Opportunities for Kindness
Graduating Senior Hoping to Maintain Community
We have a senior who will be going off to school and separated from their family. Would love to get them Amtrak gift cards/credit so they can travel to visit family when needed,for holidays, and feeling overwhelmed with being on their own on campus. They will not be able to have a car on campus.
National Sponsors
Ohio Sponsors
Recently Filled Needs
Transportation Help
Family in need of gas cards totalling $150 so they can take student to school.
Pantry Meals for Summer
Looking to collect pantry food items for family with 3 children and 1 adult. Items need to have a long shelf-life and require little to no prep time. Examples: mac and cheese, spaghett-Os, ramen noodles, granola bars, fruit cups, cereal, crackers/chips, canned beans/vegetables.
Could also include frozen, microwavable meals.
Items need to be accessible for a middle schooler and high schooler when adult is at work.
Pantry Foods for Families this Summer
We are in need of pantry foods to help families this summer with students who typically get their breakfasts and lunches at school:
- Beef and Chicken Ramen
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Fruit Cups
- Granola Bars
- Trail Mix
- Mini Muffins
- Easy Mac
- Applesauce
- Crackers
Boys Bike
New or gently used bike for a male going into high school. Please consider donating a bike for a male going into high school that has outgrown his bike. This will improve his summer tremendously, keeping him active, outside, and giving him a mode of transportation. Thank you!
Gift Cards Needed
Family in need of gift cards for groceries and gas. Kroger or Meijer preferable so they can access both.
Visa Gift Card for Documentation Help
Student in need of important personal documents replacement (SSN & Birth certificate). Cost would total $50.
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