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Opportunities for Kindness
Weekly Food Bags for Symmes Elementary Students
Sycamore Bridges is working with Sycamore Presbyterian Church to help fill weekly food bags for 85 students at Symmes Elementary. Thanks to a generous designated gift, we have been helping fund the bags since the start of the school year, while Sycamore Presbyterian handles the lion's share of the work, collecting shelf stable items, assembling the bags, and delivering them to Symmes Elementary for distribution. As the holidays wind down, we have been asked to supplement their offerings with additional items the kids have requested. For January and February, we are collecting Chef Boyardee Chicken and Rice Microwavable Bowls, Horizon Milk and Del Monte Fruit Cups. Our goal is to collect 170+ of each item. These 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.
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Ohio Sponsors
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Recently Filled Needs
Restaurant Gift Card
Sycamore Bridges is working with a community advocate to assist a custodial grandparent of three young children as they complete a strenuous round of chemotherapy. We have been asked to provide a restaurant gift card to mark the end of a very intense treatment that required a lengthy hospital stay. With a terminal diagnosis, the family hopes to celebrate this small milestone together. Thanks to a kind donor, this request was filled before being posted. No additional donations are needed.
Diaper Donation
Sycamore Bridges received a generous donation of Size 5 diapers, the most requested size across our community. These items were placed with families who utilize our local food pantry. No additional donations are needed at this time; however, we are always accepting NEW donations of diapers (especially larger sizes) and baby wipes.
Kroger Gift Card
Sycamore Bridges is working with a school nurse to assist a family with three Sycamore students. The family moved to the area a while back to receive medical care from Cincinnati Children's Hospital. They recently learned their youngest child must take a leave of absence from school to continue their treatments, making full time employment nearly impossible for the family. We have been asked to provide a $300 Kroger gift card to get them through the next month while they adjust to this news and apply for additional services. Thanks to a generous donor, this request was filled before being posted! No additional donations are needed.
Overdue Duke Bill - Filled!
Sycamore Bridges is working with a community advocate to assist a single mom of two Sycamore students with her overdue Duke bill. Having the kids home all through Thanksgiving and Winter Break is taking a toll on mom's budget and she's falling behind on her utility payment. We have not helped this family before, and our advocate believes that getting mom over this hurdle will allow her the financial freedom to get ahead of her upcoming expenses. We have been asked to cover the entirety of her $388.29 outstanding balance. Thanks to a generous donation, this request was filled before being posted!
HVAC Unit
Sycamore Bridges is working with a community advocate to assist a custodial grandmother of two Sycamore students with the purchase of a new HVAC unit. The family lives on a fixed income that does not allow for this unexpected but emergent expense, especially as the cold weather settles in. Our advocate is working with a reputable company who has given a tremendous discount to get the unit installed on short order. We would like to cover as much of the $3600 bill as possible. Thanks to a very generous gift, we only have $600 left to collect. If you would like to offer assistance, CLICK HERE and designate your donation to "HVAC Unit".
Help with Overdue Bills
Sycamore Bridges is working with a Sycamore school counselor to assist a family whose working parent was injured on the job a year ago. The parent has been in therapy and rehab since that time and will be returning to work after the first of the year. However, with reduced income over the past year, the family has fallen behind on their utility bills. We have been asked to cover as much of their outstanding electric and water bills as possible, totaling $1,228.86. Thanks to a generous gift, we only have $478.86 left to collect. If you would like to offer assistance, CLICK HERE and designate your donation to "Utility Assistance".
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Thank You!
About Sycamore
Lori Drasnin is an active Sycamore parent and volunteer. 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. Over the past decade, Lori has chaired too many PTO events and fundraisers to count and brought innovation and updated programs to our local schools. Lori also organized a Bedtime Bundle collection from the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter from 2014-2017, and served on the board of Ohio Cleats for Kids (C4K) until taking this role.
Lori holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan, as well as 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, has two boys, Matthew and Ryan, and two puggles, Max & Erma.
Lori enjoys serving the greater Sycamore community and bridging kindness across the neighborhood.