Tall & Small Ball raises $15,000 for foster kids

FosterAdopt Connect’s inaugural Tall & Small Ball Saturday raised $15,000 for foster and adoptive programs, as well as provided joy for the families of the children receiving services.

The dinner and dance at the Westwood Event Center in Poplar Bluff were designed to help support and expand the group’s programs.

“Our best count was 115 attendees,” said Mary Haldeman, branch director of FosterAdopt Connect Poplar Bluff.

The event was profitable both educationally, as well as in helping finance the current and upcoming programs, Haldeman said.

“Nate Newman, board member, shared sobering statistics on the outcomes of many children who go through the child welfare system, as well as made a plea for additional financial help,” Haldeman said.

Haldeman asked attendees to help in any manner they could, “from helping transport the children to appointments, to giving the resource parent a couple hours break, to being a listening ear. Not everyone can foster or adopt, but the entire community can make a meaningful impact on the wellness and healing of children who are or were involved in the child welfare system.

“Children don’t suddenly forget their trauma and loss when they are moved to a stable or adoptive home. It’s a long-term effort from community members and organizations like FosterAdopt Connect that can bring the change needed.”

Valentine sponsors for the event were Slug Hefner of Hefner Furniture & Appliance, Dan Coffman and Mason and Kathryn Bell of Hillcrest Animal Hospital.

Slug Hefner explained why he supports the program.

“I think it’s a good cause,” Hefner said. “I think it’s a needed cause and helps society. It’s all positive. It helps us locally. Our employees all support (FosterAdopt Connect), and think it’s a good cause.”

The event was well-anticipated by both FosterAdopt Connect staff and advisory board members, however “the evening was more joyful than even we expected,” Haldeman said. “Heroes for Kids of Perryville, Missouri, and Storybook Entertainment SEMO, as well as Dave Williams of AtoM Entertainment made the dance floor one of the liveliest we’ve seen.”

No Quarter Trading Post with “Ink For A Cause — Kids’ Edition” was a huge hit because children got amazing (kid-friendly) tattoos by real tattoo artists.

“Some kids went back dozens of times to make sure they had a ‘sleeve’ or tattoos on every limb,” Haldeman said. “Green Oasis kept the kids happy with the hot chocolate and snow cones. Vanity Lounge Salon gave kids special touch-ups on their hair if they wanted to be pampered. The faces of the parents as they watched their children party in kids’ style were priceless. Tasteful Creations and the Westwood Event Center were spectacular.”

Haldeman said, “All sponsors made this event special and possible, however, these sponsors were especially generous to our cause. We had 23 sponsors, all of which helped make this event a success and made the fundraiser more profitable.”

Monetary sponsors included Slug Hefner of Hefner Furniture & Appliance, Sterling Bank, Coffman & Company, Saint Francis Medical Center, Butler County Title Company, Strategic Investment Advisors Cape, Dr. Yeoman’s Dermatology Office, The Bank of Missouri, Divine Family Eye Care, McLane Transport, First Choice Insurance, Ozark Physical Therapy, Blaich Family Dentistry, Whitworth Gift Chest Jewelers, Godfather’s Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Baldwin Chevy, Eastside Pharmacy, Walking With Jesus Ministry, Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge and Redmond Properties.