On January 12, 2022, we were treated to a discussion with EJ Thomas, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio via Zoom meeting.

Mr. Thomas informed us of the many ways in which Habitat for Humanity helps families acquire their first homes, and he answered several questions from our chapter members regarding the operation and the people who benefit from the group's work.

EJ Thomas is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 1984 to 1999. He concluded his tenure as State Representative for the 27th District in north Columbus, having been elected a total of eight terms.

During our November 8, 2021 Zoom meeting,our speaker, Nema Saleem-Green led a presentation called "Mindset Reset." She guided us in finding activities that we enjoy doing, and that assist us in truly taking care of ourselves.

Her presentation included many practical tips for self-care. She encouraged the chapter memebrs to participate by offering their own tips for self-care, and the activities that they find rewarding, as well as goals they have for self-care.

We are pleased and excited to welcome a new member to our Gamma Chapter!

Emeri Ferguson, a graduate of Ashland University, is a first grade learning guide and reading support specialist at Wellington School in Upper Arlington.

Emeri became aware of our Grants-in-Aid program and attended a Zoom meeting earlier this year. We are delighted that she chose to join Gamma Chapter!

When Emeri is not teaching, she is very busy at home with her husband and three young sons.

Welcome to Gamma Chapter, Emeri Ferguson!

Remember last winter when we met at JoAnn Fabrics and made blankets for My Very Own Blanket? (See photos from the February, 2020 meeting here)

We will be making blankets again this year, but due to Covid-19 recommendation and guidelines, we'll each make our blanket(s) at home and then share them during our Saturday, February 6, 2021 ZOOM meeting, which will begin at 9:30 am.

You can purchase your fleece fabric at any JoAnn location (find a store near you here) and then make your blanket(s) using these directions:

Read and print the directions for making My Very Own Blanket fleece blanket.

If you prefer not to go into the store, you can purchase a blanket kit online and pick it up at the Westerville store, from their outside donation bin. (Shipping is available ONLY to locations 30+ miles from the Westerville store.)

Order a blanket kit online.

Visit the My Very Own Blanket website here to read about how these soft fleece blankets enrich the lives of foster childrenby giving them a feeling of comfort and security.

On Thursday, September 25, 2020, Gamma members gathered online in a Zoom meeting, allowing us to be "together" while safely staying apart.

Pat Farrenkopf gave a presentation, and here are her words to the chapter members:

"My name is Patricia Farrenkopf and I love my job. Even after 47 years of serving in education as a teacher and administrator, I wake up in the morning looking forward to the day - even in a Pandemic.

After over 30 years of adjunct status with Ashland University, I became a professional instructor for the College of Education, Department of Doctoral Studies and Advanced Programs. Ashland University has eight satellite locations in Ohio and Michigan. Main campus is in Ashland, Ohio.

I have an office at main campus at the Dwight Schar College of Education and also at the Columbus satellite campus. With the Pandemic, I have been teaching online courses in Educational Leadership, Gifted Curriculum and Program Development, and serving on dissertation committees.

I am currently conducting follow up research on my dissertation topic of Gifted Identity Development. I have found all 24 of the fifth grade students who were in my original study who are now seniors in high school and freshmen in college.

I have served co director of the Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted. My Ashland University colleague and I wrote a High Impact grant to move this summer experience to Ashland University from Otterbein University.

Finally, I am the owner of ProGift-ify TM. I have written books and educational tools to support parents and teachers as they support their gifted learners.

As C.S. Lewis once said, 'You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.'"

View Pat's original Powerpoint presentation, if your computer has Powerpoint installed.

View Pat's presentation as a PDF.

On Saturday, February 8, Gamma Chapter members gathered at JoAnn Fabrics at Polaris to participate in a project to help MyVeryOwnBlanket.org, a non-profit organization who provides handmade blankets for children who are in the foster care system.

My Very Own Blanket was started in 1999 by Jessica Rudolph, and has been dedicated to warming the heart of every child in the foster care system with a blanket that gives them a feeling of comfort, security, and most of all, a SMILE for 20 years.

Gamma Chapter members each worked on cutting "fringe" along opposite edges of a piece of colorful fleece and then tying each strip of fabric in a single knot to create a pretty edge that will be durable. We discovered that working together allowed us to produce more blankets than we thought possible. At the end of our meeting, we had created more than 20 new blankets to donate to foster children.

A special part of the blanket is a label that is sewn on one side. It allows the person who created the blanket to write his or her own name and also write a short message of hope or comfort for the child who receives the gift. As we all know from our own childhood experiences, a soft, warm blanket can be much more than just a piece of fabric to keep us from being cold; it is also a source of comfort, security, and in some cases, love.

In 2019, My Very Own Blanket set and met the goal of providing 20,000 blankets to children who need them! Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to achieve such a lofty objective! Their goal for 2020 is to produce and donate 25,000 blankets.

Visit MyVeryOwnBlanket.org to learn more.

Gamma Chapter welcomed representatives from Royal Family Kids Camp on Saturday, November 16 at the MCL Cafeteria in Upper Arlington. Pictured above are Krista May, Jessica Dale, and Jessica Slone.

Royal Family Kids Camp was founded in 2002 and creates life-changing moments for children in Franklin County by reversing the effects of child abuse and neglect.

Serving children from ages 7-11 years, the camp offers swimming, sports and games, woodworking, hiking, a birthday party for all campers, and more.

RFK of Franklin County is a key partner with Franklin County Children Services.

Visit the Royal Family Kids Camp website here.

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, Gamma Chapter members visited the Leap of Faith Dance Company to learn about their work and enjoy a performance by three of the dancers.

Leap of Faith Dance Company was established by Dave and Kelley Haney in 2003. Their vision was to establish a family ministry to deliver on their Mission Statement: “Our goal is to use the talents we have been blessed with to help children have fun, learn to dance, and understand valuable life lessons through scripture and Christian music….”

Leap of Faith offers instruction in contemporary, ballet/pointe, tap/stomp, jazz, hip hop and breaking for all levels from beginner through master.

Below are photos submitted to us by Leap of Faith, documenting our morning with them. We thank Taiylor Preston for the photographs.

On February 2, 2019, our new initiate, Diane Hendrickson, brought her guest, Tammy Jewell, to discuss God's Hygiene Help Center, which is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing hygiene, dignity, and hope to those in need with the compassion of Jesus. Tammy's compelling life story inspired and educated our chapter members, and gave us an insight into the needs of many individuals in our area who are in need of the most basic of personal supplies.

Through Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and Diane's help, Tammy established God's Hygiene as a nonprofit organization. She collects and distributes all kinds of personal care products to those who simply cannot afford to buy them.

God's Hygiene is located at 3016 Howey Road, Columbus OH 43224, and Tammy helps people by appointment. God’s Hygiene Help Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax deductible.

Have you taken a class or workshop lately and want to apply for scholarship reimbursement?

You can download and print the guidelines and application form from our website right here and submit it to Judy Valentine.

View and Print the Cover Letter / Application here.

PLEASE NOTE: Forms are also listed on the Links / Forms page.

Joan Roettger has prepared an Expenses and Reimbursement Form.

View and Print the Expenses and Reimbursement Form here.

PLEASE NOTE: Forms are also listed on the Links / Forms page.

Now you can read the Delta Kappa Gamma "The Voice of Alpha Delta State" online.

Read current and past issues of "The Voice."