Ultimate winner would be Warm Welcomes Foster Care Outreach
LECC staff members cook up a contest to support Warm Welcomes Foster Care Outreach – a nonprofit providing welcome bags to children entering foster care
Loveland, Ohio – Crock pots stood at attention along a couple of tables in the Loveland Early Childcare Center (LECC) staff break room Wednesday, Feb. 25; it was the Third Annual LECC Chili Contest and this year the competition was stiff. A dozen employees participated in the contest and some 50 people were on hand to support the chefs – in part because they all knew the ultimate winner would be Warm Welcomes Foster Care Outreach, a nonprofit established to create welcome bags for children entering foster care.
“This nonprofit was started by Krista Lorenz, an occupational therapist with Warren County Educational Service Center who provided services to LECC students last school year,” said LECC Principal Kyle Bush. “Every year for the past several years, LECC has had a staff chili cook-off fundraiser, and the proceeds have always been donated to a worthy cause. This year, we wanted to help support Krista’s mission.”
Each welcome bag Warm Welcomes Foster Care Outreach distributes typically contains a new blanket, new stuffed animal/snuggle pillow, new book, toiletries, a puzzle, creative items like journals, colored pencils and coloring books. The LECC staff raised more than $200 to donate.
“This is just one more avenue that allows us to give back,” said Bush. “I’m so proud to work with a staff that is dedicated to service. This is a special place.”
