Foster Care Events in New Hampshire These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: Apr 11, 2006 Time: 8:30 AM Event: Appreciation Breakfast Foster and adoptive parents will join workers from the Rochester District Office for breakfast and words of thanks. Location: Rochester District Office Contact: Karen Magowan, 603-332-9120 x141, kmagowan@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Apr 23, 2006 Time: 2 - 6 PM Event: Foster Family Mud Season Fun Day A fun day of activities for the entire family. Cheryl the Clown will make balloon animals for the young children and lead them in games and songs. Older youth will have outdoor activities, weather permitting, and craft activities indoors. Foster parents will have time for self-care - Reiki, massage, skin care, Tarot readings. Lots of good food and ice cream will end the day. Location: VFW Hall Charlestown Contact: Mike Sanborn or Cindy Jarvis, 603-542-9544 x363, gmsanborn@verizon.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 1 - 31, 2006 Event: Blue Ribbon Campaign Wear a blue ribbon to show your support of foster and adoption parents Location: Statewide Contact: Gail DeGoosh, 603-271-4711, gdegoosh@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 5, 2006 Event: Appreciation Dinner Foster parent dinner with a golfing theme. Location: Concord Contact: Mel Pepin, 603-224-8909, mpepin@caseyfamilyservices.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 6, 2006 Time: 3 - 6 PM Event: Appreciation Dinner Dinner in honor of foster parents. Location: Invitational Contact: Kathy Talbot, 603-893-9763 x306, ktalbot@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 15, 2006 Time: 8:30 - 10 AM Event: Appreciation Breakfast A breakfast sponsored by staff to give thanks to their local foster parents. Location: District Office Manchester Contact: Jennifer Richard, 603-668-2330, jrichard@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 18, 2006 Time: 4:30 - 7:30 PM Event: Appreciation Barbeque An appreciation event for foster parents from the Berlin and Littleton areas to be held at the Congregational Church. Location: Lancaster Contact: Linda Pivin and Jennifer Holmes, (603)752-7800 x329, lpivin@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 19, 2006 Time: NOON - 2 PM Event: Pot Luck Appreciation Lunch Staff at the local office have invited foster parents to lunch to show their appreciation of their efforts. Also, a time to meet one another. Location: Keene District Office Keene Contact: Jessica Bond, 603-357-3510, jbond@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 19, 2006 Time: 5:30 PM Event: Appreciation Event A time to celebrate for foster parents. Location: Elm Street Park Laconia Contact: Laura Kinson, 603-524-4485, lkinson@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 21, 2006 Event: Ice Cream Social Appreciation event for foster families. Location: Kids Cove Merrimack Contact: Christine Kaltsis, 603-883-7726, ckaltsis@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Jun 3, 2006 Time: 4 - 6 PM Event: Cosmic Bowl Foster families licensed by Spaulding Youth Center, Lutheran Social Services, LifeShare, Child & Family Services, Easter Seals, and Casey Family Services, as well as the state offices of Rochester and Portsmouth regions, will gather for a fun family time of bowling. Location: Striker's East Bowling Lanes Raymond Contact: Deborah Vallee, 603-433-8360, dvallee@dhhs.state.nh.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Jun 9, 2006 Time: evening Event: Collaborative Event This is a collaborative event among LifeShare Inc., the Division for Children, Youth, and Families in Manchester, NH and Easter Seals. This event is designed to allow foster parents and agencies to network as well as for the children to have a great time! Location: Charmingfare Farm Contact: Loula Kalampalikis - LifeShare Inc., 603-625-8825, loula@lifeshareinc.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=NH

