Peace, Love, Lemonade

Getting our kids involved in giving back to the community is something that most parents I talk to are really passionate about.  We want our children to understand more of the world around them and how even the smallest actions can make a big difference. I personally love the LemonAiD program with The Salvation Army Central Ohio where children host a lemonade stand (in person or virtual) and give back to their community. 100% of the funds raised are used to provide food and programs that lift children out of homelessness and poverty. It is a great way to make that first introduction into community service. 

Parents, Andrea and Dan with their girls Libby and Hannah agree that The Salvation Army LemonAiD program is a great way for “Kids to help kids.” They raised over $1,400 last year with their virtual stand called “Peace, Love, and Lemonade.” This year they plan to meet or exceed that goal by hosting both a virtual and a physical stand where both Libby and Hannah can sell delicious lemonade. 

When asked how they were able to raise so much money, last year, in the middle of the pandemic, Andrea replied, “We shared it with our friends and family using both social media and texting.”  

Looking for inspiration to promote your LemonAid stand? Andrea, Dan, Libby, and Hannah have you covered. 

What started as a fun thing to do with their kids and families to give back to the community has since turned into an annual tradition that they just love! What a great family tradition to be able to teach your children about giving back to the community while having so much fun!

Did you know?

●     1 in 4 children in Central Ohio live in poverty

●     1 in 5 children in our community go to bed hungry.

●     1 in 5 children are alone and unsupervised during the hours after school

●     Only 15% of Ohio's K-12 children participate in after-school programs

●     1 in 30 children in Ohio experience homelessness.

Looking to host your own lemonade stand? It’s easy to sign up, FREE, and offers you an opportunity to get involved in giving back to the community! 

HOW TO GET STARTED. IT'S EASY!

STEP 1 — Register

●     Register online at salvtionarmylemonaid.org  

STEP 2 — Choose the Day, Time, Location, and name for your stand

●     The LemonAiD Campaign runs thru July 31, 2021. Pick a date and time that work for your schedule!

STEP 3— Secure your supplies.

●     A LemonAiD Kit will be sent to you once you have registered. The kit will include a sign for your stand, buttons, and a brochure with helpful tips.

●     Parents provide the stand/table, cash box, the lemonade, and cups. Set your own prices or simply ask for a donation.

●     Decorations (very important!). Kids typically enjoy making additional signs and decorating their stand.  

STEP 4 — Promote. Promotion is key.

●     Let your family, friends, and neighbors know about your stand with flyers, emails, social media, and signs. Remember to post photos to facebook.com/Salvation.Army.Columbus 

STEP 5 — Start selling at your custom LemonAiD Stand!  

The Salvation Army will perform weekly drawings for a $25 Graeter’s Gift Certificate!

At the end of the promotion (July 31st) will receive, in the mail, a small thank you from The Salvation Army and our sponsors/partners.  Be sure to sign up today!

Pollinator Palooza at Franklin Park Conservatory - FREE Event in Columbus

Franklin Park Conservatory is an absolute family favorite. We love it there.  I could spend all day exploring and taking it all in and thankfully my kids love it just as much, especially the Children’s Garden.  In just a few weeks you can celebrate the birds, bees, butterflies, and all of the creates that make our gardens grow during Pollinator Palooza!!  It’s already on our schedule and we CANNOT WAIT! The best part? It’s FREE! You don’t need reservations or tickets to take part in Pollinator Palooza.  

Let’s go over some of the most important details 

Saturday, June 19th, 2021 

11am - 3pm 

FREE 

It’s a great event for all ages! 

Pollinator Palooza is the best way to have fun while learning about pollinators and raising awareness for all of the amazing creatures that help our gardens grow! This event includes crafts, music, garden tours, and MORE. 

Before you check out the schedule of events below - grab your phone and add this event to your calendar.

Schedule of Events

Exploring Pollinators in the Garden | 11:30am, 1pm & 2pm

Take a walk in the garden and observe bees in action. Led by Denise Ellsworth, the  Program Director of Honey Bee and Native Pollinator Education, OSU Extension.

