Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner

CCS understands that the sacrifices and contributions made by our foster parents for our children are essential and invaluable.  We can never express our thanks enough.

Our family consultant, Chantale, with a few of our wonderful foster parents

In an effort to show our gratitude, we held a benefit and appreciation dinner in honor of our foster parents on Sunday, September 15th.  The event took place at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille in Flowery Branch with approximately 100 people in attendance.  Our guests enjoyed one of the last warm evenings of summer as they mingled under a tent by Lake Lanier and savored a delicious dinner buffet and drinks donated by Dale and Jessica Ozaki, the gracious owners of Fish Tales Lakeside Grille.  The Fish Tales staff embodied true southern hospitality with their smiling faces and attentive service.  Don Law performed his heartfelt music throughout the night, adding to the revelry of the evening.  As part of the festivities, our guests participated in a silent auction full of exciting gifts, which allowed us to raise funds for our programs.

Thank you Fish Tales for hosting us!

While the parents celebrated on the lake, their foster children had a fun filled night with eight of our DD staff.  The evening started at the CCS office in Norcross, where they feasted on pizza, played video games, and danced to music.  Then they caught a movie at Ventura Cinema in Duluth and returned to their foster parents by 9 pm.

(From left to right) Mary Lott (a foster parent), Sally Buchanan (our founder & CEO), Tracy Joachim (a former foster parent), and Dale and Jessica Ozaki (the owners of Fish Tales)

The dinner was a success because of the support we received from our community.  CCS would like to extend a special thanks for the contributions we received from Dale and Jessica Ozaki, the Fish Tales staff, and the donors of our silent auction:                       – Studio 93 Salon, Marcia Dykes                                                                                              – Edelman Leather                                                                                                                  – Soho Myriad                                                                                                                           – Judy Williams of Premier Design Jewelry                                                                              – Epic Family Life Center, Executive Director Stephanie Wolfe                                              – Elizabetsy: homemade crafted baby gift items                                                                      – Whole Foods                                                                                                                          – Quik Trip                                                                                                                                – Blue Moose Chocolates, Carol Moses                                                                                  – Canoe Restaurant, Owner Ginair McKerrow.                                                                  We would also like to thank our own Paula Fine for organizing the event, our DD staff and interns who provided childcare, and everyone who showed their support by attending the dinner.  We deeply appreciate your willingness to help us celebrate our foster parents.