From OFA Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

Many OFA scholarship students are sponsored by individuals, foundations and corporations. These generous people and organizations believe the promise of our students and show it in the most tangible way possible – by funding a scholarship, or two or three or more.

EdFund, one of the nation’s leading providers of student loan services under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, processed more than $9.3 billion in student loans in 2006-07. The mission of this non-profit organization is to maximize “benefits to borrowers by being the premier service provider in the student loan industry.” EdFund is “in the business of building futures” — and for the second year in a row they are building futures for OFA students with generous scholarship funds.

EdFund recently held their annual golf tournament and dinner to raise funds for this scholarship. OFA student Melissa Medina was the guest speaker. Here is what she had to say about the event:

“I had the awesome opportunity to represent OFA at the Annual EdFund Golf Tournament dinner. This was my chance to let the people at EdFund know what a huge difference they make in our lives. The golf participants were all fun and very caring people; they made me feel like the guest of honor. In the past as a foster child, people have often made me feel as though I had something to be ashamed of. I felt as if I had something to feel sorry for, but these folks didn’t do that. They were eager to hear what we struggle with on a day to day basis. I made sure to keep my speech light and geared towards a positive future. I felt that this was important, as I know that many of you are like myself and do not feel bad about the past, but empowered by the strength that we received during those times. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. It was a tremendous honor and I hope to do it again.”

In the photograph above: Melissa and Sam Kipp, EdFund President.

Today’s foray into the ever-enchanting world of OFA student Facebookisms:

Maria, an alumnus of BYU in Idaho, has “had an awesomely fun (and final-exam-tastic) day!”

Candace of Central State University writes that “It feels good going to the mall twice in a day.” Included in her favorite quotes: “Make the money, don’t let the money make you.” And: “Men, chocolate and coffee are all better rich.”

William, senior at Walsh University, “is going to the beach!!!!” Among his personal activities, he cites “Research in bio-diesel fuel and fuel cell research, as well as purification of elements (i.e. Gold, Silver, Platinum, etc.)”

Brandon, a senior at UNC Charlotte, a “is in desperate need of the beach.” He posts a plaque on his page that reads “God created liquor to keep the Irish from conquering the world.”

Lily, a California native and rising senior at Yale University, cites a favorite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

It’s not every day that OFA is mentioned by name in a resolution introduced in the United States Congress. The following press release was issued nationally this morning:

House Resolution Recognizes the Importance of Providing Workplace Opportunities for Foster Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Resolution 1332 was introduced in the House of Representatives last week, calling attention to the plight of youth who have aged of the foster care system. The resolution encourages employers nationwide to provide more internships and employment opportunities for America’s foster youth.

Introduced by U.S. Representative Dennis A. Cardoza (D-Calif.), the resolution underscores the important issues confronting more than 25,000 youth who age out of the system each year and face a challenging world without family and financial support.

“I have met many foster youth seeking to break into the workforce, and it is clear they are asking for a hand up, not a hand out,” said Congressman Cardoza. “I encourage organizations nationwide to open their doors to youth from the foster care system.”

The Orphan Foundation of America’s (OFA’s) InternAmerica program helped prompt the resolution. Every year, the OFA awards internships to foster students nationwide, facilitating opportunities that build resumes and launch careers. Such internships are frequently unattainable without family or friend connections and involve expenses that foster youth cannot afford. OFA’s InternAmerica provides students with transportation, housing, stipends and professional development seminars.

“We are grateful to Congressman Cardoza for highlighting the importance of extending workplace opportunities to foster youth,” said Eileen McCaffrey, OFA’s executive director. “When given the right support, they can achieve their goals and become great assets in the workforce.”

“OFA’s InternAmerica experience changed my life and shows me I can do more than just survive the system – I can and will succeed,” said Amanda Williams, a foster student and junior from University of Indianapolis who just completed an InternAmerica experience with the office of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-Indiana).

Photo above: InternAmerica 2008 Interns Ralph Wills, Sharon Hernandez, Amanda Williams, Ivis Flanagan, and Victor Horton flank OFA Executive Director Eileen McCaffrey (center).

From OFA Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

Back in April, Francine Brown was one of 26 community college students honored at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for two-year institutions and the Nebraska Community College Association, sponsored the event, which featured speeches by several of the students and the awarding of medallions by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman.

