Father-focused nonprofit to celebrate decade of service in Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A leading nonprofit in the Show-Me state is celebrating 10 years of responsible fatherhood efforts this October.
The city of Springfield, Missouri, is set to host a large fundraising dinner and celebration Oct. 16 for Good Dads, Inc, a growing nonprofit organization that aims to assist kids and communities by facilitating responsible fatherhood programs, healthy relationships classes, community development efforts and events.
The theme for this year's event is Gather ‘Round the Campfire: Fanning the Flames of Fatherhood. Leveraging the cozy nostalgia of roasting marshmallows with Dad during a fall camping trip, Attendees will discover how Good Dads is spreading like wildfire by sharing impactful stories about lives changed.
“We chose the campfire theme because it is a very apt representation of what we’ve experienced as champions of responsible fatherhood,” said Jennifer L. Baker, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and the Founder and Director of Good Dads. “When we started 10 years ago, we only served a small portion of Springfield, but now we have Good Dads chapters now in nearly 20 Missouri communities. Just like a spark that catches and grows into a wildfire, Good Dads is experiencing incredible momentum.”
The event is scheduled to take place at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center Ballroom with cocktails and games beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the full program at 6:30 p.m. Funds raised will go directly back to the mission, allowing Good Dads to continue expanding into more communities, serving more fathers and strengthening more families.
“This year at the dinner, I’m most excited to celebrate our Great Community of the Year contest winners,” Baker said. “Because we believe that fatherhood engagement is, first and foremost, a community-based effort, we knew it was important to recognize the communities in the Show-Me state who banded together, often overcoming many challenges, to bring these programs to their residents.”
The contest encouraged leaders in Good Dads chapters to demonstrate their achievements in Good Dads’ four Great Community pillars: strong schools, robust economies, flourishing relationships and safe neighborhoods.
Three winners: Good Dads chapters in Ava, Rolla and Texas County, were announced this spring.
“What’s remarkable about the work we do is that anyone can get on board with it,” Baker said. “Any community, regardless of its size, can make great strides to better serve the fathers and father-figures who live there. That’s why it’s so important to me that we show the community accomplishments happening throughout Missouri for dads.”
Good Dads serves nearly two dozen communities and 17 chapters throughout the state. The nonprofit hopes to expand its footprint beyond Missouri soon.
The registration-only event is expected to see more than 300 guests. Attendees can look forward to music, food and games all while making a difference for the nonprofit.
