- April 29, 2024
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1 Ohana's board members: Kristina Sanders, Lauren Sanders, Andreina Geallis and Katelyn Atkins. Photo by Alexis Miller
An overall view of the venue and attendants. Photo by Alexis Miller
A roulette and gambling chips on display. Photo by Alexis Miller
Kirsten Scherer and Justin Blankenship at the photo booth. Photo by Alexis Miller
Tamar Lester, Jetoya Mobley and Melissa Pitts decked out in their roaring 20's outfits. Photo by Alexis Miller
1 Ohana's preferred business group. Photo by Alexis Miller
The popcorn station hosted by The Popcorn Parlor Emporium. Photo by Alexis Miller
Anthony Valenti serving wines and mixed drinks. Photo by Alexis Miller
A few of many baskets used in the silent auction. Photo by Alexis Miller
Hillary Deininger and Fernanda Castillo running the check in booth. Photo by Alexis Miller
Dealers shuffling their cards getting prepared for their tables to open. Photo by Alexis Miller
Les Drinkwater, owner of Highrollers Casino Party Entertainment, dealing for the blackjack game. Photo by Alexis Miller
One of the blackjack tables in use. Photo by Alexis Miller
Lauren Sanders’ life changed forever in 2019 when she unexpectedly became a foster parent to her nephew.
Sanders had served as an Ormond Beach police officer for five years before leaving the force, but she wasn’t done helping the community. While caring for her nephew, the Ormond Beach resident decided to help more kids in the foster system, opening her home to 19 over the past four years. As she stockpiled items for the kids coming in and out of her home — formula, diapers, clothing, blankets — she wondered if other foster parents struggled with those needs, especially as the pandemic added additional strain. So in February 2021, she founded 1 Ohana 1 Community, a nonprofit that provides care items for foster children and parents.
1 Ohana’s first fundraiser, a roaring-’20s-themed casino night held on Aug. 19, raised $12,118.53. The silent auction at the event — hosted by Preferred Business Group and sponsored by S.R. Perrott and Brightway Insurance, The Lester Agency — drew more than 60 business donors, including Texas Roadhouse, Dave and Busters and Sky Zone.
The nonprofit specializes in care packages containing essentials and one or two comfort items to help children as they enter the foster system. Each care package is child-specific, based on the child’s age, gender and situation.
“The impact of letting the children know that there’s people that don’t know them that care about them, I know puts smiles on their faces,” Sanders said. “Because sometimes I drop the care packages off to them and the kids are overly excited because there’s stuff coming for them after such a traumatic time.”
Sanders thanked the nonprofit’s supporters.
“There were just so many generous businesses, and we wish they could all be recognized for giving back,” Sanders said. “We truly appreciate each and every one of our sponsors and donors. It felt amazing having such well-established businesses take a chance on us.”
Brandon Lester, Preferred Business Group’s vice president, said his company likes to support local nonprofits and businesses.
“As my company grows in the city, we want to find ways to give back, and our way is by working with nonprofits to try to help them grow and become financially stable, where they can continue doing what they want to do in the community," Lester said.
Kristina Sanders, executive director of 1 Ohana and Lauren Sanders' wife, said the nonprofit also accepts donations of gently used clothes and shoes and has an Amazon wishlist. She said she's seen the nonprofits' impact, both on the Sanders and on the families they've helped.
“1 Ohana has changed my life by allowing me to do something to better the community," Kristina Sanders said. "1 Ohana takes us into the worst times in a kid’s life, and we are able to bring a little bit of joy to them. We also alleviate some of the anxiety and worry for the foster parents when they get a new child."