Here is an excerpt from Francine’s speech:

“As a result of my mother struggling through life and my father’s unfortunate death, I grew up in a life of much instability. Having attended twenty-one different schools, learning new information is sometimes a challenge. As a person struggling to survive and meet my basic survival needs, education is sometimes the last thing on my mind. I was not given the opportunity at a stable environment, but that did not stop me from being the first in my family to graduate high school.

“Poverty, neglect, abuse, violence, addiction, abandonment, group homes, detention centers, youth shelters, foster homes; this is the life I lived; this is the life I could have provided my family. Teens coming from a background such as mine are likely to be unemployed, without a high school diploma or G.E.D; they rarely pursue higher education and are more likely to end up in prison, prostitution, or dead. My family and I will not be part of the statistics. I am working towards providing the keys of success to my children such as a life free of poverty, a home of unconditional love, and access to unlimited knowledge.

“My success in college has been shown through my grades, progression of classes, participation in school organizations and activities, scholarships, awards, and standing here today. I will graduate college with a Bachelor’s in Sonography. Overcoming and rising above the immense obstacles that I face on the road to success is the challenge, but breaking the cycle of poverty has been rewarding in itself as well as to others. Through my success I continue to gain the confidence and knowledge needed to enhance society.”

Congratulations to Francine! OFA is very proud to support her academic endeavors and we look forward to her graduation in May 2010.

I hopped on the Metro recently and went into downtown DC to catch an evening seminar with the OFA InternAmerica group.

In addition to their six-week job assignments, OFA interns participate in a series of weekly workshops geared toward professional and personal development. This session focused on a critical topic: managing personal finance, obtaining and building good credit, and basic dollar common sense. I was deeply impressed with the moderator, Reggie Brandeen, Relationship Manager at Freddie Mac, as he connected with the students and kept them engaged in lively and informative dialogue on money matters for more than two hours. Even after the roundtable discussion was over, he stayed to talk to every last intern and answer questions late into the evening.

In the photo above, Reggie wraps up the night with interns Sharon Hernandez, Reston Bishop, Ralph Wills, Victor Horton, and Keisha Fleming. The conference room setting for these workshops is generously provided by the good folks at Edison Electric Institute, fyi. OFA extends warm thanks to Reggie and Freddie Mac for having made this session possible.

From OFA Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

OFA is exceptionally proud of alumnus Michelle Rigg, who earned her B.A. in 2007 at The Rhode Island School of Design. Pictured here, Michelle is an artist who created an unusual ceramic piece that is being shown in an art gallery in Georgetown, one of Washington DC’s most exclusive old neighborhoods.

At the opening on Friday night, Michelle’s piece was prominently displayed in the front of the gallery. A miniature artist’s easel in the “trompe d’oeile” or “fool the eye” style, it looks just like a real wooden easel but is entirely made of brown clay. Every detail of the wood-grain and texture is exact and the craftsmanship is exquisite – except for the cool ceramic feel upon touching this little easel, one would never know it isn’t the genuine article.

It was a great joy to attend Michelle’s first professional opening – and to recognize immediately that her work stands shoulder to shoulder with that of the long established and nationally famous artists with whom she shared the spotlight. Way to go, Michelle – we are, indeed, very proud of you and your bright future!

From OFA Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

Recently OFA invited five scholars to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Ashley Farrish (Ohio), Melissa Medina (California), Diane Moliva (Minnesota), Emily Quigley (New Hampshire) and Niki White (Maryland) stayed at this beautiful, historic university and attended workshops covering important leadership, personal growth, financial, educational and career issues.

“I learned the power of networking and how it can open more doors for me,” said Diane. Niki added, “I walked away from this conference with my head held high and the strength to continue to work hard.”

As empowering as the conference was, the highlights of the trip were when the young ladies had dinner with OFA’s 22 wonderful D.C. interns at Catholic University on Friday night, and Saturday when they spent the day on the National Mall with OFA Scholarship Associate Mary Imler and myself. They visited the U.S. Capitol, the Air and Space Museum and the Holocaust Museum; and Melissa achieved her childhood dream when she got to see the elephant in the rotunda of the Natural History Museum.

OFA thanks Casey Family Programs for providing the funding for this wonderful opportunity.