Foster Care Events in New Jersey These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: Apr 26, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: Child Placement Review Annual Conference At the annual conference of volunteers we will be holding an Appreciation Campaign at our meeting. We will hand out blue ribbons and form letters of appreciation to be handed out to foster parents attending review board meetings or to be mailed to foster parents whose children are being reviewed during the month of May. Our way to say thank you to foster parents who do so much for our children. Location: Sheraton Eatontown Contact: Andrea Freedman, 856-854-1966, AFree29212@cs.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 5, 2006 Time: 6 - 9:30 PM Event: Foster and Adoptive Family Services Annual Recogniton Dinner Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS) in conjunction with the Division of Youth and Family Services will host its Annual Recognition Dinner. It is a time set aside to honor both foster and adoptive parents who go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of New Jersey's most vulnerable children. The Annual Recognition Dinner is also a time of reflection and remembrance. This year FAFS will hold a special candle lighting ceremony. This ceremony allows each and every individual who attends the Recognition Dinner a chance to pay tribute to the 12,000 children in foster care in New Jersey. The lighting of each candle will give people an opportunity to reflect on how they can continue to help the more than 500,000 children involved with the child welfare system across the United States. Please join us in acknowledging outstanding individuals for their incredible efforts in making the child welfare system work. Location: Doubletree Hotel 200 Atrium Drive Somerset Contact: Charlene Edwards, Director of Association Development, 1/800/222-0047, cedwards@fafsonline.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=NJ

Foster Care Events in New York These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 1 - 31, 2006 Event: Oswego County Blue Ribbon Campaign We will hold such events as our annual foster parent appreciation dinner, blue ribbon event at East Park in Oswego, Reception and training with Judge Roman(Family Court Judge), recruitment campaign, community awareness,and appreciation campaign. Contact: Chris Moses/ Nancy Clark, (315)668-3673/(315)598-4642, FAPAOCinc@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 5, 2006 Time: 4 - 6 PM Event: Ribbon Tying Ceremony Foster families, youth, agency staff, legislators and anyone else who cares about our children are welcome to tie a ribbon on our "Foster Care Tree." Meet "Ziggy," a national spokesperson for National Foster Care Month. Location: New York State Capitol Albany Contact: Carol Van Valkenburgh, 518 442-5784, cvanvalk@pdp.albany.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 5, 2006 Time: 6 - 9 PM Event: Global Village Therapeutic Foster Care Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner This event is held annually by staff to recognize and show appreciation to our foster parents dedicated to fostering and adopting hard to place children. The event includes a meal, keynote speaker(s), entertainment, and recognition for adoptions, years of service, and foster parent of the year. Location: Buffalo Contact: Zaheera Hemphill/Sarah Pearson, 716-834-9413 ext. 205, azeem_muslimah@hotmail.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 11 - 13, 2006 Time: all day Event: Adoption 2006 - There's No Place Like Home The 17th Annual Statewide Adoption Training Conference for adoptive and foster parents, caseworkers, administrators, mental health and legal professionals and volunteers, educators, all members of the adoption and foster care community, and children's advocates. See complete conference brochure at http://www.nysccc.org/Conferences/2006Conf/2006ConfBrochure.pdf. Location: Albany Hotel Albany Contact: Jed Ashton, 607-272-0034, office@nysccc.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 12, 2006 Time: 3 PM Event: Monroe County Family Court National Foster Care Month Celebration Monroe County Family Court, in collaboration with our Community Partners, will hold a ceremony commemorating National Foster Care Month and recognizing the importance foster parents play in the lives of many children. Location: Courtroom 303 Hall of Justice Contact: Mary Aufleger, 585-428-4068, Mauflege@Courts.state.ny.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 18, 2006 Time: 6 - 8:30 PM Event: The Fostering Connection Spring Benefit Party The Fostering Connection is a nonprofit social-action project committed to providing high quality pro-bono psychotherapy to children, youth, and families affected by foster care. Location: 77 Bleecker Street Apt. 1414 New York Contact: Pat Precin, 917 868-9967, thefosteringconnection@yahoo.com http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=NY

Foster Care Events in North Carolina These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 2, 2006 Time: 6 - 7:30 PM Event: Foster Friends Reception To celebrate National Foster Care Awareness Month and to honor the individuals in the Guilford County area who have supported the mission of Foster Friends of NC. Location: Greensboro www.fosterfriendsnc.org for event location Contact: Melissa T. Fourrier, 336.324.6008, melissa@fosterfriendsnc.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 13, 2006 Time: 10 AM - 2 PM Event: Blue Ribbon Campaign and Fun Day State and Local officials along with social workers, foster parents, Guardian Ad Litem volunteers, media and our community will particpate in a Blue Ribbon Ceremony to honor Craven County's foster children and foster families. In addition, there will be entertainment, children's activities, food vendors and informational booths about becoming involved in the foster care system. Location: Union Point Park Front Street Downtown New Bern Contact: Kimberly Best, 252-636-4900 ext. 3118, kimberly.best@ncmail.net http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=NC

