase 'built different' all the way through the Marine Corps, and he truly was built different," she said.
The city introduced Built Like Noah L. Day in 2025. The event falls on the fourth Friday in October, aligning with Make a Difference Day.
This year's food drive benefits the Mason Food Pantry, according to the city's event page. Donation barrels will be available at Mason Community Center, 6050 Mason Montgomery Road, from Sunday, Oct. 18 through Oct. 23. The pantry, at 406 4th Ave., also accepts donations every Monday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Items most needed include canned pineapple, canned mixed fruit, canned peaches, canned pears, mayo, ketchup, flour, sugar, oil, salt, jam or jelly, cleaning supplies and deodorant.
An online auction runs Oct. 18 through Oct. 23 as well. Proceeds support the Noah Lippeatt Foundation, which provides emergency travel assistance and care packages to members of the USMC Guard Company, and the Mason Food Pantry. Bids can be placed online or in person at Mason Community Center.
Volunteer opportunities extend through the weekend. Family Promise of Warren County needs 15 to 20 volunteers ages 12 and older on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at 15 North East St. in Lebanon to help organize its furniture ministry. Comet Cupboard, which addresses food insecurity for Mason City School District students, needs 10 volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Mason Intermediate School to assemble food packs. The Mason Food Pantry needs five volunteers for food shopping on Oct. 24 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Residents with questions can contact the city at 513-229-8500 or [email protected].
Upcoming community events:
- Oct. 21: Free menopause and mental health talk at Mason
- Oct. 23: Built Like Noah L. Day food drive wraps up at Mason Community Center
- Oct. 24: Comet Cupboard and Mason Food Pantry volunteer shifts