Pictured in the photo above, left to right: Melissa Medina, Ashley Farrish, Mary Imler, Emily Quigley, Diane Moliva

Behold 20 wonderful participants of the 2008 OFA InternAmerica Program. I stepped up on a chair and copped this photo of them at a gathering staged by our friends at Foster Care Alumni of America.

There are two more who didn’t make it into the photo. I hope you’ll meet them all in this blog over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, here’s the total roster in alphabetical order. This is a stellar group; check out the heavyweight assignments they’ve taken on:

Reston Bishop; Ozarks Community College; interning at the office of Senator Claire McCaskill

Devon Caldwell; Wright State Univ; interning at CASA-DC

Allen Coltrane; NC Agricultural & Technical University; interning at the Office of Senator Elizabeth Dole

Lily Dorman-Colby; Yale University; interning at the American Bar Association

Ivis Flanagan; Northern Kentucky University; interning at the Childrens Defense Fund

Keisha Fleming; SUNY Plattsburgh; interning at the Office of Congressman Edolphus Towns

Sharon Hernandez; SUNY Binghamton; interning at Compass Lexecon

Victor Horton; Virginia State University; interning at Siemens Corporation

Candace Jackson; Central State University (Ohio); interning at Washington Hospital Center

Samuel Jackson; Columbus State Community College; interning at the office of Congressman Pat Tiberi

Jessica Jenkins; NC Agricultural & Technical University; interning at Kidsave

Katrina McCormick; University of Central Florida; interning at the office of Senator Mel Martinez

Mattie Miller; SUNY Albany; interning at Neighborworks America

Laurel Milliken; Colorado State University; interning at FINRA

Corey Nash; Morehouse College; interning at the US Conference of Mayors

Anthony Nero; North Carolina State University; interning at the American Chemistry Council

William Ress; Walsh University; interning at the office of Congressman Ralph Regula

Bianca Ruthven ; Chatham University (VA); interning at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Maty Sall; Morgan State University; interning at the House Republican Conference

Gaelle Taku-Bisong; University of Maryland - Eastern Shore; interning at Neighborworks America

Amanda Williams; University of Indianapolis; interning at the office of Senator Evan Bayh

Ralph Wills; Muskingum College; interning at the office of Senator Sherrod Brown

To view the bonus goofball photo, click on the thumbnail at left.

Visit again soon for updates on their progress.

OFA student Samuel Jackson, a Political Science major at Columbus State Community College, is making new friends in high places in the nation’s capital — thanks to the OFA InternAmerica summer program.

I met Sam two nights ago on the campus at Catholic University in DC, where the OFA interns will be living for the next five weeks. He’s understandably pumped to be interning in the Capitol Hill office of U.S. Congressman Patrick Tiberi ( R-Ohio, pictured here).

“I am pleased to welcome Sam as a member of our team,” says Congressman Tiberi. “His knowledge of Central Ohio and his successful studies in political science will help him as he gets a look behind the scenes in a Congressional Office. I was an intern for my predecessor, John Kasich when I was a student, so I know first-hand that Sam will learn a lot.”

Check out the full press release that Congressman Tiberi’s office issued about the internship HERE.

Today’s foray into the ever-enchanting world of OFA student Facebookisms:

Lauren, a junior at SUNY Oswego, writes that “I’ll make it to the moon, even if have to crawl.”

Among her favorite activities, she includes “ART/Photography, mall/ shopping, music, singing in the shower, beach & summer time, gym, Chillin’, good times,” and “Doing well in school….Check the dean’s list.”

Jennifer, who graduated last year from Randolph College in New York, has added the Daily Sex In the City Quotes application to her Facebook page. Unfortunately, today’s random quote is not suitable for publication on this blog.

She describes her political views as “conservative” but posts political pages for Senator Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Kesean, a recent alumnus of University of Maryland, describes himself thus:

“I am one of the realest, most dignified, respectable, respected and just all around cool dudes anyone could ever meet. . . Crazy, Intelligent and anything else that encompasses the structure and value of a great man. If I have it and u need it, it’s yours. If u want it and i got it, it’s yours, maybe.”

Idaho native and OFA scholarship student (University of Maryland) Heather Burdette is currently living in Germany with her husband, a U.S. Air Force serviceman. She sent in the following message:

“In December 2006, my husband and I were transferred to Spangdahlem, Germany from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. I began working at the Air Force’s SAP (School Age Program) in Feb of 2007. I finished a year of care provider training modules in three months, and jumped pay grade in six months that should have taken me a year. I guess I have a habit of always saying, ‘Yes I can do that for you.’