The Bugman | 11am–3pm

The Bugman, Mark Berman, shares his knowledge and excitement about bugs.

George Barrie Band  | 11:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-2:30pm

George Barrie Band will accompany the event with live music. George Barrie’s upbeat blend of groovy rock n’ roll is inspired by bluesy songwriters across genres and generations.  George built a career as a musician, songwriter, and producer in Columbus, Ohio.

Stinger from the Columbus Blue Jackets | 12-12:30pm

Stinger from the Columbus Blue Jackets will stop by!

Food Demonstration | 11am–2pm

Taste delicious foods made with ingredients that are only possible thanks to pollinators. Led by the Conservatory’s Sustainability Educator, Heather Bell.

Food Trucks | 11am-3pm

NAICCO

Sweet T’s Southern Style

Too Good Eats

Participating Organizations

The Bee Collective

Central Ohio Beekeepers Association

Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks

Columbus GreenSpot

East Central Ohio Beekeepers Association

Franklin County Master Gardeners Volunteers

Greater Columbus Growing Coalition

Kiwanis Club of Columbus

LEAD for Pollinators

Natives in Harmony, LLC

Ohio Herb Center

Ohio History Connection

Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

Are you as excited for Pollinator Palooza as we are!?
 

All I Want for April is Acceptance.

Thank you to my dear friend Terra for writing this piece so we can all learn from her. You can follow her podcast Normal with Autism, on Instagram for more amazing content.

All I want for April is acceptance.

In March of 2014, I sat in a small sterile office at the local children’s hospital with my husband and youngest son. He was 2 1/2 years old at the time, and we were waiting for the conclusions of an autism screening that involved several helping professionals and lasted 4 hours.

We wanted to hear the good news that all the therapies and work we completed over the last 12 months paid off in helping him catch up developmentally.

In March of 2013, my son Finn was diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy. A hazardous form of epilepsy that impacts his learning and development in very negative ways. I stopped working as a mental health therapist and devoted myself to being his full-time caregiver. I spent many hours and days with Finn in therapies and doctor visits, working on everything from speech to matching skills. It was all to help his development move forward as his seizures had significantly impacted his growth.

 We sat waiting for the developmental doctor to give us the results; I held my breath, hoping for good news. Her following statement, Finn has severe autism and needs help right away, was not a surprise, but it was not what I wanted to hear. His actual written report included the statement “Finn is at great risk for mental retardation…” should he not receive interventions. I remember leaving the office confused and grief-struck. I was confused because I could not fully grasp what it meant for my child to have an autism diagnosis. Grief-stricken because of the looks on the physicians’ faces, I knew it wasn’t good.

Today, in 2021, I can tell you I thought his autism diagnosis was a tragedy in 2014. I am a mental health professional, and I did not know a lot about autism. I knew enough to understand it wasn’t something you wanted your 2-year-old to be diagnosed with. I also knew enough to know that the words the doctors used at the time to describe his high support needs scared me into many sleepless nights figuring out how to get him into full-time behavior therapy as quickly as I could. I also felt less alone when people bought puzzle piece cookies or wore blue on April 2nd, world autism awareness day. My friends would tag me in posts saying they were lighting it up blue for Finn. In the end, I do not fault them at all. And I realize now those efforts were about me and not about what my son needed.

Today, I know better. Now, I know that my son being autistic is not a disaster. Autism is not the catastrophe that I pictured. What is distressing is that seven years later, I still fight every day for my son to be accepted as the entire, complete, worthy human being that he is.  Even more problematic is the knowledge that as he gets older and bigger on his way to becoming an adult disabled male, some in my local community will fear him simply because he is autistic. Acceptance will grow rarer as the years pass.

Why, after all these years, puzzle pieces, and lighting it up blue, is it still difficult for autistic people to be accepted? The difference is the passive awareness that many folks still engage in and the active acceptance that is harder to do but worth the work. An author for an Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) post states, “Awareness is all about creating a sense of urgency and fear. Awareness efforts present us as a problem to be solved…Acceptance comes from a place of understanding…Understanding takes work. People first need to acknowledge us as individuals- three-dimensional, growing, developed characters. We are not all the same, and we are not but a collection of deficits.”

