This year’s annual July 4th celebration was truly one for the books! We had the joy of welcoming our clients, foster families, and staff families for a day packed with fun, food, and community.

Our new, larger waterslide was the star of the show — a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike, keeping everyone cool and smiling all day long. The spread didn’t disappoint either, with delicious subs, cookies, and a visit from Pop Pop’s Italian Ice Truck.

But the heart of this celebration goes deeper than the fun and festivities. Years ago, we began this tradition with a special purpose in mind: to help our clients build positive connections with First Responders. For many of the individuals we serve, encounters with First Responders have been tied to some of the most difficult moments of their lives. By bringing everyone together in a safe, joyful setting, we’re helping to rewrite that narrative — one celebration at a time. We are always hopeful that First Responders will join us, and we deeply appreciate their willingness to participate. However, we also understand that emergencies don’t take holidays, and their duty to the community must always come first.