Foster Care Events in North Dakota These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 4, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: Blue Ribbon Tying Event We will tie blue ribbons on trees to represent each youth in the foster care system for the eight southwest counties in North Dakota. Local dignitaries and judges have been invited to join foster parents, social workers, juvenile court works and human service administrators for this event. Location: Stark County Courthouse Dickinson Contact: Kathi Nygaard, (701) 225-3310, knygaard@pathinc.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Nov 4, 2006 Time: 11 AM Event: Blue Ribbon Ceremony Planting a tree symbolizing foster children and the growth that occurs as we assist them in achieving permanence. Will be affixing one blue ribbon for each child in care in our county. Location: Grand Forks County Courthouse 4th Street South Grand Forks Contact: Lisa Piche, 701-795-3016, 84picl@state.nd.us http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=ND

Foster Care Events in Ohio These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: Apr 29, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: Change a Lifetime Blue Ribbon Campaign We are planning a ribbon ceremony representing the nearly 200 children in foster care in Allen County. We then plan to have a walk through town, and end up at Town Square, where addition festivities are still to be decided. This is our first year, and are excited to see how it takes off! Our link is at: http://www.fapaa-foster-and-adoptive-parents-assoc-of-allen-co-oh.com Location: The Children's Garden 600 block of West Market Street behind the Allen County Museum Lima Contact: Lori Endres, (419)339-0346, fapaa@woh.rr.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 1, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: SAFY of America Ribbon Ceremony Ceremony kicking off national Foster Care Month. The local mayor will speak as will the CEO, Dru Whitaker. An open house will follow. Location: 10100 Elida Rd Delphos Contact: Beth Anspach, 419-695-8010, anspachb@safy.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 19, 2006 Time: 10 AM - 7 PM Event: Easton Town Center Community Booth Young Adult Community Development will be located in the Easton Towne Center Mall to Raise Public Awareness and pass out blue ribbons. Location: Easton Town Center 160 Easton Town Center Contact: Gayle Loyola, 614-447-8563, admin@yacd.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 20, 2006 Time: 10 AM - 3 PM Event: Family Event to be Held to Celebrate National Foster Care Month Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth of Ohio (SAFY) will host a very special event honoring foster families. This fun family event will feature games, a raffle, food and prizes and is designed to help members of our community learn more about the tremendous need for foster families. "During this special event, prospective foster parents can meet current foster parents and some of the children who live in their homes," said Amy Moore, foster parent recruiter for SAFY, "They will have an opportunity to connect with SAFY staff and find out more information about foster care and how they can 'change a lifetime.'" According to Moore, this important event planned in conjunction with National Foster Care Month as a way to reinforce the plight of needy children nationwide. The face of foster care is constantly changing. Approximately 20,000 children are living in foster care in Ohio. Most children are placed in care temporarily due to abuse or neglect. There are only about 12,000 licensed foster homes in the state and the average age of a child in care is 10 year sold. The majority of children remain in foster care for two years or longer and most are eventually reunited with their birth families. However, an overwhelming 65% of children adopted in Ohio find homes with their former foster families. Without a lifelong connection with a loving adult, foster children who grow up and "age out" of the system face many obstacles. Only about half of them ever graduate from high school, about 30% end up homeless and nearly 40% are receiving public assistance. Founded in 1984, SAFY is committed to providing quality programs with support and supervision by professional staff. With offices in nine states and with more than 1,000 young people in care, SAFY is one of the nation's leading providers of foster care services. SAFY provides homes for difficult to place youth who have been abandoned, abused or neglected. SAFY's focus is on children with special needs and in providing permanent, stable and caring environments so they may grow and develop to their full potential. For more information about SAFY and this special family event, please call 888-595-1230 or log on to our website at www.safy.org. Location: Zion Lutheran Church 349 Lindy Lane NW North Canton Contact: Amy Moore, 1-800-787-7239, MooreA@safy.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 27, 2006 Time: 10 AM - 12 PM Event: Aging Out: A Community Forum Young Adult Community Development will sponsor the second annual community forum titled "Aging Out A Community Forum." We will have a panel of youth in care and youth who have aged out to discuss their hopes and dreams and take questions from community members. Location: Whetstone Branch of the Columbus Public Library Contact: Gayle Loyola, 614-447-8563, admin@yacd.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=OH