“My boss recognized my progress back in October and congratulated me by making me employee of the month. She also sent in a package to superiors describing my work ethic. In January 2008, my supervisor informed me that I had been recognized as one of the top five caregivers Air Force wide. Then in March, the Air Force sent me to a conference in Florida where I received an award.

“Some of the things my supervisor said were:

“That I can relate well with the kids. I don’t miss work if I can help it. I am dependable and reliable. I take initiative around the program when things need to get done. I go above and beyond with my lesson plans and I can inspire any kid to be creative.

“What it comes down to is simply that I love my job. I love working with children and find it very easy to relate to them. It can be hard on families living in the Air Force communities, especially overseas, and that is basically why I am employed. I help kids cope with the changing stresses of school and family in these communities.”

Niki, an OFA/ETV community college student in Maryland, sent the following note to us through her vMentor:

“Graduation was great! One of the speakers made a comment saying, ‘For some of you, you will be the first to graduate from your family.’ That was me! I almost started to cry.

“Not too many people around here are in the situation I have been in — in and out of so many homes — and with God’s grace I was still able to come this far. It was a great feeling walking across the stage knowing that I have worked so hard to make it to this point. Nobody thought it was a big deal because it was just an Associate’s Degree, but no one knows the things I have been through and the road I was headed down a few years prior to starting college.

“Now I just have to hope for the best and finish at Towson. I am scared to death but I think I can learn the way of life on college campus. Thank you for wishing me the best and thinking of me!! I did it!!”

From OFA Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

On Wednesday, May 14th, a dozen caring, committed volunteers spent the day reading scholarship applications and making some very difficult choices.

They whittled approximately 200 finalists down to less than 100 potential Casey Family Scholars, awarding nearly $300,000 in scholarship funds for 2008-9.

These names will be submitted to the Board of Directors of Casey Family Programs in mid-June, and Scholars will be notified shortly thereafter.

The Scholarship Review Meeting brings a unique opportunity to read essays expressing the accomplishments and aspirations of foster youth, ages 17-24. These essays are candid, powerful, optimistic, and often heart-wrenching. Everyone who has participated in these meetings agrees that it opens their eyes to the depth of the issue and the plight of these determined young adults.

In the photo above: Randa Downs and Shelia High-King.

This year, OFA would like to thank the following individuals for their time and dedication:

Diane Barone-Gillian and Randa Downs — Casey Family Programs

Joan Wabschall — INOVA Fairfax Hospital for Children

We would also like to thank the numerous in-office volunteers who did the initial screening of close to 1,000 completed applications, as well as tip our hats to Jawanza Rand, who came to the Scholarship Selection Meeting in person to present his apologies for being unable to participate, despite a very trying day at the office!

At the end of April, OFA staged a fabulous collaborative Care Package event with our highly appreciated sponsor, Oracle Corporation, and troops from the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC).

Click here to view a mini photo journal of the event.

Yesterday an article written by the Associated Press appeared on CNN.com, covering the impending placement of 437 children from the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints into foster homes.

Apparently, the writer of this piece, which likely appeared in scores of syndicated publications, harbors some misconceptions about foster care and foster youth. First we draw your attention to a passage from the article that describes the FLDS children as innocent and sheltered:

“. . . frolicking in long dresses and buttoned-up shirts. . . reflecting their standards of modesty. For the same reason, they have little knowledge of pop culture. They pray twice a day. They tend vegetable gardens and raise dairy cows, and eat fresh food. And they are exceedingly polite, always saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ “

What the writer thinks of foster youth is depicted just as clearly:

“In contrast, many other children in foster care have a certain worldly swagger, and are there because they have used drugs or committed other crimes.”

Dismayed by this gross mischaracterization, OFA fired off a response to the editors at the Associated Press and CNN:

“If the sentence above was attributed to a FLDS lawyer or parent, it could be dismissed as a defensive response, but it appears that the A.P writer who penned the article is comfortable perpetuating negative stereotypes against foster children. How many ’swaggering children’ did the writer observe and what source confirmed that they are criminals?”

