|
Dribbling with Dad Impacts over 100 lives
By Tricia Hall
The Sojourner’s Truth reporter
Dads, with their sons and daughters, participated in the
annual Fatherhood Initiative celebration sponsored by YMCA
Fatherhood Initiative program, Wayman Palmer YMCA, and LMHA
on Saturday, June 18 at Wayman Palmer YMCA from 10:00 a.m.
until 1:30 p.m. |
 |
|
“This is my second year attending and supporting, I’m always
pleased by the number of vendors that support. I’m excited
to be here. This partnership and initiative is important
because we provide affordable housing, it’s all about
families. We want to invest in fathers, impact the families,
because often time’s fathers don’t receive the appreciation
they deserve. So we’re stepping up to celebrate fathers who
have stepped up as fathers or father-figures,” said Willie
C.H. Garrett, HUD director of field monitoring and
evaluation.
As in previous years, Toledo-area youth participated in
coloring and essay contests and received prizes from event
sponsors and supporters which included bikes, gift cards,
roller skating tickets, bowling tickets, movie tickets and
more. The program began with a quarter mile walk, family
orientated activities, basketball camp and skills training,
plus free shirts and basketballs.
“I want to thank the vendors, we had great vendors this
year. We have more fathers and families in attendance over
last year and we expect bigger and better for next year. I
appreciate all the volunteers and everyone who came out to
help. If you’re interested in volunteering next year contact
LMHA family self-sufficiency department or resident services
department,” explained Tonya Crawley, LMHA director of
Housing Choice Voucher program.
Event supporters were: The Home Depot, Fifth Third Bank,
Tarta, Walmart, Toledo Area Metroparks, Toledo Fire
Department, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Dairy Queen,
Splash Universe, Toledo MudHens, Toledo Walleye, Boy Scouts
of America, Skyway Financial Group LLC, Comexx Consulting
Inc., Rave Cinemas, Old Navy, The University of Toledo,
Toledo Zoo, The Butterfly House, Sportsway, Jimmy Jones and
Buckeye Express.
|
