The Dowd Center Olympics 2011

Thanks to David Zid and the Columbus Rotary for sponsoring the 3rd Annual Dowd Olympics yesterday. 45 children ages k - 8th grade competed in obstacle courses, long jump, sit ups, push ups, etc as well as learning about good nutrition. Many proud moms, dads, siblings and HFF staff and Board.

Fun New Tables....

ABB Inc. volunteers from left to right: Daryl Davis, Electronics Technician; Bill Buss, Applications Consultant; Dave Chappell, Proposal Engineer; Sarah Zaremba, Marketing Communications Manager; Stephanie McCool, Business Administrator; Susan Dudley, Administrative Assistant; Christian Colon, Breadstick Specialist; Miguel Colon, Electronics Technician; not pictured – Cassie Phipps, Senior Software Engineer.

Tuesday, February 16, 2011 proved sweeter than Valentine’s Day for the children who attend The Homeless Families Foundation Dowd Education Center. This is the day that volunteers from ABB Inc. in Westerville brought a pizza party to them to help celebrate the new tables in the Center cafeteria. ABB Inc. in Westerville applied to the ABB Inc. Foundation for a sizable grant that secured ten, 12-stool modern, easy to clean, easy to move cafeteria tables. The new tables provide greater safety for the children and greater flexibility in using our large upstairs room. We truly appreciate this gift and all that ABB Inc. has done for us for the last few years. ABB Inc. is one of the world’s leading engineering companies. They help customers use electrical power effectively and increase industrial productivity in a sustainable way. Their corporate culture allows them to reach out into the communities where they work and we are very grateful that these wonderful people continue to come alongside The Homeless Families Foundation.

Daytime Columbus

Adrienne Corbett our Executive Director will be on Daytime Columbus with Gail Hogan today at 11:00 on channel 4....Please join us....

Barnes and Noble Reading Program

The Barnes and Noble Reading Program for the Dowd was buy one children’s book and by a second book to be donated to the Dowd Center. They brought approximately 1000 books, kindergarten through middle school.

The pictures show Stephanie Mendelson, the Dowd Center’s Reading Interventionist, working with a group of children in the library at the Dowd Center. The books the children and Ms. Mendelson are reading are some of the books donated by Barnes and Noble.

Thank you....

The Holiday Season at The Homeless Families Foundation was once again very busy and festive. We would like to thank those who made the holidays a special time for our children and their families. With overwhelming community support we were able to provide a wonderful holiday for well over 200 children, helping over 100 families.

Your kindness and generosity have helped make a difference in the lives of our families. It is only through community partners like you that we are able to achieve our Mission to provide shelter, support, stability, and nurturing for homeless children and their families as they prepare to acquire and maintain permanent housing. We thank you again for your concern, support and generosity.

Evening Street Elementary

Children reaching out to other children – the third grade classes from Evening Street Elementary in Worthington gave the gift of their talents to the children at the Homeless Families Foundation. The Evening Street students wrote individual stories about a favorite animal. After illustrating their special stories, they donated a stuffed animal AND fashioned gift bags decorated as the animal described in their story. Adrienne Corbett, HFF Executive Director met with the children to talk with them about the challenges of being homeless and answered many thoughtful and insightful questions. Special thanks to Mrs. Smith who coordinates this activity.

This is a copy of the letter we received with a wonderful check!

Hello, my name is Annie Davis. I am a sixth grader at Saint Michael School in Worthington, Ohio. I was reading an article that said there was not enough room in the shelter to allow any more people in. I felt very bad; I have everything I need, and those people don't have even a warm blanket. That's when I though of an idea. I though that since I am a Christian, I need to do whatever it takes to protect God's people. I told Anna Sabatino, one of the four sixth grade student council members, my idea that we all bring in blankets. She took along Olivia Di Carlo as the guest that day, who helped persuade the student council to do something. They brought the idea up, but they all thought of a better idea. They thought we should gather money to send in so you could use it however you need.

We had a dress-down day on December 10, 2010 to raise money. Everyone who paid two dollars could dress our of uniform, while of course following our dress code. We raised over $1,000 dollars. Anna, Olivia, and I are very proud and happy to present the money to you today. We sincerly hope this will help with whatever you may need to purchase and allow more people in.

Yours truly,
Annie, Anna and Olivia