My son is not broken, and he is not a collection of deficits or things he can not do. What would life be like for your child if the only focus from the adults in their lives were on what milestones they did not reach? If you ever want to find out, I invite you to join me in the next Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting with my local school district. 

You might be asking me now, “Terra, what can I do instead of light it up blue for April?” Here are some questions to ask yourself and ways to practice acceptance of autistic people every day.

First, ask, “Do I rely on autistic people or their caregivers to educate me about autism?” If the answer is yes, you have some work to do. Start with a book by an actually autistic individual. “The Reason I Jump” is a great one. While writing this, I googled “autistic authors,” and I need to get to my local bookstore soon.  The list I found is extensive.

Second, if you are a leader in a community space (i.e., church), ask yourself, “How would my organization respond if a family and their autistic loved one walked into this space tomorrow to hang out with other members in their community?” For example, if you are a church, would the autistic loved one be welcomed into the worship space just as they to hear the message from the pastor.  If the answer is no, you have some work to do. Many families with autistic loved ones experience conditional acceptance based on ignorance and lack of willingness to make space for that family to show up fully as themselves. Ask how you and your other community leaders how can we support that family in a way that treats them like everyone else.

Finally, ask yourself do autistic folks and organizations that actually support autistic people show up in your social media feed. If the answer is no, you have some work to do. Some of my favorite folks to follow are https://www.instagram.com/the.autisticats/

And a great organization to check out is autisminblack.org

Acceptance is a verb.  Do the work.  Take the action. My son and all the kids and adults like him thank you in advance.

More about Terra: I am a wife, mom, podcaster, writer, therapist, daughter and friend. I work hard to keep all those plates spinning and humor is my coping skill.

My two boys, Q and Finn are my favorite human beings on the planet. Finn was diagnosed with epilepsy and autism before he turned three years old. He is a non-speaking kid that has a lot to say. Q is growing up way to fast and likes to bring it up every day by saying how much taller he is than me. My husband and I have been together since we were 19. Our family motto is “Making it up as we go along”.

I want to know more about your family. Come follow me on Facebook and Instagram and share your joy with me.

Diving Deep Into My Meditation Practice | Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series with Wild Sage Collective

I was first introduced to Erica from Wild Sage a few years ago as I sobbed through a meditation she was leading. I was sitting there holding my Modmala with a full-on ugly cry, gasping for air, and sobbing-induced hiccups.  When the meditation was over, I apologized to her for sobbing through the meditation and thanked her for being exactly what I needed during a very difficult part of my life.  I don’t remember her exact words but I know that she was calm and comforting and I left feeling like I could breathe.  For the first time in weeks, I could breathe. 

It was this moment that popped out to me when I was in need of a personal reset earlier this year.  I knew this was the moment I needed to dive deeper into my meditation practice and have something steady that I could use to feel peace and calm when life seemed so uncertain.

A quick Facebook message to my friend, Erica, and I was signed up for the next Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series 1:1

Meditation

Fine-tuning my mediation practice was the main reason I wanted to sign up for this series.  I needed help working on ways to practice while at home with everyone at home.  Working 1:1 with Erica I was able to troubleshoot all of the things so I could come up with options that work best for me. I knew this was the best option for me because Erica is a rule-breaker and with the life, I live I need to be able to meditate and focus on different elements of a mindful practice in unique ways that don’t follow the typical rules. 

 A few of the ideas we came up with - 

1. Meditate while nursing and snuggling the baby in the mornings while the house is still calm

2. Creating a special space for myself that’s only for me and visit that space when possible or needed 

3. Connect in nature.  Taking a walk alone, focusing on the sounds, my breathing, and the little things I’d miss otherwise.