“In my 25 years of working with foster youth, what I have seen are neglected, abused children who are trying to cope with loss, fear and labels that make it okay for society to ignore their hopes, dreams and potential.”

“AP and CNN owe an apology to the 500,000 children in foster care today and the millions who experienced the system because the adults in their lives let them down.”

Eileen McCaffrey
Executive Director
Orphan Foundation of America

You can send a quick rebuke of your own via email to the Associated Press; as well as to CNN.com. When the press gets it wrong, respectfully written rebuttals sometimes coax them to get it right.

From an interview with Stacy, a graduate of Belmont University who lives in Tennessee:

“I think wanting to prove everyone wrong my entire life was one of my biggest motivations. Because you know, almost every single foster family I ever had always told me that I was not going to amount to anything. And I was never going to go to college…

“The program the Orphan Foundation is offering is a tremendous help, and I couldn’t be more thankful. What they are doing is so amazing, and it’s already changed a lot of youths’ lives. I think that for me, just knowing that there is an organization out there that is committed to supporting foster youth is what is so life-changing for me. And their support was instrumental in my education. It is an amazing place.

“And no, it wasn’t simply a cutting of the check. I think there is so much more involved with the Orphan Foundation than just simply cutting a check. They are worried about the overall being of youth and trying to make sure that youth are connected to caring adults, because one of the things that research shows is that if youth are connected to caring adults, that they will be successful. And I think that component is probably more important than the financial component.”

Sometimes a quote comes in that says it all. From an essay by Eprise, an OFA scholarship student:

“Foster care takes a tremendous part of your heart. You spend so much time dreaming of finding happiness that you forget to look for it.”
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This was posted in November ‘07 and merits bumping up to now. Of the thousands of thank-you messages we’ve gotten, it has to be one of the best. From Katherine Hunt, an OFA scholarship student at San Diego State University:

“Thank you for everything you do to advocate for former foster youth in post-secondary education. I don’t think I have ever properly thanked you for those efforts. I really believe that education saved me.

“I was reminded of this when I got a phone call from Sherie, a young woman I used to live with in a Sacramento group home. Her story really shook me up. She was walking down the street and stepped around a ‘crazy looking old homeless woman’ (her words), whom she tried to ignore. Then the homeless woman shouted, ‘Sherie!’ Startled, she looked at the woman and realized it was Alicia, a girl two years younger than me with whom I had been quite close. Apparently she was strung out and all but unrecognizable. The contrast was shocking. Alicia and Sherie and I had all been in the same group home at one point, in the same position in life.

“Thanks again. It means more than you may ever know.”

Read more about Katherine in the blog post we put up in July, when she was traveling in Thailand.

A.C. of upstate New York “is preparing for the rest of the semester — it’s gonna be a long one.” She describes her political views as “very liberal,” and is a member of 16 Facebook groups, including one called “I Love Naps.”

J.J. of New York City “is so ready for the weekend… I need to get trashed like a pop star.” She describes her political views as “conservative.”

H.H. of Virginia reports that she “is FREE!” Listed among her favorite quotes: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” (Editor’s note: Wasn’t it Eleanor Roosevelt who said that?)

Another of H.H.’s listed quotes is attributed to someone called “Grams”: “Become a wife, before you become a mother.”

L.S. of Missouri says that her favorite books include: “The ‘Harry Potter’ series (woot! i’m a nerd!), ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley, ‘East of Eden’ by John Steinbeck, ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky, ‘1984′ by George Orwell, ‘A Separate Peace’ by John Knowles, ‘The Collector’ by John Fowles (!!!), and ‘War and Peace’ by Leo Tolstoy.

She goes out of her way to add:

“Here are some books that can die: Anything by Mark Twain, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, . . . and I think that ‘Catcher in the Rye’ was a terrible, pointless book. Piece of crap critics told me it was good and they lied and I want them dead!!! but only slightly.”

Now that the “Friday Facebook” segment is in place, here is another new weekly contribution to the world’s blogosphere which, bloated as it may be with countless millions of blogs, can always use a dose of inspirational, life-changing news.

Each Tuesday, we’ll dig into our treasure vault and pull out statements from students who are succeeding in college and adult life — thanks in part to OFA funding and programs. We’ll also share testimonials from our base of virtual mentors, scholarship sponsors, volunteers, and other supporters.

