Warmth of Home: Celebrating Our Foster Families

Last week, we gathered for our 2026 Foster Parent Banquet, and enjoyed a fantastic evening together. This year’s theme, “Warmth of Home,” could not have been more fitting as we celebrated the foster families who open their hearts and homes to children in need every day.

We invited everyone to come dressed “comfy and cozy,” and our foster parents and staff fully embraced the theme. From cozy sweats to slippers and pajamas, the room felt relaxed, welcoming, and full of laughter from the moment guests arrived.

We kicked off the evening with a fun ice-breaker Bingo game that had foster parents and staff mingling around the room trying to find people who matched the descriptions on their cards. It was a great way to get conversations started and welcome some of our newer families and staff.

Dinner this year was a crowd favorite — breakfast for dinner! Families enjoyed a comforting meal together while catching up with one another and connecting with staff.

One of our favorite parts of the evening was our “Comfort Station.” Families were invited to fill a duffle bag with necessities and comfort items to keep on hand for children who may be placed in their homes. Thanks to the generosity of community donors, the station was stocked with toiletries, books, stuffed animals, blankets, diapers, towels, clothing, and more.

During the evening, Program Supervisor Sharon Holmes shared heartfelt remarks about the purpose behind the theme. Holding up a trash bag, she reminded everyone that many children enter foster care carrying their belongings in bags like these and often arrive feeling scared, uncertain, and overwhelmed. “When we call you and you take placement, we know that they will find a warm and welcoming home with our foster families,” Sharon shared. “You will become ‘their person’ who they lean on when they need that comfort.” She encouraged families to fill their duffle bags with items that could help provide comfort to children entering care and reminded everyone that even the smallest acts of kindness can help a child feel safe and cared for.

Agency Director Debbie Kiley also shared remarks during the evening, thanking foster parents for the vital role they play in caring for children in Medina County and for the compassion, stability, and love they provide to children and families every day.

To continue the “Warmth of Home” theme, each table featured a bouquet made of colorful socks, and everyone was invited to take home a pair as a reminder that every foster parent has the ability to become a “comfy, cozy” adult for a child in need — whether for a season or a lifetime.

Thanks to generous donations from our community, we were also able to send a gift basket home with every single foster family who attended the banquet. The baskets featured a variety of fun themes, including movie night, family game night, grilling, gardening, pampering, sundae bar, lottery cards, chocolate, picnic, coffee, taco night, and many more. Families had so much fun browsing the baskets, and we are incredibly thankful to everyone who donated items to help make the evening extra special.

We are especially grateful to Heartland Community Church's Friends for Foster Families team for providing childcare during the event so families could relax and enjoy the evening without worrying about childcare arrangements.

The evening also included a special recognition for longtime foster parent Jan Radachy, who is retiring after an incredible 47 years as a foster parent. Earlier this month, the Medina County Commissioners presented Jan with a proclamation honoring her years of dedication and service. We were honored to celebrate her and thank her for the countless lives she has impacted over the years.

We are so grateful for every foster parent, kinship caregiver, staff member, volunteer, church partner, and community donor who helped make this event possible. Thank you for providing the warmth of home to children and families when they need it most.