Journaling

One of the first things Erica suggested was journaling.  This one was hard for me. I’m a perfectionist and journaling is something I struggle with because I feel like when I put pen to paper I need to write something beautiful not to mention I need a new notebook that inspires me.  I couldn’t start journaling until I could get a brand new notebook and feel inspired to write something beautiful.  

When I told Erica about this she laughed, not at me, but with me. She completely understood where I was coming from but gently encouraged me to just do it anyway.  Just write - it can be one word or more. It can be in a brand new notebook or a scrap piece of paper.  Just write down your thoughts. 

Listening to her advice was powerful.  I started writing just like she said and it was so freeing.  Releasing those thoughts onto paper helped me sleep better, allowed me to confront certain feelings head-on, and just helped get me ready for great meditation. 

Chakra & Crystals

I knew very little about chakras and crystals before this 1:1 series with Erica.  Erica broke it down for me in such a way that it was easy to understand and remember.  I still took lots of notes and refer to her website often for refreshers.  

My favorite meditation is currently the one where I call in my different chakras, ask them for any messages, and thank them.  It is truly one of the most powerful things I took away from my journey with Erica.  

I actually shared more about crystals on Instagram - head over there to check it out.  

What is  Intro to Meditation + Mystical Series 1:1? 

In this 1:1 series with Erica, you will walk through a customized 5-week journey learning about how to cultivate & maintain your meditation practice while diving deep into & demystifying ancient wisdom teachings. Learn about chakras, crystals, meditation, your personal birth star mantra, and so much more.  It’s completely customizable to what you want to learn and truly a one-of-a-kind experience.  

I plan to keep going through so stay tuned on social media and the blog to keep learning. If you reach out to Erica - tell her I sent you :) 

7+ Local Kid Stores to Shop Year-Round

Shopping small has always been very important to me.  Every single purchase with a small business makes such a difference in the lives of countless people including the business owner, their staff, families, other local businesses they do business with, and so much more.  It’s no surprise that 2020 has been hard on small businesses everywhere and now as the holiday season approaches it’s even more important than ever that we support our local business community.  

I have found some of the best gifts by shopping for my kids at local Columbus shops.  Unique finds that I would never find in a big box store and my kids LOVE them.  I’m sharing some of my favorite Columbus Kid Stores today on the blog - but please comment and tell me if there is one I missed that you think I should explore.  :-) 

Cub Shrub

Cub Shrub is full of fun modern items that spark inspiration and imagination.  It’s always the first place for gifts and adorable clothing.  This year I bought the holiday tattoos, a handful of books, and this Dr. Fauci ornament.  As time gets a little closer I’m sure I’ll be adding some other fun goodies from Cub Shrub under my tree.  

The Mini Label

Created by a fellow 614 Mom, The Mini Label has the most adorable baby clothes. They are super soft and the colors are perfection. My youngest will have a few sets under the tree this year. 

Coco Beans

Is someone in your life expecting or do you have a sweet little babe yourself? Coco Beans provides better sleep for little ones using the natural magic of silk.  They are currently running a campaign to help get their business started. Share the holiday magic by helping a small business thrive while getting your little one a 100% silk crib sheet (estimated ship date Feb 2021) 

Learning Express

We love exploring Learning Express. They have all of the super fun toys my kids love so much and a few that we’ve never seen before.  It’s a perfect mix of educational toys and those super popular must-have gifts.  

Naturally Curious Kids

Kids learn so much through play and Naturally Curious Kids has some of the best toys that help encourage learning through play and I’m a big fan. Some of the items we’ll have under our tree this year include so many of the art supplies, this mix & bake mixer,  and dimpl toys for the youngest member of our family.

Wonderville Studios

Local author Jason Tharp has amazing books, T-shirts, and other cool things to help inspire kindness and positivity for your young readers. Shirts that say Kind is Cool and even some fun mugs for that coworker you got in the holiday gift exchange.  

Packrat Comics

Packrat Comics  in Hilliard is one of a kind. I’m talking truly special. They have comic books, toys, and graphic novels plus so much more.  If you have a superhero fan on your list this is a must.  

