Home About Communities Latest News Podcast Contact
Olentangy

Welcome to

Olentangy Bridges

Donate

Subscribe

Enter your email to be notified when new needs are posted.

Opportunities for Kindness

Couch Needed


In need of a new or gently used family room couch.

Non-perishable snack/meal items for summer


Looking for easy, quick snack meals that are kid-friendly for the summer months. Should be something a 10 and 12-year-old can get/prepare for themselves when their parent is at work during the day.

You can purchase items and drop off or make a monetary donation towards groceries. Thank you!

National Sponsors

Ohio Sponsors

Recently Filled Needs

Backpack Needed


High schooler in need of a backpack to transport his school work between home and school. Larger size preferred. 

Help Transporting High School Student


Help with transporting student to activities to maintain sense of normalcy while in foster care. Uber or Lyft gift cards are being requested. 

Displaced Family Wanting To Maintain Sense of Normalcy


We have a family with two high schoolers who are currently out of their home. They would benefit from gift card donations to help free up money to help support finding stable housing. Requesting restaurant gift cards, gas cards, and cards for activities like the movies, bowling, etc. 

Prom Dress


Student in need of prom dress

Clinic in need of pants


Clinic is in need of boys pants/shorts size 5/6 and 7/8. Also some snacks.

Student in need of Uber gift card


We have a student who's family does not have transportation and needs Uber gift cards to get to Graduation practice and the Graduation Ceremony. 
+373 more
Thank You!

About Olentangy

Betsy Thorne - Area Director 

Betsy has been an Olentangy resident for over 11 years. She was born and raised in Westerville then attended Ohio University where she met her wife, Nikki. Nikki and Betsy have 2 children in the Olentangy district. Both children are active in sports in the district, participating in soccer, football, basketball and gymnastics. Nikki works for a software company out of Phoenix as well as coaches soccer for Columbus United. Betsy worked at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants corporate office for several years before becoming a stay at home Mom when their first child was born, and now works part time for Stratosphere Consulting. Betsy has enjoyed giving back through volunteering in her children’s schools, working with pet rescues and helping with various fundraisers throughout Columbus. Betsy is so excited to promote kindness throughout the Olentangy district with neighborhood bridges.

Heather Gavlak - Area Director

My name is Heather Gavlak and I live in Delaware, OH with my husband, Bobby, and our 3 kids, Grace (8th), Mitch (4th) and Andy (1st) all in Olentangy Schools. I am an Enterprise Architecture Manager for PNC Bank by day and an advocate for Gift of Adoption and Neighborhood Bridges. I feel very strongly about ensuring that children have what they need to be successful and know that they are well loved. In my free time I love to read and watch every sport my children play - which is literally every sport imaginable. As a family, we have a passion for doughnuts and travel around the globe trying all the doughnut places we can find and posting photos of the adventure (@Doughnutters). Unsolicited recommendations for amazing doughnut places are strongly encouraged :)

Our Steering Committee:

Katie Guntle – LC Realty Association

David Lester – Community Member

Julie Feasel – Women Giving Together

Karen Waters – Women Giving Together

Brandon Lester – Olentangy School Board

Ashlee Gianetti – Columbus United Soccer

Tyler & Tess Elavsky – Ethos Church

Contact Us

© 2025 Neighborhood Bridges. All Rights Reserved.
Made with by The Langley Group