On April 30, the Village of Hebron hosted 43025 Day, a celebration honoring the community’s zip code.

“We’re using it as an opportunity to celebrate our community, to celebrate everyone that lives in 43025, which is not just the village of Hebron. It actually goes out well beyond the boundaries of the village,” said Mayor Valerie Mockus. “I just want people to come together and spend time together.” 

Hebron’s Economic and Community Development team organized it, with Brittany Misner – the village’s economic and community development director – leading the efforts. She started in this role nearly two years ago and started planning 43025 around that same time. 

“[We’re] really excited to be able to celebrate something like this that only happens once in a hundred years,” Misner said. 

Hebron Mayor Valerie Mockus helped plan 43025 Day to celebrate community members across the 43025 zip code — not just Hebron residents. Credit: Ellie Owen
Hebron, Ohio celebrated 43025 day on 4/30/25 in honor of the village’s zip code. Credit: Ellie Owen

At the event, village leadership celebrated members of the community who helped make Hebron what it is today, including Hebron Village Council member Annelle Porter. 

“Her dedication has been exemplary and unwavering,” Mockus said about Porter, who was the first woman in Hebron to serve on Village Council, and has served as a councilmember for 50 years. 

The event served to memorialize two previous Hebron mayors, Mayor Ray Amore and Mayor Henry Porter, both of whom have passed away. Mockus presented their families with certificates of appreciation and decommissioned Hebron flags in honor of their dedication to the village. 

43025 Day was also a celebration of Hebron Police Officer Andrew Smith. 

In the early hours of April 16, Smith saved a family of four when he drove by their house at the end of his shift and noticed a strange, glowing light and knew that a fire had started in the home. He alerted the family and they were all able to make it out safely before the West Licking Fire Department came and assisted with putting out the fire. 

Andrew Smith, a Hebron police officer, was honored during the 43025 celebration. Credit: Ellie Owen

“The village of Hebron is lucky to have him,” Hebron Police Chief Larry Brooks said about Smith. 

Smith received two awards, one from the Police Department and the other from the Fire Department. And Mayor Mockus presented him with a letter of commendation. 

Smith thanked the West Licking Fire Department for putting out the fire, calling them “true professionals.” 

Licking County Commissioner Rick Black, a resident of 43025, also spoke at the event. 

“On behalf of the county commissioners, I’m presenting a certificate to the village of Hebron,” said Black. “This certificate commemorates a once-in-a-lifetime alignment of numbers and community pride.” 

The Hebron Historical Society had a booth at the village’s 43025 day celebration. Credit: Ellie Owen.
The Player’s Club, a Columbus-based band, performed during Hebron’s 43025 Day celebration. Credit: Ellie Owen

43025 day is also meant to be a day to appreciate the post office, and all they do for the citizens of the zip code. The event had a poster presentation with historic post office photos and memorabilia. 

The event lasted from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and was planned to be an evening activity so that people could experience the festivities after work. Throughout the evening, residents enjoyed free refreshments, popcorn, and cookies while listening to the band Player’s Club, who performed on the stage. Food trucks TacoMania and Moundbuilders Smoke Shack served food throughout the event. 

Ellie Owen writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.