Shopping small is more important than ever! Make that shopping list and then visit these stores to get something great for everyone!

Gift Guide For The Kid Who Has Everything

I often get asked about gift ideas for kids and I’m happy to put together this list full of fun ideas.  While I love to get things specifically off their list these are great, go-to gifts, for stocking stuffers, birthday parties, kids you don’t know all that well, and even for your own kids when you just aren’t sure what to get. I hope you enjoy reading through - and of course please comment below with anything you’d add to the list.  

Mindful Books

We’re big fans of fun books that have a powerful message. I often share these books here because I just love them so much. You can find books on Kindness, Self Love, Bravery, and Confidence right now as well as extra fun books here.

Games

- I love experience gifts and that doesn’t always have to equal tickets to a show. It can mean a family game that will provide countless memories for years to come. Some of our favorites are Monopoly, Candyland, Pie Face, Uno, and Sequence. My kids are also big puzzle fans.

Slime

Slime for the kids and some cleaning supplies for the parents. I have found a few brands that I like that I feel don’t cause a huge mess (but don’t quote me. Everyone’s experience is different) so I’ve linked them for you. To be honest - I used to hate slime but as long as we keep it at one location I really love it because my kids love it so much.

My Bookworm Box

This is a great gift option for the young readers in your life. This box sends young readers new books each month based on their age. Once you get the package in the mail you read what you want and enjoy and then you can either send the books back or decide to purchase them. It was created by a local Columbus mama and really incredible.

MRLY

This kids clothing line is another local business that I LOVE. The clothes are adorable and can be worn every single day. High quality, comfortable, and fun! They can also customize any of it. I had this purple dress made for my sweet girl and she wears it as much as I let her. She thinks it’s so special.

Art Supplies

You can never go wrong with art supplies. Puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, markers, just a stroll through the art supply aisle and you’ll find plenty to add to your cart. Art kits are such a win. It provides everything they need to create their next masterpiece.

Lite-Brite

This was a favorite of mine as a kid and I love that it’s back in stores.

Walkie-Talkies

This is something that isn’t thought of often but is such a fun toy for kids. We bought a green/blue set off of Amazon and they have lasted for years. They have turned into the gift we take to birthday parties when we’re not sure what else to get. I highly recommend them.

Memberships To Fun Places

I’m a big believer in experiences over things so be sure to check out my list of Favorite Memberships in Columbus if you want to go this route.

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d Helps Us Stay Safe While Dining

Thank you Restaurant Clean Maitre’d for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post is meant to inform and answer popular questions. Please consult your medical provider for any specific questions.

Life has changed a lot over the last few months.  We’ve all had to adjust and change our normal way of life for something that changes sometimes by the day.  I don’t know about you but sometimes all of the information thrown at us can be overwhelming.  This is why I was so excited to partner with Maureen (a longtime 614 Mom) to answer a lot of frequently asked questions about staying safe through COVID-19. 

The questions I asked her are questions that I got directly from 614 Mom readers. I did a few day’s worth of polls and put together the most frequently asked questions for this blog post. If you have more questions leave them in the comments and I’ll be sure to ask Maureen.  You can also connect with her directly on Instagram.

Meet Maureen

Maureen Jacobs Has over 14 years of industry experience. Her start in the Packaging Industry helped her understand Food Processors and the importance of HACCP Certification. Her Facilities Supply experience helped end-users from Airports to Universities develop custom products that best fit their programs.

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is the result of what she learned and the guidance she provided.

10 Important Questions on Staying Safe During COVID-19 with Restaurant Clean Maitre’d

Question: What should a restaurant be doing to protect customers and staff?

Answer: 1st - Document and survey each employee with several questions. Before they enter the restaurant ask each employee if they are feeling any COVID symptoms.

2nd - Ask the same employee have they been associated or been at a place where there has been an outbreak or around an individual who experienced symptoms. 

3rd - Temperature checks daily and document. 

