And we're done!
July 12th, 2021
First I want to thank everyone who helped me with this project. It was a huge task, and it grew bigger then I ever thought it would. I am so grateful for everyone including my Scoutmaster of Troop #192 Kurt Gutwein, Father Peyton at St. Francis De Sales, my parents Ken & Crystal Nowak, my siblings Cheyenne & Blake, my Grandfather Virgil Huffman, Amy Filippi, some of my teammates from Normandy Football Team and my coach Ian Kost and Kyle Hertzel who helped me move a TON of boxes multiple times. I am also grateful for scouting friends Fred Sullin, Pat Bunch, Jason Hartson, Andrew Gutwein, Josh Bailey, Charles & Frank Costanzo, Josh Bailey, Tyler Davis, Andrew Sakagak, Nathan Hartson, Members of the Holy Name Society of St. Francis De Sales, Dick Juby, Patty & Jim Kusinski, Kim & Bill Cummings & Girls for renting the truck for us and all the generous donations from people from all over the United States in both physical and cash donations and everyone who helped me throughout this journey.
Yesterday everything was finished and delivered to Ashley Berdine & Pat Ameling with Caring for Kids in Cuyahoga Falls. They will then distribute those totes to various agencies all over Ohio, and 115 teens will have the items they need when they start out on that journey on their own. It was a big project, and though there were a few hiccups, in the end, everything worked out! I raised over $17,000 and the totes were valued at $150 each.
There is always a need for helping foster/adoptive kids. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please check out www.cfkadopt.org.
Below are a bunch of pictures from the day, sorry they are not in order!
First I want to thank everyone who helped me with this project. It was a huge task, and it grew bigger then I ever thought it would. I am so grateful for everyone including my Scoutmaster of Troop #192 Kurt Gutwein, Father Peyton at St. Francis De Sales, my parents Ken & Crystal Nowak, my siblings Cheyenne & Blake, my Grandfather Virgil Huffman, Amy Filippi, some of my teammates from Normandy Football Team and my coach Ian Kost and Kyle Hertzel who helped me move a TON of boxes multiple times. I am also grateful for scouting friends Fred Sullin, Pat Bunch, Jason Hartson, Andrew Gutwein, Josh Bailey, Charles & Frank Costanzo, Josh Bailey, Tyler Davis, Andrew Sakagak, Nathan Hartson, Members of the Holy Name Society of St. Francis De Sales, Dick Juby, Patty & Jim Kusinski, Kim & Bill Cummings & Girls for renting the truck for us and all the generous donations from people from all over the United States in both physical and cash donations and everyone who helped me throughout this journey.
Yesterday everything was finished and delivered to Ashley Berdine & Pat Ameling with Caring for Kids in Cuyahoga Falls. They will then distribute those totes to various agencies all over Ohio, and 115 teens will have the items they need when they start out on that journey on their own. It was a big project, and though there were a few hiccups, in the end, everything worked out! I raised over $17,000 and the totes were valued at $150 each.
There is always a need for helping foster/adoptive kids. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please check out www.cfkadopt.org.
Below are a bunch of pictures from the day, sorry they are not in order!
So Many Totes!
June 16, 2021
I have surpassed my original goal of 50 Fresh Start Kits and next goal is now 100! I'm so close. This here is 100 totes that just got delivered. I'm excited to start assembling everything on July 11th with my team! Thank you to everyone who has helped me with my project so far! We have also updated the website to include items that have been fulfilled so far - we are starting ot purchase items we know take longer to arrive. We are still accepting donations through June 30th for physical donations. Cash Donations can be accepted through July 4th.
I have surpassed my original goal of 50 Fresh Start Kits and next goal is now 100! I'm so close. This here is 100 totes that just got delivered. I'm excited to start assembling everything on July 11th with my team! Thank you to everyone who has helped me with my project so far! We have also updated the website to include items that have been fulfilled so far - we are starting ot purchase items we know take longer to arrive. We are still accepting donations through June 30th for physical donations. Cash Donations can be accepted through July 4th.
Thankful for help from friends!
June 6, 2021
Today was the day to get all the boxes I've been collecting out of my house and over to the church, St. Francis De Sales. Thankful to Father Peyton who is allowing us use of one of the rooms to store until we can assemble everything and thankful to a couple guys from my football team and coach who helped with moving everything, sorting and checking our counts. I have updated everything on our site with the new current totals of items I'm still in need of to make as many boxes as possible! I will continue to collect donations through the end of the month - with hopes to assemble in July.
Today was the day to get all the boxes I've been collecting out of my house and over to the church, St. Francis De Sales. Thankful to Father Peyton who is allowing us use of one of the rooms to store until we can assemble everything and thankful to a couple guys from my football team and coach who helped with moving everything, sorting and checking our counts. I have updated everything on our site with the new current totals of items I'm still in need of to make as many boxes as possible! I will continue to collect donations through the end of the month - with hopes to assemble in July.
Received tons of deliveries and drop offs today!
May 29th, 2021
I received several check donations today with really nice letters, thank you so much! I also had a couple people drop off things and received a bunch of box deliveries, so many teens are going to get boxes - thank you!
I received several check donations today with really nice letters, thank you so much! I also had a couple people drop off things and received a bunch of box deliveries, so many teens are going to get boxes - thank you!
More Boxes!
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May 28, 2021
More boxes arrived today - it was raining so they got a little wet but no damage. I received a lot of cups, plates & bowls and a lot of towels, hand towels and wash cloths! Thank you so much for supporting my project! |
First Big Delivery Arrived!
May 27, 2021
I have to make sure that I have enough for every kit, so I go through each box and we update the website to reflect the changes in quantity we need. It's been a big task but it's also kind of like Christmas because you don't know what in each box. I have received orders from people all over the United States and thats pretty cool. |
First Big Delivery Arrived!
Forks!
I was on Channel 5 News!
May 24, 2021
I woke up Tuesday morning to a couple messages and emails saying that my story was posted on News Channel 5. I was excited! Unfortuntately I didn't get to see it on the actual news but they did post it on their website which is on the link above. Check it out here! |
What's in the tote? Here's a sample...
May 23, 2021
I went to walmart today to put together a sample kit. I wanted to find things that everyone would need when they first move out on their own and maybe don't have. This is what I came up with to start with. I started with simple household supplies, and things that could get them started. Others have mentioned additional items I should add and I updated the website with those. I would love to put everything in the tote that I can! |