Cavs support for Grandparents Day

PHOTO BY /LOUIE MOORE

The Cleveland Cavaliers, a tireless advocate for community improvement and economic growth, has joined the many supporters for the annual Grandparents Family Day Picnic on Saturday July 28 from 11 a.m.-6p.m. at Luke Easter Park.

The event designed to bring families and communities together while enhancing family cohesiveness and community culture, also provides a bevy of network agencies including, but not limited to mentoring, counseling and social.

Many of the participating families have been strained out of the mainstream of life through poverty and various others such as socioeconomically, but their vibrant spirit and commitment to their families keep them going strong.

It is the goal of the Grandparents Family Day Picnic to continue to strengthen family and organizers believe that in order to strengthen and improve communities, they must start with the family first.

The picnic has proven to be a tremendous avenue to elevate that mission, with additional resources and information provided to the families and integrating those families strategically to obtain the goods and services they require.

According to a 2018 report released by Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services, in 2017 27% of the children in Cuyahoga County that were receiving services outside of the home had been placed with a family member. Often times that family member is a grandparent. Many of the grandparents that are now caring for their grandchildren were not expecting the new responsibility and are in need of community resources to ensure they are adequately providing for them.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson are the honorary chairs, while councilmembers Kevin Conwell, Phyllis Cleveland, Cordell Stokes and Al Grimes are the co-chairs for the 2018 event. Call & Post Executive Director, Minister Dale Edwards is among the chief organizers of the event along with longtime community advocate Louie Moore.

Participants will be treated to a day of fun, food and games for both adults and children.

For the Cavaliers, supporting Grandparents Family Day comes on the heels of the Cavs and the City of Cleveland refurbishing their third basketball court on Monday July 16th, hosted by Cavs in-arena host Ahmaad. Cavs CEO Len Komoroski and Mayor Frank Jackson addressed the crowd, and were joined by several Cavs legends and President Nic Barlage.