Foster Care Events in Oklahoma These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 2, 2006 Time: 10:30 AM Event: Ribbon-Tying Ceremony Ribbon-Tying Ceremony in honor of our Therapeutic Foster Care Families and National Foster Care Month. We want to raise awareness about Therapeutic Foster care in the state of Oklahoma and educate the public about being a Foster Family. Location: 4101 Perimeter Center Drive Suite 300 Oklahoma City Contact: Whitney Edwards, 405-270-1700, whitney@DS9HSE.com http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=OK

Foster Care Events in Oregon These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 20, 2006 Time: 6 - 7:30 PM Event: Foster Parent Appreciation Dessert The Foster Parent Connections group (www.fpconnect.org) will host an appreciation dessert for foster parents. Our guest speaker will be Gene Head of Lifted Up (www.Liftedup.org) Prior to this meeting we will also host a clothing exchange from 5-6 pm. Location: 531 N Main in Room Office Complex NORTH Gresham Contact: Debbie Sharp, 503-761-4686 Message or 503-418-2340 Day, events@fpconnect.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=OR

Foster Care Events in Pennsylvania These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: Apr 28, 2006 Time: 11 AM Event: National Foster Care Month Kick-off Hang banner at Department of Human Services Building recognizing National Foster Care Month and the Department's local agencies for helping foster children. Distribute handouts and balloons. Location: 1515 Arch Street Philadelphia Contact: Wilhelmina Cockroft, 215-820-5889, kcftapprogram@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 9, 2006 Time: 12 NOON Event: Change a Lifetime! On the steps of the courthouse in Bellefonte, we will be holding Centre County's second annual "CHANGE A LIFETIME" event to thank our foster parents and to raise public awareness regarding the number of children in foster care in Centre County. Blue ribbons will be tied on trees to represent the number of children presently in foster care in Centre County. This event is being sponsored by CYS, FICS, YFS, and the Second Mile, and will be attended by agency staff, judges, commissioners, and other guests. Location: Courthouse Steps Bellefonte Contact: Jessica DuFour, 814-355-3807 ext 214, jldufour@adelphia.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 20, 2006 Time: 11 AM - 1 PM Event: Blue Ribbon Celebration This family friendly event is a way to promote the need for foster families in Cambria County. Join us for child car seat checks, children's fingerprinting by the Johnstown Police Department, dance related activities for all ages, and much more! There will be information for individuals who are interested in foster parenting. Location: Downtown Johnstown (the Gazebo in Central Park) Contact: Apryl, 814-255-9559, ADolgas@pfcs.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 20, 2006 Time: 1 - 4 PM Event: Foster Parent Recognition Reception Reception honoring Resource Families, Foster Youth, Agencies, and Individuals who have impacted the life of a child and celebrate their accomplishments. Location: Greater Bible Way Church 52nd & Media St. Philadelphia Contact: Wilhelmina Cockroft, 215-820-5889, kcftapprogram@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 23, 2006 Time: 7 - 9 AM Event: Legislators Meet & Greet Legislators have been invited to have breakfast with Foster Families from their districts to develop relationships and committment that will support our efforts to meet the needs of goster children and Resource Families throughout the state. Location: State Capital Harrisburg Contact: Kathy Ramper, 717-671-0102, kRamper@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 27, 2006 Time: 11 AM - 6 PM Event: Foster Family Picnic Foster Parent Associations throughout the state are coming together to recognize National Foster Care Month by spending a fun-filled day together caring and sharing time with the children ,each other and making new friends. Location: Knoebles Grove Amusement Park Ellysburg Contact: Kathy Ramper, 717-671-0102, kcftapprogram@aol.com http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=PA

