The Vision
Dear Friends,
DO-DADS became a vision back in 2004-2005. I was invited to participate in a basketball open gym for middle aged guys by Jim Fedge. I decided to go and there is where I met Ross Webber, Chris Picini, John Mackie, Howie Carpluk, Jerry O’Hara, Brad Howland, Ben Mojilaili and Mike Krause. Terence Healy, Brian McCarthy, Jeff Johnsen and Dave Dunning joined shortly thereafter. We would play a few games, work up a sweat, talk about various topics and call it a night. The main topic would always be our children. After going to a 5th grade father/daughter dance and seeing Howie, Ben and John there, I realize that most of the basketball crew were fathers and deeply involved with their kids. I imagined a team of dads participating in group activities with their children. I jotted down a few ideas, talked to a few people and it remained just an idea for 12-13 years.
The newly established 501©3, DO-DADS CLUB Inc, was formed with the intention to recruit a team of fathers and father figures to share quality experiences with children, families and each other. These experiences range from educational events to leisure and recreational activities. The goal being to provide children exposure to opportunities for growth, knowledge and camaraderie that otherwise might not be available to them. Our hope is to slow the pattern of decreasing paternal involvement as children grow older and to strengthen the relationship between parent and child as well as fill in the gaps with those children who do not have a father figure in their lives.
DO-DADS will engage all ages, genders, races, religions, cultures, occupations and views for the sake of children and each other. As the DO-DADS work together and share quality experiences, our desire is to encourage the children to learn, explore and visualize their future, while providing them and families with a support network.
DO-DADS is a work in progress. The calendar of events and activities will be generated by the combined interest of the children and the fathers/father figures. Museums, outdoor activities, sporting events, college tours, job shadowing are just a few of the experiences we hope to share with the children. Along with forming recreational teams of DO-DADS to engage in friendly competitions with local school and community organizations to raise awareness of our mission.
HOW CAN YOU BE A DO-DADS Supporter?
Our first IMMEDIATE goal is transportation to and from events. Stevens 112 Ford was gracious enough to not only join us in our cause, but to offer to donate a 15 passenger van if we raise enough support to purchase one through our fundraising efforts. If successful, this would provide transportation for up to 30 passengers. Please consider making a donation to help us reach our goals!
Securing support from our neighbors and local businesses is crucial for us to gain momentum and work toward pursuing county, state and federal funding. We have an obligation to invest in the future of our youth and DO-DADS is committed to positively impact their future.
Warmest regards,
Robert Powell