YOU MATTER!
Ohio Appreciation Tea Group Photo
Last year’s Appreciation Tea was very well received and, in the hope of making it an annual tradition, the Ohio Chapter of WFWP held the 2nd Annual Appreciation Tea on September 30 in Columbus. The tea was designed so that WFWP members who contribute financially, but are mostly unable to attend activities, have an opportunity to meet with staff, ask questions, preview the events of the year, see how their donations are being used, and gather over coffee and cake to relax and enjoy together. This year’s delicious homemade cake selections were: tiramisu, mango mousse, strawberry-kiwi and chocolate.
Before starting, photos were circulated of the event in May: “Breaking Barriers on ‘Culture Day’ Through Mexican Dance,” directed by Mrs. Annette Yamakawa. She worked with young girls at a local elementary school in Columbus and gave a wonderful performance on their Culture Day and an introduction to WFWP activities.
The meeting began by first inviting those assembled to the 23rd WFWP USA National Assembly on October 23 & 24 in Washington DC. Margaret Kim read poignant excerpts from WFWP founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Everyone was then introduced to our newest member: baby Emily Grishin, daughter of Nataliya, WFWP Ohio Chairwoman, who is now on maternity leave. Emily stole the show with her lovely smiles.
Finally we watched the "Benefit for Africa 2014" video of last year’s Schools of Africa benefit in Ohio. It was reminded us of the wonderful work WFWP is doing in Africa to educate young people there, and helped us consider how to raise funds for the Schools of Africa this year and in the future.
The Ohio Chapter was recently contacted by Mrs. Kay Adams, a WFWP member from New York, who will be moving to the area in December. She met shortly with Nataliya to connect with the Ohio Chapter and is excited to work here when she returns to Ohio by year’s end. She is especially interested in connecting with young people. Mrs. Jutta Tobkins also joined the tea. She is a long-time WFWP member who just moved to the Columbus area from Cincinnati. It is inspiring for the Ohio Chapter to have more ladies and more wonderful ideas for future events in Ohio. At the end of the program, everyone was asked to choose a gift from the gift table. We all enjoyed having time to reconnect and be together as sisters.