4th - Throughout the day have employees continuously wash hands and wear a mask covering both their nose and mouth

5th - Do your best with group scheduling the same employees best you can 

6th - Have employees clean and sanitize each table after every use with proper EPA registered sanitizers. Seventh, ensure proper spacing between each diner
Lastly, provide proper hand soap and paper towels for staff and guests 

Question: Are patios really safer? 

Answer: The distance between each person is what’s important whether inside or out. If they sneeze or cough these particles can travel. There is no difference.

Question: What are some common mistakes you’re seeing businesses make while trying to do the right thing?

Purchasing non-compliant hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Not focusing on cleaning first...remember every living thing needs food, water and has waste. Cleaning is paramount to reduce any pathogen. 

Question: 614 Mom readers have expressed concern about proper sanitation between customers.  What should they look for or ask for when they sit down if they want to go out to eat in a restaurant?

Answer: Have they properly sanitized with a “food grade EPA registered sanitizer”? Disinfectants are not approved for dining surfaces as this is higher level chemistry and not safe for food. This is where food sanitizers come into play. As your server “Has this entire area been sanitized?”

Question: Are there any restaurants that you feel are really doing an excellent job at keeping their restaurants properly cleaned and cared for?

Answer: Overall, I’ve seen a higher level of importance with food sanitation, cleanliness, and employee training. Restaurant Clean Maitre’d not only provides cleaning service we also request a 30-minute food safety training and seminar with the staff and provide a certificate of recognition. 

This ensures that at least everyone has some safe direction.

Question: I think one of the common themes here is that people are doing what they feel is safer to limit risk. In your expert opinion, what is actually the safest way to dine in a restaurant?

Ensure all employees are wearing masks. Ensure the table is properly sanitized before you are seated. Minimize visits to restrooms. Ensure that the diner closest to you is further than 6’

Question: When polled hundreds of moms said they just really miss taking their kids out somewhere fun.  How can we take our families out safely? What should we bring with us, ask for from businesses, and just overall limit risk?

I would minimize activities that involve group settings. The majority of the carriers of this virus are the younger population. The concern more is for the middle to upper age population. You cannot ensure others wash hands or force others to wear a mask but if we all do our part with just these two guidelines it would reduce the transmission of this virus tremendously. 

Clean wipes are something I would take with me (keep in mind you cannot bring in your own cleaner and disinfectant as they may not be compliant for food establishments)

Question: I know we’re not here to talk about schools but, outside of restaurants, that was one of the biggest topics during the recent poll of 614 Moms. Do you have any thoughts on how to safely reopen schools? Or what parents/teachers can do to help minimize the risk?  

The school systems need to educate their faculty and staff. The majority of their decisions are based on budgets and feasibility. School systems need to recognize that they are providing a safe place and an education first. Regardless of what’s necessary to be done, they need to think of the students first. All you can do is educate your child or student to do the right thing and wash their hands, cover their mouths, limit-sharing and inform teacher or faculty that they are feeling ill immediately 

Question from a teacher: How can I keep my classroom clean and safe during this? 
Instruct each student to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Request that they wash their hands as often as possible. Wipe clean desks and all touch surfaces after each session/class activity.

Question: What else would you like everyone to know about Restaurant Clean Maitre’d?  

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a company owned by hands-on HACCP Certified, Servsafe Certified individuals that use products with certification from Green Building Council, EPA Registered Products, and utilizes customized procedures cards for each and every restaurant we work with. We also provide in-service training with how to clean, properly sanitize, and disinfectant for each customer at no cost. Please look or ask for us where you dine

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a contract cleaning service that focuses primarily on restaurants, bars, and clubs. Our mission is to provide peace of mind to your customers in restaurants as they dine and to your staff as they work. Using EPA-approved products, we provide a clean environment for guests and a healthy workplace for employees.

Our original idea was to target and clean restrooms, but we realized that a sense of comfort comes from knowing the entire restaurant has been cleaned properly. During the recent COVID-19 breakout, we’ve made sure to use products that are EPA-registered SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 disinfectants in order to keep employees and customers safe.

