Professional Services in Worthington

Each year, nearly 3,000 families with hospitalized, seriously ill children stay at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, the second largest in the world. Located directly across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the House provides a comfortable respite for families just steps away from a hospitalized child. Family members can stay in one of 80 guest rooms or 10 continuing-care suites while their children are hospitalized. In addition to a dedicated volunteer staff, amenities include private rooms and baths, fully equipped kitchens with dining areas, plus laundry, meditation, and exercise rooms. Although guests are asked to donate $20 per night, no families are ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Each night, the estimated cost of housing a family is $100, and housing costs are largely funded by community donations and fundraising efforts.

Publisher Emeritus of CIO magazine Gary Beach founded Tech Corps in 1995 to build technology infrastructures in public schools. Since its inception, it has organized more than 10,000 volunteers to help institute new technology in K–12 schools. Programs including a computer grant, afterschool clubs, and a summer Techie Camp provide youth with access to technological resources and train them in modern skills that will help make them competitive in the workforce. Techie Camp and Techie Club immerse elementary- and middle-school students in hands-on curricula that teaches them to build or work with Lego Mindstorms NXT robots, expanding their knowledge of topics related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Community Shelter Board (CSB) combats homelessness in Franklin County by working to identify and help solve the root problems that serve as barriers to securing stable housing. More than 8,000 adults and children facing homelessness each year seek assistance from the organization's emergency shelters, housing services, and supportive housing, and the organization doesn't turn away those requesting boarding. In addition to providing emergency shelter for adults and children in need, the organization provides free access to advocates, case managers, utilities, and supplies.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) represents Ohio's 12 food banks and its food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. Through its Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program, OASHF purchases surplus produce and other agricultural products from local farmers and growers and distributes the fresh fruit and vegetables to families in need through its emergency food-assistance network. Additionally, through the Ohio Food Purchase Program, OASHF purchases protein-packed food—items that are typically more expensive and rare in local food drives—at significantly reduced rates, helping to ensure the families it serves receives nutritious, balanced meals.

The American Community Gardening Association strives to increase and enhance community gardening and greening across the United States and Canada. Its binational network of professionals, volunteers, and supporters of community greening help promote and support all aspects of community gardening, urban forestry, and preservation of open spaces. The association supplies community groups and schools with information and education to boost children's interest in fruits and vegetables and increase their relationship with nature, recognizing that community gardens work to stimulate social interaction, beautify, and promote sustainability.

Eleven years ago, Randy Elkins and Chris Ratchford pooled their collective video expertise to open Keepsake Solutions, and today their staff continues to transfer outdated media to future-friendly formats. Services include video transfers, in which up to two hours of taped sports games or home movies emerge from their old-format cocoons as beautiful DVD butterflies or powerful DVD velociraptors.

Photo-to-DVD transfers and slide scanning keep memories alive with a modern format and user-friendly layout, and video-editing services boost school presentations, demo reels, and company instructional videos, relying on programs such as Final Cut Pro, Encore, and an industry-specific version of Minesweeper.