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Opportunities for Kindness
Winter Coat Collection for Operation Give Back
On the Wish ListWith the first taste of cooler temps, we have been asked to help Operation Give Back collect winter coats, hats and gloves for their annual giveaway taking place at the end of October. OGB is expecting record numbers this year, so we created many ways for you to offer assistance. Our collection will run from now until October 20. How can you help?
1. We are collecting very gently used winter coats in all sizes (infant, toddler, youth and adult). Gently used items should be free of rips, tears, holes, and stains, and they must have working zippers, snaps, and buttons. We are also accepting gently used hats, gloves, and mittens. If you would like to donate any of these items, reply to this post and we will email you a list of drop off locations.
2. We curated an extensive AMAZON REGISTRY of winter coats for your shopping convenience. All items are under $40. Just select "Sycamore Bridges" at shipping to have your coats sent directly to us. (Reply to this post if you would like a tax receipt for your Amazon purchases.)
3. If you prefer to shop at a local retailer for new coats, hats, and/or gloves, let us know and we will send you a list of drop-off locations. All items must be received by October 20. Tax receipts are available upon request.
4. If you would like Sycamore Bridges to shop on your behalf, you can make a financial contribution. Any and all amounts are greatly appreciated. Extra funds give us the flexibility to fill in sizes and styles as we near the giveaway event. To make a donation, CLICK HEREand designate your gift to “Winter Coats”.
1. We are collecting very gently used winter coats in all sizes (infant, toddler, youth and adult). Gently used items should be free of rips, tears, holes, and stains, and they must have working zippers, snaps, and buttons. We are also accepting gently used hats, gloves, and mittens. If you would like to donate any of these items, reply to this post and we will email you a list of drop off locations.
2. We curated an extensive AMAZON REGISTRY of winter coats for your shopping convenience. All items are under $40. Just select "Sycamore Bridges" at shipping to have your coats sent directly to us. (Reply to this post if you would like a tax receipt for your Amazon purchases.)
3. If you prefer to shop at a local retailer for new coats, hats, and/or gloves, let us know and we will send you a list of drop-off locations. All items must be received by October 20. Tax receipts are available upon request.
4. If you would like Sycamore Bridges to shop on your behalf, you can make a financial contribution. Any and all amounts are greatly appreciated. Extra funds give us the flexibility to fill in sizes and styles as we near the giveaway event. To make a donation, CLICK HEREand designate your gift to “Winter Coats”.
On behalf of Operation Give Back and Sycamore Bridges, we appreciate your help in making sure our neighbors are ready for the colder months.
National Sponsors
Ohio Sponsors
Kindness Council Members
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Recently Filled Needs
Junior High Seeks Long-Term Math Sub
Sycamore Bridges is working with Sycamore Junior High School to once again help fill a long-term substitute position for 7th grade math. The ideal candidate should be licensed as a math teacher and available to fill the position through December. This paid job requires the teacher to plan with the current Junior High math team and prepare lessons for class. For more details about the position, reply to this post and we will connect you to the Junior High.
Weekly Food Bags for Symmes Elementary Students
On the Wish ListSycamore Bridges is again partnering with our Kindness Council member, Sycamore Presbyterian Church, to help fill weekly food bags for 92 students at Symmes Elementary this year. (This number has risen by 10 students from last year.) Symmes offers our most vulnerable families the opportunity to take home a weekly bag filled with kid-friendly, shelf-stable food items that young children can prepare on their own. Thanks to a designated grant, we will again help fund these bags every week, while Sycamore Presbyterian handles the lion's share of the work by collecting food, assembling the bags, and delivering them to Symmes Elementary for distribution. As the program kicks off for this school year, we have been asked to supplement their offerings with additional items the kids request. For October's distribution, we are collecting Horizon Milk and Cherry Fruit Cups. These items can be purchased at your favorite grocery or warehouse store, or you are welcome to use our Amazon list and PURCHASE HERE to have them shipped directly to us (just select "Sycamore Bridges" at checkout). If you would like to shop on your own, reply to this post and delivery instructions will be emailed to you.
Mental Health Therapy for At-Risk High School Student
Sycamore Bridges is working with the Sycamore Schools social worker to assist an at-risk high school student with recommended weekly therapy. The student exhibits disorderly behavior that is causing interruptions to their learning. In an effort to keep the child in the classroom setting, the student was referred to counseling. The student's health insurance does not cover these sessions, so we have been asked to fund six weeks of therapy to offset the family's out of pocket expense. Our social worker has negotiated a reduced rate for our payments, and thanks to the generosity of Kindness Council member MENTAL MATTERS MISSION, this request was filled before being posted. Mental Matters Mission is dedicated to ensuring that mental and behavioral health services are accessible to all youth ages 0-25 regardless of financial ability. They fulfill their mission by funding the mental health care of young people who are uninsured or underinsured throughout the city of Cincinnati and beyond. We are so grateful for this partnership the allows our students to receive the help they need without financial burden. No additional donations are needed at this time.
Electric Bill Assistance for Single Parent
Sycamore Bridges is working with a counselor at Sycamore Junior High to help a single parent with their electric bill ($289.34). The parent recently started a full-time job that will allow them to cover their monthly expenses going forward; but they are currently playing catch-up with their bills for the downtime they were only working part-time. The parent has never been late with their electric bill and is hoping we can cover this expense before they receive a late fee. If you would like to offer assistance, CLICK HERE and designate your donation to "Electric Bill".
Baby Clothing - FILLED
Sycamore Bridges received a beautiful donation of gently used newborn clothing to pass along to a new mom in our community. Thanks to our amazing advocates, we found a grateful family who could use the help as they navigate parenthood on one income. No additional donations are needed at this time.
Sycamore HS Bridges Backroom Restock
Sycamore Bridges is refilling our Sycamore HS Bridges Backroom! This personal hygiene pantry is housed in the counseling department at Sycamore High School, and available to any student who may not otherwise have access to basic necessities. This month's restock includes body wash, feminine hygiene products, and of course, deodorant. We want to make sure all students' needs are being met, especially while at school. This project is generously funded by our monthly donors; however, the pantries' usages at Sycamore High School, Sycamore Junior High, and Greene School are starting to exceed our monthly collection. We are always accepting full-sized hygiene products. Just reply to this post for drop off locations. If you prefer to make a donation to support the purchase of products for the Bridges Backrooms CLICK HERE and designate your gift to "Bridges Backrooms".
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Thank You!
About Sycamore
Lori Drasnin, Area Director
Lori Drasnin is an active volunteer and proud parent of two Sycamore alumni (Matthew, ‘24 and Ryan, ‘26). She previously served as PTO President for Montgomery Elementary, as well as PTO Treasurer at Montgomery Elementary, E.H. Greene Intermediate, and Sycamore Junior High School. Lori has chaired too many PTO events and fundraisers to count, and brought innovation and updated programming to our local schools. Lori transitioned to her volunteer director role with neighborhood bridges Sycamore when it launched in May 2019, and has since overseen more than $1M in giving to the Sycamore community.
Lori holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Emory University. She practiced liability defense for six years at Dinsmore in Cincinnati, OH before "retiring" to stay home and raise her children. Lori is married to husband, Jeff, and enjoys empty-nesting with her rescue pup, Penny.