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A Birthday Request

Update: Forest Ridge Community Center Fundraiser - Here is how to donate: You can come by tonight and attend or leave a donation.  If you would like to send a donation by check, make check payable to Enterprise Homes, Inc. and mail to Rena Ross, Forest Ridge Manager, 5890 Stevens Forest Road, Management Office, Columbia, MD  21045



So, today is my birthday. I know you probably want to help me celebrate. So, here's a suggestion.

Forest Ridge Community Based Learning Center
Fundraiser at The Other Barn
Thursday, March 23, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
An invitation to the Oakland Mills Community  - Please join us for a Fundraiser at The Other Barn to support the children at Forest Ridge Apartments who attend  
the Forest Ridge Community Based Learning Center.

Due to budget cuts that are directly influencing the Howard County Public School System, the Community Based Learning Centers have lost a lot of the financial support they previously obtained. This weakens the prepared weekly lessons centers hold on healthy lifestyle, since they can't even afford to provide examples of healthy affordable foods. The Community Based Learning Centers are taking it upon themselves to raise the necessary funds in order to keep their centers alive. They are also working to collect the necessary donations in order to keep the quality of their centers high.
We hope that this fundraiser will help bring in a substantial amount of funds in order to keep the Forest Ridge Community Based Learning Center up and running, while still upholding its high standard. We also hope that the presentation the students will put on for the community will remind everyone the benefits of these Community Based Learning Centers and their necessity. We know it takes a village to raise a child, and if you take away the unity and safe space the community has, then raising these students to reach their highest potential becomes even more difficult than society has already made it.
This fundraiser is not only critical to save the Forest Ridge Community Based Learning Center, but it is here to save the Forest Ridge Summer Enrichment Program. To run a success program, funding is needed, and opportunities should not be denied to children simply off of limited financing.
Understanding Your Past to know your Future
The students of the Forest Ridge Community Based Learning Center researched their family's history during Black History Month. They then reflected on their own goals and compared their opportunities and circumstances to those before them. The students also shared how the Community Based Learning Center has helped them explore these ambitions while reinforcing positive skills for success academically and beyond. All the information will be put together in a presentation and all those who attend this event can learn more about our students through a gallery walk. After the gallery walk, dinner will be served and great music will be played, so come on out and enjoy the event!
Date: March 23, 2017
Time: 6 - 8pm 
Cost: $7
Place: The Other Barn 5851 Robert Oliver Place Columbia MD 21045
Donations are welcome.  

I learned about this program when I visited Forest Ridge Apartments when I was running for CA rep in Oakland Mills. The director of the program, Sharon Fulton, told us about an upcoming event that the children were preparing. She was passionate about the students and what they were doing. Her commitment and enthusiasm were impressive.

If you don't have dinner plans tonight, or if you just want to stop by and make a donation, that would be awesome. I'm trying to find a way that you can mail a check and/or click and donate. This would be a great place to invest in the future of our kids.

And it makes a lovely birthday gift, too.

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