Foster Care Events in Rhode Island These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 4, 2006 Time: 6:00 - 11:00 PM Event: 19th Annual DCYF Foster Parents Appreciation Dinner The Rhode Island Foster Parents Association coordinates this statewide appreciation dinner for DCYF to honor ALL foster parents in RI. This year's event will have a country-western theme and will feature door prizes, raffles and a silent auction. The Hon. John H. Chafee Award for Excellence in Foster Care, the Leslie Vargas Lifetime Achievement Award, the RIFPA Award of Excellence and the DCYF Worker of the Year awards will all be bestowed on this year's recipients during a short speaking program hosted by local NBC 10's anchorwoman Margie O'Brien. Location: Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet Cranston Contact: Lisa Guillette, (401) 438-3900, lisa.guillette@rifpa.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=RI

Foster Care Events in Texas These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 5 - 7, 2006 Event: Sunburn Grand Prix/ TRAC @ the TRACK The Sports Car Club of America is putting on its annual Sunburn Grand Prix in conjunction with the Transition Resource Action Center. Free to all foster families, CPS, and CASA. Three days of cars, food, and fun! Location: Texas Motor Speedway Ft. Worth Contact: Dani Diercks, (214) 370-9300 ext. 27, danielle@traconline.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=TX

Foster Care Events in Virginia These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 1, 2006 Time: NOON Event: Ribbon-Tying Ceremony We will have a brief presentation by reps from CASA and a local Department of Social Services. Then workers, foster parents, and others will join in tying 298 turquoise ribons on trees on the "Downtown Mall" outside of City Hall -- one ribbon for each of the 298 children in foster care in the tri areas of Albemarle, Charlottesville, and Greene counties. Location: at the "Free Exression Monument" in front of Charlottesville City Hall Contact: Amy Nash, 434-970-3329, nash@charlottesville.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 1, 2006 Time: 9:30 - 11 AM Event: 2nd Annual Ribbon Tying Ceremony The Portsmouth Department of Social Services will be holding our 2nd Annual Ribbon Tying Ceremony in recognition of the families. The reading of the Proclamation will also take place. Location: 1701 High Street Portsmouth Contact: Kamilah Milford-White, 757 405-1800 ext 8160, kxm740@eastern.dss.state.va.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 13, 2006 Time: 10 AM - 2 PM Event: Foster Care Awareness Day The Hampton Roads Foster/Adoptive Family Foundation is sponsoring a foster care awareness day at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in an effort to recruit new foster parents in the Hampton Roads area. Location: 206 High St. Portsmouth Contact: faYe Howe, hrfaff@cox.net http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=VA