As the restaurant diners ourselves, we understand the importance cleanliness that has on an experience at a restaurant. It really can make or break the experience and determine if we dine there again. For us, cleanliness is the top priority to improve customer satisfaction. We even give our Clean Seal of Approval to restaurants we’ve cleaned because we know it’s been done right. Look for it.

Kids Helping Kids! Our Virtual LemonAiD Stand with The Salvation Army

Last year my son and I hosted our first LemonAID stand at Easton Town Center.  It was a beautiful day, full of sunshine and cold refreshing lemonade.  This year our LemonAID stand, in support of the Salvation Army, will be virtual so we can all stay safe and keep our neighbors safe as well. 

I know that we are not the only family who are trying to find ways to stay safe and give back to our community this summer so I thought I would share more about how you can get involved with your own LemonAiD stand.  

The Salvation Army launched the LemonAiD program in 2016 to give kids the opportunity to give back to other kids. While typically kids would host a lemonade stand or two and donate the money to The Salvation Army, this year it’s all virtual due to COVID-19 to respect social distancing.  100% of the funds donated to the LemonAID stand go directly to provide food and programs that help lift children out of poverty and homelessness.  

The Salvation Army served 24,702 children last year. 35% of all persons served at the food pantry were children, and last year they helped secure permanent housing for 1,947 individuals, 1,168 of those individuals were children.  

Every single dollar we raise through the LemonAiD stand helps children and families in our community and that’s something we can definitely support.  

Important Details 

• The LemonAiD Program runs May 29-July 18 and it’s NOT too late to sign up. 

• You can sign up easily on their website and start sending your personalized web page to friends and family.  

• Promote your stand by getting creative - send fun emails, post videos on social media, put up a sign or two in your neighborhood, draw an announcement in chalk on your driveway and make sure to include personalized thank you notes in your marketing strategy :) 

• Share your photos and videos with The Salvation Army on their Facebook page to be entered to win weekly prizes. 

Did You Know?*

1 in 4 children in Central Ohio live in poverty; 1 in 5 children in Ohio.

1 in 5 children in our community goes to bed hungry. 

1 in 30 children in Ohio experience homelessness. 

*Statistics provided by The Salvation Army Columbus. 

Neck Pain, The Power of Social Media, and Physical Therapy!

Earlier this year I posted a photo on Facebook sharing details on some weird neck pain I was experiencing.  I tend to hold all of my stress in my neck and shoulders which leads to moments of excruciating pain and feeling uncomfortable doing the most basic things. Luckily, I had a lot of amazing people reach out in the comments, messages, and emails with tips and suggestions on how to relieve the pain.  One of those people happened to be the owner of Athletity Physical Therapy, Shari. 

Shari reached out to offer some tips and also welcomed me into her Dublin office well before my family doctor could get me in so that I could start feeling better much faster.  As a busy mom of three, business owner, and juggler of so many things it was important to put the pain behind me so I could move on with my life.  

After two visits with Shari, I was feeling better and able to get back to normal life. I had an actual diagnosis other than neck pain and she helped me realize how I can stay on top of my health so it never has to get so bad again.  Major Win!

We’re all very busy so instead of lots of words and stories I’m going to make it very easy by listing the most important things you need to know about being a patient with Athletity. 

The Office is KID FRIENDLY

• The office is very kid-friendly.   I work from home which means I’m also the primary caregiver for my children, and my youngest daughter isn’t in school yet so she tags along with me to a lot of my appointments and errands.  Shari was very welcoming to both of us which made it so much easier for me to relax and get the most of my time with Shari.  Not only was my daughter welcome but she was encouraged to explore and play with safe items around the office.  

  Shari Understands Mom Life!

• Shari is a busy mom so she gets exactly what we’re all going through and she makes it easy for us to feel stronger and be our best selves.  

  Dr. Shari is Full of Information

• I work best when I know the why behind it.  I need to know why things are the way they are to help me process the outcome.  It’s just who I am.  Shari was always forthcoming with so much information that made it easy for me to digest it all and know exactly what I need to do when the pain sneaks up on me. 

