Love is in the Air!

 We had a great turnout for our 5th Annual Legacy of Love Banquet.

February is traditionally celebrated as Healthy Marriage Month throughout our nation as a way to acknowledge the importance of the commitment that marriage represents in forming the foundation of healthy communities, healthy children, and healthy families.

  On the evening of February 23rd TOP honored seven couples that exemplified healthy marriages.

There were many submissions for this prestigious honor. Nominations by family members or friends consisted of answering questions and a short essay on why that particular couple should be honored.

  The couples that were selected shared their stories of how they met, their hardships, and some of their fondest memories from their journey through marriage.

The way they portray love to each other and the family and friends that surround them speaks for itself of why they were chosen for their display of what healthy marriages should looks like.


 Here are the honored couples for 2012:

Mr. & Mrs. Alexander

Mr. & Mrs. Clements

Mr. & Mrs. Holmes

Mr. & Mrs. Lyles

Mr. & Mrs. Magnen

Mr. & Mrs. Watts

Mr. & Mrs. Williams

A BIG thank you from everyone at Tuscaloosa's One Place to everyone who made this evening a success. We couldn't have done it without you!

Doing What Matters

On January 31, 2012 we hosted the "Doing What Matters for Tuscaloosa's Children" conference. We had a record number of over 300 participants and feel that the conference was a great success! We had a number of speakers who shared with participants about a variety of things ranging from teen issues, bullying and social media, finances, immigration issues, and several others. It was a wonderful day and we are so grateful to all those who participated!

Here are a few pictures from the event:


We would like to give a special thanks to all those who made this event possible including our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and planning committee. Also, thank you to Central High School ROTC for presenting the colors. This even would not have been possible without all of you!

Holiday Heart

Holiday Heart is helping children all over Tuscaloosa receive a beautiful Christmas this year. Last year we were able to help approximately 150 children and this year we are hoping to far exceed this number!

ALL FOR ONE

It's time for TOP's annual Fall Festival!!!!!!  This is going to be a great event!!!!!!

Hands on Tuscaloosa "Fun Day!"

On August 27, 2011 Hands on Tuscaloosa, a volunteer initiative held by the University of Alabama’s Community Service Center, sponsored Fun Day at Tuscaloosa’s One Place! This event was held for the community to give families who were affected by the April 27 storm a Fun Day together. Children enjoyed several games including sack race, football toss, hat making, musical chairs, etc….

Food was provided as well as face painting and many other activities for the children. The University of Alabama’s radio station, 90.7FM WVUA, had a live remote on site with great music !

Hands on Tuscaloosa works with non-profit agencies to help serve the community’s needs. This initiative was developed to give UA students the opportunity to continue helping neighbors in the community. Over 60 volunteers lead games and handed out food at Fun Day!!!!! Hands on Tuscaloosa did a great job organizing and hosting this event. Thank you to everyone who participated! Together WE are continuing to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community!!!

Samantha Rayburn

School Supplies!!!!!

In the aftermath of the April 27th tornado, many entities formed a partnership with the goal of providing Tuscaloosa City and County students with backpacks and school supplies. Tuscaloosa’s One Place, Tuscaloosa’s Promise and the Children’s Policy Council joined forces with Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa County Schools, ABC123, Tuscaloosa Life Church, The Salvation Army, University Mall and Citadel Broadcasting to form the Tuscaloosa Backpack Coalition.

 

Many churches, agencies and community members throughout our area donated time, efforts and supplies to the drive. The backpack distribution was held on July 30th at seven sites across Tuscaloosa. This day consisted of games, food and fun for the children and parents. The coalition was able to provide about 1,500 students with supplies.

 

University Church of Christ adopted Alberta Elementary and every child received supplies and a backpack. The coalition wrote a grant to the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund to supply children at University Place Elementary, University Place Middle and County School students impacted by the April tornado with their supplies. World Vision adopted Holt Elementary, Holt High, Cottondale Elementary and David-Emerson Middle. This organization provided the students at each of those schools with their supplies and backpack. Sean Wrench, Founder of the Forsaken Generation Project contacted Staples who donated supplies through their Staples for Students Program.

Tuscaloosa has been very blessed by the outpouring of generosity in this time of need from all over the country. We appreciate everyone’s time and energy to make sure the children of Tuscaloosa start back to school with everything they need to succeed this year!!!!

New Member of the TOP Family

TOP Assistant Director, Bob McKinney, welcomed a brand new addition to the McKinney Family on July 28! 

Introducing, William McKinney!!!!

8lbs. 2oz and 19 1/2 inches long!