About the Author
Amanda Stallings, Senior Policy Manager
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Every once and awhile, I get to be part of something that makes me feel truly grateful—grateful to live in Ohio, grateful to be a true part of a community, and grateful to work for a company that honors and uplifts the communities it serves. In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the big and small things that can make a difference. But sometimes, a moment comes along that grounds you, that makes you pause and think, “How lucky am I to have an opportunity to make an impact like this?” Partnering with A New Leaf to help kids in foster care enjoy a day of simply being kids was one of those moments.
Back-to-School Bash: Supporting Foster Families in Ohio
On August 17, I had the opportunity to represent National Grid Renewables at A New Leaf’s annual Back-to-School Bash in Circleville, Ohio. My aunt, who is a foster parent with A New Leaf, joined me for the event, along with my mother, making it a memorable day of family support for an organization close to our hearts.
A New Leaf is a nonprofit serving several counties in Southeast Ohio, including Fairfield, Pickaway, and Ross. With strong community support, they provide foster families with resources and create safe, nurturing environments for children in need. The Back-to-School Bash helps children start the school year with positivity and the school supplies essentials they need to succeed.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase our company’s support, yes, but it’s also a chance to show that we are a family in this community, too, and committed to uplifting it.”
Backing the Bash: Our Role in the Event
The Back-to-School Bash event welcomed many local foster children and their families to help prepare for a brand-new school year–a daunting prospect for kids of all kinds, let alone those in the foster system. Held in the backyard of A New Leaf’s facility, the first thing we saw when we arrived was a huge inflatable slide, which the kids flocked to, and a few adults (my mom included) were tempted to try as well.
Alongside the festivities, A New Leaf shared resources for foster families, including information on support available throughout the school year. Trivia games highlighted A New Leaf’s role in the community and allowed families to connect with available resources. It was clear that the day was about much more than just fun; it provided meaningful support for both the children and the parents.
At the event, National Grid Renewables sponsored the slide, the pizza lunch, a Kona Ice truck, and school supplies for each child. We provided lunch bags and items like notebooks and fidget spinners, creating back-to-school kits that were both fun and practical. It was rewarding to see the kids enjoying the day and, to put it simply, being just kids—knowing we could offer them a chance to feel celebrated and prepared for the school year made our contribution more than worthwhile.
“I’ve lived here all my life. I always tell people that National Grid Renewables talks the talk and walks the walk–this is just a perfect example of us being able to come together and live that out in the community.”
Continuing Our Community Mission
Our involvement with New Leaf’s Back-to-School Bash was a reminder of the importance of being present, engaged, and supportive in the communities we’re part of. For us, this is just one day to look back on the calendar and feel like we did something that mattered—and there’s many more to come. We look forward to finding more ways to support A New Leaf and similar organizations, making a lasting difference for kids, families, and communities across Ohio.
