On October 21, Fuse Project partnered with Florence Howard Elementary School (FHES) to host its first-ever Parenting Day, and it was an overwhelming success! The day was filled with valuable resources, community support, and a festive atmosphere for over 100 families.

The day kicked off with a well-organized resource fair, where FHES parents had the opportunity to connect with a variety of partners. Hancock Whitney Bank and Bishop State had representatives on hand to offer valuable insights and information. USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital representatives - Courtney Thomson, RNC-NIC, Pediatric Outreach Education Coordinator and Ashley Castillow, Behavioral Health Coordinator - also set up a table to educate families about gun lock safety and suicide awareness, both important topics for community safety.

A huge thank you goes to our generous sponsors: Foosackly’s (Dauphin Street location), and Margaret Reid & Elise Wick, representatives from Hancock Whitney Bank, for sponsoring the picnic lunch. The Breakfast Spot also made a generous donation, providing five $30 gift cards for parent giveaways. These contributions helped make the event a memorable one for everyone involved.

Throughout the day, families were treated to delicious food and live music by local musician Bronson Webb, who also performed at Fuse Project’s Lip Sync Battle earlier this year. The festive picnic atmosphere created a great opportunity for parents and their children to enjoy a day of connection, education, and fun.

Our Order of Fuse members, along with a few parent volunteers, played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly, helping serve lunch, and making sure every parent felt welcomed and appreciated. Volunteers Cecily Harper, Molly Middleton, Margaret Carey, Danielle Holland, Yanick Rankin, and Jatavia Powe were invaluable in making the event run seamlessly.

Florence Howard Elementary School posted about the success of the event on Facebook. 

We look forward to continuing our partnership with FHES and supporting future events like this one to bring valuable resources and support to the Avenue community!