Foster Care Events in Washington These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: Apr 25, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: Clallam County Foster Care Month Proclamation Proclamation to announce & support National Foster Care month by Clallam County Commissioners, Mike Chapman and Steve Tharinger. Location: Clallam County Court House Port Angeles Contact: Colleen Robinson, 360-460-5560, crcrir@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 1, 2006 Event: YMCA Family Swim All YMCA's across the state have opened Family Swim night to all Foster Parents. Just bring the swim pass and a photo ID. Check with your Local YMCA for locations. Contact: Mark Richards-Wetzel, 1-800-760-5340, mrichardswetzel@fsmh.seattleymca.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 2, 2006 Time: 10:30 AM Event: Foster Care Month Kick-off Event National Foster Care Month kicks off at the Space Needle. The celebration will feature a proclamation, the hanging of a banner on the Space Needle, a luncheon, and speeches. Location: Base of the Space Needle Seattle Contact: Virginia Pryor, 206-352-4294, vpryor@casey.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 4, 2006 Time: 6 - 8 PM Event: Foster Care Resource Network Dinner/Meeting Dinner will be served by DCFS/DLR staff to foster parents attending the Foster Care Resource Network Dinner/Meeting. Door prizes in the form of gift baskets and gift certificates will be given. Location: Salvation Army Pierce County Contact: Cherrie Druffel, 253-983-6235, drch300@dshs.wa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 6, 2006 Time: NOON - 5 PM Event: Cake at the Space Needle Join Casey Family Programs in celebrating 40 years of fostering families and fostering change. Enjoy cake and ice cream and learn what it takes to become a foster parent. Lots of fun activities for children.The event includes: Booths staffed by Casey’s Seattle office, the State of Washington, and other Community Partners focusing on foster parent recruitment; a short program; and Inspirational remarks by Regina Louise, a foster care alumna and author of Somebody's Someone. Location: Space Needle Seattle Contact: Virginia Pryor, 206-352-4294, vpryor@casey.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 11, 2006 Time: 5:30 - 8 PM Event: All the Best - A Celebration of Caring! Our Annual event to say thank you to our resource families! A spaghetti dinner with special sauces prepared by staff from each of the child placing agencies in Benton and Franklin Counties. Lots of door prizes, entertainment, fun, games and more! Dinner begins at 6 PM. Location: Bethel Church 600 Shockley Rd. Richland Contact: Share A Piece of Your Heart Workgroup, 509-737-287, doka300@dshs.wa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 12, 2006 Time: 7 - 9:30 PM Event: Kids in Foster Care Summer Camp Fundraiser An Evening of Entertainment & Awareness. Local musical talent with testimonies from the local foster care community. All money raised will be used for kids in care to attend the summer camp of their choice, Clallam County has approximately 180 kids in care! Location: Port Angeles High School 204 Park St Port Angeles Contact: Colleen Robinson, 360-460-5560, crcrir@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 12, 2006 Time: 7 PM Event: Why Foster? Fundraiser An evening of entertainment and information regarding the foster care community on the Olympic Peninsula. All money raised will be used for children in care to attend a summer camp of their choice... a luxury many children in care never experience. Location: Port Angeles High School Port Angeles Contact: Colleen Robinson, 360-460-5560, crcrir@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 13, 2006 Time: NOON - 5 PM Event: Transitioning Youth Taking place at the foot of the Space Needle, this event includes: Booths that highlight education, scholarships, internship opportunities, and employment information; and Foster care alumni with expertise in fashion, music, comedy, and motivational speaking will share their experiences (Tony Shellman, Kashif, and Josh Shipp). Location: Space Needle Seattle Contact: Virginia Pryor, 206-352-4294, vpryor@casey.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 15, 2006 Time: 10 AM Event: Foster Care Month Celebration Washington State's annual Foster Care Month Celebration to honor and recognize those who work daily to change a lifetime. Location: Columbia Room Legislative Building Olympia Contact: Barbara Bofinger, 360-902-7986, boba300@dshs.wa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 18, 2006 Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM Event: Foster Parent Recognition Picnic We will recognize and thank foster parents for all they do! Come out and enjoy a barbecue and picnic while interacting with foster parents and staff. Location: Ft. Vancouver Reserve Vancouver Contact: Bernie Gerhardt, 360-993-6927, gebe300@dshs.wa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 20, 2006 Time: NOON - 5 PM Event: Information Day This event takes place at the foot of the Space Needle. It will include: Booths with information from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Treehouse, Childhaven, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and other non-profits that help children in care; and Keith Bulluck, All-Pro Linebacker of the Tennessee Titans and foster care alumnus, will talk about how he gives back through his Believe and Achieve Foundation. Location: Space Needle Seattle Contact: Virginia Pryor, 206-352-4294, vpryor@casey.org http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=WA

Foster Care Events in Wisconsin These are all of the events in your state. Need directions? You can get them from Mapquest, Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Date: May 11, 2006 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM Event: A Celebration of Foster Families Portage Co. Health & Human Services is parntering with the Stevens Point B.P.O of Elks in sponsoring an evening of live music and refreshments to say thank you to foster families and recognize the value of foster parents, their children, foster children in their care, staff and Board members who are in support of foster families. We're also participating in a Blue Ribbon Campaign throughout the month of May. Location: Elk's Club 1132 Clark St. Stevens Point Contact: Cathy Rhutasel, Foster Care Coordinator, (715) 345-5913, rhutasec@co.portage.wi.us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 12, 2006 Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 NOON Event: Journey Home to Clark County The Journey Home to Clark County is chance for participants to see foster care through the eyes of a child. Participants will experience situations that could lead to the removal of a child from their home. They will interact with: the CPS worker, detective, doctor, judge, social worker, GAL and foster parents on their journey through foster care. They will experience the frustration and confusion of the foster care system and end the day with a chance to discuss what future roles they could play. Location: Neillsville Contact: Tammy Karlen, 715-743-5268, tammy.karlen@co.clark.wi http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Events/EventsListing.htm?state=WI