Nothing says "welcome" like opening the doors to your home and offering your guests refreshments and a home-cooked meal. That's exactly what 10 Cleveland families did on Friday, June 10, welcoming participants in the 2011 Teach For America Delta Institute to Cleveland and the Delta.
"Delta Hospitality Night" was the brainchild of Jo Parker and Ed Kossman, Jr., who came up with the idea after participating in Teach For America events last summer. "Ed and I were so impressed with Teach For America, and we wanted to come up with a way to make the participants feel at home in Cleveland," said Parker. "We thought it would be great to have 10 host families invite these young people into our homes for some great food and hospitality."
"We had more than enough eager volunteer families," continued Parker. "We asked each host family to invite three or more families to co-host with them. Each home had its own theme and served its own unique menu. Our guests were so gracious and fun and interesting to visit with."
According to Parker, the welcome may become an annual event. "The Chamber of Commerce was so supportive and we were able to put this together with six weeks of planning," she said. "We plan to get together and discuss this year's event and plan for next year. Everything was so fun and well received. It was such a pleasure, and we look forward to doing it again."
The Hosts and Hostesses listed below(host families in bold):
Homer and Joyce Sledge Jr. Allen and Ginger Pepper Janice and Johnny Arnold Mark and Ann Koonce Weegie Walker Homer and Susan Sledge III Bill and Debbie Powell Steve and Shelia Clark David and Marcia Walt Mike and Tracey Portner Freddie and Betty Johnson Mark and Terry Routman Mike and Nan Sanders Mike and Holly Sanders Jed and Amanda Turner Walton and Alice Denton Billy and Myrtis Tabb Buddy and Mary Jane Hemphill Steven and Tracey Craddock Alan and Cynthia Morgan Bill and Jo Parker Tom and Susan Wiggins Jim and Carolyn Goodman Phillip and Connie Ladner Bob and Wilma Wilbanks Bryan and Lynn Varner Corinne Cassanova Gerald and Beth Jacks Bob and Beverly Card Carol Tatum Will and Jamie Jacks Aaron and Mary McKay Lasker Steven and Kathy Clark Kent and Janice Wyatt Bob and Marilyn Ragan Caroline Gaines Don and Lee Aylward Henry and Brenda Outlaw Jim and Signe Adams Rachel Tate and Gregory Cole Jeremy and Amy Klein Billy and Becky Nowell Kirkham and Hilda Povall Paul and Lucy Janoush Scott and Cindy Coopwood H. L. and Judy Dilworth Bill and Emily Morris Rogers and Mary Helen Varner Will and Lisa Bradham Jamie and Jenny Smith Lee McCarty Paul Hankins Thanks for spreading your Southern Hospitality throughout the Teach For America Community. We have heard nothing but great things about each dinner party. They raved about how great the food was, how nice and accommodating everyone was, and how the Cleveland community has embraced them with open arms. Thanks again for showing them the Delta Way!
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