From Maria, a student participating in the vMentor Program:

“When things have gotten hard, my mentor has given me the strength to move forward. Even if other people were giving me negative responses, she would remind me that I can do it. She helped me make smart life choices. She helped me assess a situation just like a parent would do, and say, ‘Maria, you need to make some changes and this is why. Here are your options.’ We’re very, very close. . . So she’s someone I will have in my life forever, and I’m so grateful for that program for bringing us together.”

Today we launch a new and hopefully regular round-up of delicious quotes and snippets from the week, as posted by OFA students on their personal Facebook pages.

Note: Names will be initialized to protect the innocent (and the guilty).

R.P. of California. . . “is TGIF.” She posts her new profile picture as follows:

P.C. of Maryland offers a list of his favorite quotes, mostly from the Bible, but also including this:

“God gave you two ears and one mouth so i figure that’s a message for you 2 listen more than u talk. In addition Listening is when you use your ears eyes and heart to give your undivided attention…lol.”

B.J. of Colorado has “finished Eat, Pray, Love…great book!” She offers this quote from Oscar Wilde:

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.”

S.K. of North Carolina has joined the Facebook group “Voluptuous Beauties.” She also writes that she is “real focused right now.”

M.R. of Maryland “is in love with Spring.”

This just in from Scholarship Director Tina Raheem:

Five Casey Scholars came to Washington DC this week to attend the annual convening of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the association of America’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The students, Halima (Hampton University, 2008), Jamal (Philander Smith College, 2010), Malcolm (Grambling State University, 2011), Timona (Jackson State University, 2009) and Toni (Fisk University, 2008) not only participated in the conference, but they got to visit Capitol Hill and witness our government in action as well.

According to Timona, meeting her OFA colleagues and networking with hundreds of students from HBCUs across the country were the most exciting parts of the conference. Malcolm said, “There are things that I learned here that I will remember for my whole life. I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity.”

A big thank you to Casey Family Programs for supporting their students not only in school but for extracurricular events such as this one.

Photo above: Students Toni and Malcolm (left), OFA’s Mary Imler (center) and students Jamal and Timona (right)

With all the “positive” and “uplifting” news being broadcast 24-7 on national TV these days, it’s hard to imagine a network whose sole mission is to highlight nonprofit organizations and promotes charitable causes worldwide. Yet the Utah-based Starfish Television Network does just that, providing worthy causes with the television outlet they desperately need to tell their stories and recognize their donors and sponsors. The Starfish Network offers free and affordable television airtime to nonprofit and charitable organizations so they can send their message out to a wide public.

OFA is pleased to announce that Starfish Network has added two of our videos into its programming mix: “Fostering Dreams - The OFA Care Package Program,” and “InternAmerica.” Starfish Network is available to subscribers to the Dish Network around the U.S. The company says its name and credo springs from the following story from popular wisdom:

The story is told of a man walking along a beach the morning after a storm had passed through. The sand was littered with starfish that had been washed ashore. Down the beach he noticed a young boy picking up starfish and throwing them into the water. As he approached, he asked what the boy was doing. The boy didn’t hesitate as he explained that the sun was coming up and it would kill the starfish if they didn’t get back into the ocean. The man laughed and said, “There are thousands of starfish on miles of beach, you can’t possibly make a difference.” As the boy picked up another starfish and threw it back into the ocean he said, “Well, it sure will make a difference to that one.”

For more information, visit the Starfish Network online.

Yesterday the OFA team participated in an extraordinary Valentine’s Day Care Package event at Freddie Mac. Well over 100 Freddie Mac employees volunteered to work in three shifts to get 2,500 care packages assembled and shipped out to OFA college students across the country. During each shift, we took a two-minute break to show a video giving volunteers a sense of connection with those who would actually be receiving and opening the care packages they had prepared.

Tremendous thanks are due to the event organizers: Marion Brunken of Freddie Mac; Danielle Brown and Renette Oklewicz of Freddie Mac Foundation; and Cyndie Lipari and Monique Duke of OFA. Here are some photos from the event:

Photo below: Freddie Mac Foundation Chairman Ralph Boyd addressing the gathering of employee volunteers.

Below, left to right: Marion Brunken (Freddie Mac), Monique Duke (OFA), Ralph Boyd, Renette Oklewicz (Freddie Mac Foundation), Cyndie Lipari (OFA), Doug Sprei (OFA)