Opportunities for Kindness
Reusable water bottles
Schools are asking students bring water bottles to school to keep hydrated during the pandemic. The drinking fountains have been turned off to help control the spread of the virus. There are some students reporting that they do not have a water bottle to use.
We are looking for a business or organization to donate 100 water bottles that we can provide to students. If you have some to donate, we would like to talk with you. Please use the I Can Help! button below.
Family in need of clothing and bedding
We have a family who lost their home over the summer and are working hard to get things back to normal for their family. Mom just got a job working at a restaurant so that will hopefully help the situation.
There are 4 boys, some with special needs, who need boots, sweatshirts, coats, hats, and gloves. COATS, HATS AND GLOVES ARE PURCHASED!
Sizes are:
- Medium Adult, shoe size: Adult 8.5
- Small Adult shoe size: Adult 7
- Large boy's shoe size: Adult 5
- 8/10 boys shoe size 1.5
For their home they need
Two twin beds or a bunk bed.
A blender
Bath towels - TOWELS HAVE BEEN DONATED!
We will accept new or gently used items or you can make a donation here: https://bit.ly/giveworthington. If making a financial contribution, please indicate "Family" in the last field so it goes to this project.
Thanks for caring for the children of our community!
Holiday help for Worthington families
Would you like to help out a Worthington family in need this holiday season? We will be working with the schools to identify families who may be in need of extra support this holiday season. Each family will fill out a form with wish list items and needs to help get you started. We ask that a minimum of $50 is spent on each person in the family but you are welcome to spend more. You will need to wrap all gifts and deliver them to a single drop off spot in mid-December (location TBD but in the Worthington area). If you are interested please fill out the form with your contact information and desired family size. We are currently gathering a list of families and will begin assigning them out by early November.
Devices for students in need
We have many families in out district who lack the technology to be successful. While the schools have loaned Chromebooks to students, this was only meant to be temporary so we are looking to help those in need obtain their own device.
We have developed a partnership with TeamLogic IT who can take older devices, regardless of the operating system. and reimage them into Chromebooks. if you have an older machine and would like to donate it, please review the minimum requirements.
- 2 GB or more of RAM
- USB Port
- Built-in Wi-Fi adapter
- Hard drive
- All hardware items in good working order
- Age of device is less than 6 yrs. old
- Prefer to have built-in camera and speakers
All machines will be wiped to protect your information. Should the machine be rejected, it will be recycled by the company.
If you have any devices that can be used, please click I CAN HELP link below.
Recently Filled Needs
Car for 18 year old student
We are working with an 18 year old high school student with reliable transportation. He is finishing his senior year but it's challenging due to a difficult situation. A mentor helped him secure a job and he's trying hard to provide for himself. We have a donor for licensing and insurance for one year but we need a vehicle to help him. We will manage the title transfer and provide you with a receipt for your donation.
Please reach out if you can help by using the I CAN HELP button below and someone will be in contact with you.
Local Mom in Need
Local Mom is looking for furniture and household items to make their new apartment complete. This family has an opportunity to start over in a new, safe living environment. Mom is looking forward to being reuinited with her daughters (4 yrs & 6yrs) and could use help making their apartment more homey. In search of items including a couch (FILLED), coffee table (FILLED), TV, area rug, lamps, appliances (i.e. toaster, coffee maker) cooking utensils, pots/pans, and sheets (FILLED) & blankets (FILLED) for 1 full and 2 twin beds. She would also appreciate gently used toys suitable for young girls.
Rent Assistance
Please consider helping a Worthington family who has been in the district for years! Mom recently lost her job due to COVID layoffs, but has been successful in finding new employment! However, she is worried that she will not be able to cover her family's $1100 rent due October 1st because she will not receive her first paycheck until after that time.
Masks for Worthington Schools
Our school kids and staff will be returning to the school building Sept. 29, and will be required to wear masks. Worthington Mask Makers is a group formed to ensure all students can meet the mask requirements when the Worthington School District moves to the hybrid model. They are seeking donations to help with supplies. Items we need include:
• A monetary donation to purchase supplies through Worthington Bridges
• Woven cotton fabric (quilter’s fabric) or cotton bed sheets
• 1/8” Elastic or soft string for tie masks
• Zip Lock sandwich bags to keep masks clean and sanitary.
We are also looking for volunteers. You don’t have to know how to sew to help. We also can use help with prewashing the fabric, tracing/cutting out the pattern and cutting elastic. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, reach out to Annette Witherspoon at [email protected] or join the Worthington Mask Makers Facebook group. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2661902687462369)
Click the I CAN HELP button below to tell us how you want to join this effort. Thanks for helping us protect our students and teachers!!
Mom & Son Need Gas Cards
A family in Worthington was impacted by COVID-19, causing a single-mom to lose her job. She is starting a new job next week, but she fears that she will not be able to get to and from work without assistance for gas.
Family in Need of Back to School Help
A Worthington family of 7 is struggling to make ends meet. The COVID crisis has made it more difficult for the parents to find better employment.
The family includes 4 school aged kids and a baby.
Kids ages are 15, 13, 9, 6, 2 months.
Due to the crisis, we are not looking for used items for this family. There are a couple ways you can help.
1. Use this link to donate and we will turn it into gift cards: bit.ly/giveworthington (please indicate "family" in the last field of the form.
2. Purchase/donate gift cards from Meijer, Target, and Walmart.
Thank you for your consideration and generosity so this family can help their kids get back to school.
National Sponsors
Ohio Sponsors
Kindness Council Members
About Worthington
Ray Lees, Area Director
Ray is an adoptive father of eight children. He and his husband, Matt, have lived in Worthington since 2003. Ray has served in PTA leadership positions at Worthington Estates Elementary and Worthingway Middle School. As a former teacher, Ray volunteers regularly to assist teachers with student screenings, tutoring and individual assistance. Prior to becoming a full-time parent, Ray held numerous roles in large and small businesses in Central Ohio. He was a process consultant for Nationwide, network administrator for Behal Sampson and Dietz architecture, training specialist for Nationwide and Sarcom, and a first and third grade teacher. Ray holds a bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University.