  Amazing FREE Content

• Athletity has a great YouTube channel that’s perfect to view before your first session, in between sessions, or just to learn more about different scenarios. 

  Telehealth Visits

• If you’re not local or you just can’t make it into the office - Dr. Shari has been offering telehealth services since 2017. She can help make sure your health is a top priority so you can be the strong human we all know you are.  

  Her Specialties Include:

• She specializes in helping moms with pregnancy aches, postpartum hurdles pelvic floor and core, aches from life: back pain, neck tension, and tightness, upper backaches, knee pain, hip pain, aches from running, plus so much more!!
  
  

Overall, I loved my experience with Dr. Shari and with her help, I’ve been able to stay on top of my neck pain and keep it completely at bay over the last few months by having some go-to techniques to pull out when I need them. 

You can find Dr. Shari on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.  

Schedule with Dr. Shari 

Hosting The Perfect Birthday Party Sleepover | Everything You Need To Know

We LOVE birthdays over here. I love to create magical memories for every member of the family. It’s so important to me that they each get to be celebrated in ways that make them feel so incredibly special.  Earlier this month my oldest daughter celebrated her birthday in the most magical way possible - a unicorn-themed sleepover with her closest friends. All thanks to a locally mom-owned business - Perfect Events.  

I initially reached out because my daughter wanted to have a sleepover with tents and invite her closest friends.  I found a company on Instagram and thought we would give it a try. As much as I want to create magical memories for my kids I also need something easy for me.  I’m sure you can all relate that as moms we already do so much for our families and birthday parties have the potential to add a lot of stress.  

Perfect Events gave me everything I needed to provide a lovely party for my daughter that didn’t require a lot of planning on my part. I sent out a quick evite to her friends, bought the snacks and they took care of the rest.  

My daughter picked out the magical unicorn party and it was in fact so magical. They delivered and set up while my daughter was at school and it took around an hour and a half.  When she got home she first saw the karaoke set up in our living room and was really confused because I didn’t tell her we were getting that too. When she went upstairs her face lit up - it was here and she was so excited!! She absolutely loved it. 

The room was beautiful. Every single detail was well thought out and intentional.  The pillows all said something sweet and inspirational, the birthday girls tent was decked out a little extra, and each girl was so happy to sleep soundly in their tent.  Perfect Events took care of everything, with excellent customer service and a passion for what they do that clearly showed.  

5 Important Things To Know

1. Rent the karaoke machine! It’s so worth it. They will have so much fun.  There are SO MANY karaoke YouTube videos to make it even easier on you. Everything from Lizzo to Frozen can be found with a quick YouTube search.  We found a lot of the songs they love on Sing King’s YouTube channel. 

2. Prepare for about 1-2 hours of set up and an hour for pick up.  Just let them handle it. They are the experts. It felt so weird for me to essentially do nothing (read: do the dishes, work, switch laundry) while they were here but it’s really best to let them work their magic. 

3. Let your kiddo pick out the theme that makes their heart smile. There are so many great ones from unicorns, LOL dolls, tropical paradise, mermaids, game on, and SO MANY MORE. I’m sure my kids would love any of them but letting her pick her theme meant that she got the sleepover of her dreams and that’s what really matters. 

4. Pick a space in your home that can be free of pets and food. Our home is not big, so we had to get creative. Our basement isn’t set up for something like this so we took out all of the furniture of one bedroom to make it work. 

5. Take LOTS of photos. I bought my daughter a polaroid and she took so many photos herself with her friends. They are photos that she will cherish for many many years.  

I don’t know if you’ve ever hosted a sleepover with 6 nine-year-olds let me just tell you it’s L O U D and
C R A Z Y! We went through so many snacks and I have no idea when they finally fell asleep but I can tell you everyone left happy and my daughter was over the moon happy.  I would book with Perfect Events again and again...The next time you are looking to book a party, definitely reach out to them. They will take care of everything! 

The Karaoke Setup

Here we have the microphone, an entire bucket of props and a fun backdrop. This was the hit of the entire party!