Opportunities for Kindness
Snacks Needed for Middle School Pantry
We are looking for a variety of individually wrapped snacks to keep in our MS pantry. Students who are hungry during the day can get a snack from school counselors, nurses, social workers, etc.
Recently Filled Needs
Furniture needed for a family
We have a family in need of a kitchen table and chairs and a queen size mattress for mom, dad and toddler to share.
Personal Care Items restock
Need leggings, dental care and snacks
Family in need of Gas card
We have a family that is struggling right now and could use a gift card for gas for their vehicle to help ease the cost of transportation.
Dinette table and 4 chairs
Family in need of a small kitchen table with 4 chairs.
Vision Exam and New Glasses
We have two elementary students who are in desperate need of eye examinations and new glasses. If there are any local eye doctors who would be willing to fulfil this request, please let us know. Thank you!!
Mattresses needed
We have an Olentany family in need of two twin mattresses and one queen mattress. This family of 3 was recently unhoused and they just moved into in an unfurnished apartment. They currently do not have any mattresses! Gently used is fine.
Edit: We only need one twin mattress now.
About Olentangy
Betsy Thorne - Area Director
Betsy has been an Olentangy resident for over 11 years. She was born and raised in Westerville then attended Ohio University where she met her wife, Nikki. Nikki and Betsy have 2 children in the Olentangy district. Both children are active in sports in the district, participating in soccer, football, basketball and gymnastics. Nikki works for a software company out of Phoenix as well as coaches soccer for Columbus United. Betsy worked at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants corporate office for several years before becoming a stay at home Mom when their first child was born, and now works part time for Stratosphere Consulting. Betsy has enjoyed giving back through volunteering in her children’s schools, working with pet rescues and helping with various fundraisers throughout Columbus. Betsy is so excited to promote kindness throughout the Olentangy district with neighborhood bridges.
Heather Gavlak - Area Director
My name is Heather Gavlak and I live in Delaware, OH with my husband, Bobby, and our 3 kids, Grace (8th), Mitch (4th) and Andy (1st) all in Olentangy Schools. I am an Enterprise Architecture Manager for PNC Bank by day and an advocate for Gift of Adoption and Neighborhood Bridges. I feel very strongly about ensuring that children have what they need to be successful and know that they are well loved. In my free time I love to read and watch every sport my children play - which is literally every sport imaginable. As a family, we have a passion for doughnuts and travel around the globe trying all the doughnut places we can find and posting photos of the adventure (@Doughnutters). Unsolicited recommendations for amazing doughnut places are strongly encouraged :)