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When people ask how I got involved with Foster Village Northeast KS, I tell them: it started on an airplane.

It was early 2023, and I was moving back to Kansas from Chicago. My word for the year was “community,” and on that flight, I ended up sitting next to a woman writing a book about building meaningful community. We got to talking, and when I mentioned I had an interest in foster care, she encouraged me to get involved locally. I pulled out my phone and found Foster Village. She looked at the website and said, “That sounds perfect for you.”

It was one of those rare, life-defining moments. A few months later, once I was settled, I reached out to Foster Village through the website. One of the co-founders Jenny invited me to help at a Caregiver Night Out event to observe, and I thought it was magic. The way the room was filled with support, joy and connection. It was so cool. 

Over coffee a few days later, Jenny asked if I’d be interested in helping with social media for Foster Village. I said yes. And I’ve been showing up ever since.

Today, I serve as our Strategic Development Coordinator. What that means is that I help shape the way our community supports Foster Village. I think a lot about how to make our fundraising efforts more intentional and sustainable. I work on impact reports that show donors exactly where their dollars go, and I help create opportunities for people to give in ways that are meaningful to them.

I don’t just want to raise money. I want to help people feel connected to the work we’re doing to the families we serve and the village we’re building together.

I want to help people feel connected to the work we’re doing to the families we serve and the village we’re building together.

July is one of our favorite times of the year at Foster Village because it’s lemonade stand season and our biggest grassroots fundraiser of the year. The “Growing the Village Is Sweet” campaign invites families, businesses, churches and individuals all across Northeast Kansas to host lemonade stands or sell lemon-themed products, raising money and awareness for kids and caregivers experiencing foster care. 

What I love most about the lemonade fundraiser is that it brings people into the fold. It’s not just about raising money, it’s about starting conversations. When families set up a stand together, it opens the door for early, age-appropriate conversations about foster care. Opportunities like that don’t come along often for parents. We even include talking points in our stand kits to make that easier. 

When families set up a stand together, it opens the door for early, age-appropriate conversations about foster care.

If you’re wondering how to get involved in the fundraiser, here are a few ways:

• Host a lemonade stand with your kids, your friends, your church group, anyone! We’ll send you a kit with everything you need. (Request your kit)
• Visit a stand in your neighborhood or donate online. (We have a dollar-for-dollar match for online donations this year, up to $2,000.)
• Support a local business offering lemon-themed items. A portion of proceeds go back to Foster Village. Learn more. (And stay tuned for our local business map!) 
• Spread the word. Bring a friend, share a post, or just start a conversation. You never know who might want to get involved once they know more.

One conversation on an airplane changed my life. And one cup of lemonade could change yours. 

So bring a friend. Host a stand. Spread the word. Let’s make life a little sweeter and more connected for our community.