2014 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together

The 2014 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place at the eStem Academy of Reynoldsburg High School's Summit Campus on Sunday, November 23, 2014, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Link to more photos.

Sponsors included:

• ACTION Ohio
• Starfish Alliance and LINK22 
• Reynoldsburg City Schools 
• National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section 
• Ohio Attorney General's Office 
• Dave Thomas Foundation 
• Half Price Books 

Additional Support and Sponsorship details: 

• Starfish Alliance and LINK22 was a huge help in the planning and orchestration of this event
• Columbus Gives Back assisted in organizing Suits for Success and Pay It Forward baby supplies 
• FCAA Ohio sponsored the cost of the turkey and dressing 
• NCWJ Columbus made all the side dishes 
• Desserts were provided, thanks to Melinda Sykes Haggarty, Amy Eaton and Sean Reilly 
• Kelly St. John provided children's craft supplies 

Planning Committee Members included: 

• Lisa Dickson and Kelly St. John, ACTION Ohio 
• Ann Bischoff, Starfish Alliance and LINK22 
• Melinda Sykes Haggarty, Ohio Attorney General's Office 
• Regina Douglas, Franklin County Children Services 
• Randi Lewis ,National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section 
• Jen Foster, Village Network ~ Columbus 
• Amy Eaton, ODJFS 
• Reynoldsburg City Schools High School Leo Club

2014 NW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2014 NW Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place at The Anderson's Activity Center on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Sponsors included:

• The Andersons
• The Dave Thomas Foundation
• Northwest Ohio Youth Advisory Board
• Nirvana Now!
• Northwest Ohio Wendy's Wonderful Kids
• Lucas County Children Services
• Lucas County CASA
• Foster Care Alumni of America Ohio chapter

Additional Support and Sponsorship details:

• Nirvana Now was a huge help with event publicity and identifying a caterer
• Lucas County Children Services provided beverages and desserts
• FCAA Ohio sponsored the meal, and provided baby clothes, raffle prizes and Suits for Success
• Judy Leb assisted with table coverings
• WWK provided raffle prizes

Planning Committee Members include:

• Lisa Dickson and Doris Edelmann, FCAA Ohio chapter
• Dameon Caldwell, NW Ohio Youth Advisory Board
• Marjory Curry & Associates LLC
• Judy Leb, Lucas County CASA
• Cece Norwood, Nirvana Now!
• Rachel Adler and Britney Baker, Wendy's Wonderful Kids
• Aimee Falk, University of Toledo

2014 NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The 2014 NE Ohio Thanksgiving dinner took place at Saint Ignatius High School on Sat. Nov. 15, from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Sponsors included:

• Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
• National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section
• St. Colman Catholic Church
• Antioch Baptist Church
• Adoption Network Cleveland
• Fostering the Soul
• The Purple Project
• Dave Thomas Foundation
• ACTION Ohio

Additional Support and Sponsorship details:

• Adoption Network Cleveland donated 10 gift cards, and assisted with volunteers and beverages
• Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services provided the meal, and received a donation for event photography
• Fill This House donated 9 gift cards
• Fostering the Soul donated additional gift cards, and toiletry items
• Junior League of Cleveland donated toiletry items
• NCJW Cleveland created knitted scarves and hats, and donated toiletry items
• The Purple Project donated toiletry items
• St. Ignatius High School students assisted with set-up, decoration, and serving, as part of their service hours
• ACTION Ohio provided 150 drawstring bags, raffle prizes, baby clothes, Suits for Success, and toiletry items

Planning Committee Members:

• Danielle Green-Welch, Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services
• Lisa Dickson, ACTION Ohio
• Betsie Norris, Adoption Network Cleveland
• Ilah Adkins
• LaTasha Watts, The Purple Project
• Beth Dawson, The Development Project and Fostering the Soul

2014 SW Ohio Thanksgiving Together

Link to more photos.

The Southwest Ohio Thanksgiving Together took place at The People's Church on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 from noon - 2:30 pm.

Event Sponsors included:

• The People's Church
• Coalition of Care
• Dave Thomas Foundation
• Foster Care Alumni of America Ohio chapter
• The Forgotten Initiative

Additional Support and Sponsorship details:

• HEMI mentors will provide transportation as needed for their mentees
• Home Emporium donated picnic baskets for leftovers
• The Forgotten Initiative provided 24 gift bags for the children of foster care alumni
• Small groups at The People's Church created 20 gift baskets, and received a donation of 300 totes
• Montgomery County donated toiletry items
• Saint Paul Community United Methodist Church donated pumpkins for centerpieces

Planning Committee Members:

• Katie Deyo, The People's Church and Coalition of Care.
• Lisa Dickson, Sarah Callihan, Laquita Howell, and Doris Edelmann, ACTION Ohio
• Val Bairnsfather, Safe Pastures Transitional Living
• Annie Schellenger, HEMI

2014 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

In 2014, the Ohio Reach Summit and the Connecting the Dots conference were combined for the purpose of "Fostering Pathways to Success."

One resource available during this conference was Suits for Success, a program initiated by the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, in partnership with the Ohio State Bar Association.

2014 Advocates for Families First Training

From Oct. 27 - Oct. 30, 2014, Lisa Dickson of the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America participated in advocacy training hosted by NACAC and Advocates for Families First.

She was accompanied by Betsie Norris of Adoption Network Cleveland, Rhonda Marsh of Richland County's Kinship Navigator Program and Beth Philley, OCWTP trainer and CASA volunteer.