The Second Annual Community Extravaganza: Play, Connect, Thrive once again proved that when a community comes together with intention, good things happen. This year’s event built on the momentum of last year’s gathering and deepened the connections that make Putnam County such a special place to serve.
Last year, we shared about our experience at the Community Extravaganza and how meaningful it was to simply be present—listening, connecting, and building relationships. This year, that impact grew. As an exhibitor, we had the opportunity not only to reconnect with familiar faces but also to share more intentionally about our expanding work through Project1Home, our national initiative, alongside the local support we provide through CarePortal.
Events like this matter. They create space to talk about real needs in real ways. They allow conversations to move beyond statistics and into stories—stories of families, children, and neighbors who need support. The Community Extravaganza continues to be a powerful place to raise awareness about foster care, meet new friends, and connect with other vendors and organizations whose missions overlap with ours. Collaboration thrives when people gather face to face.
Here in Putnam County, Florida, there are currently 115 children in foster care. When viewed through a per-capita lens, that number is strikingly high compared to Florida’s other 67 counties. Many children enter foster care due to neglect rooted in poverty or substance abuse. Rural communities are not exempt from these challenges; in many cases, they reflect them in deeply personal ways. What we see locally is not an anomaly—it’s a call to action.
While Project1Home experienced significant growth nationally in 2025 and continues to expand as the new year unfolds, our heart remains grounded right here at home. Our roots in foster care are firmly planted in Putnam County. This is our Jerusalem. And it needs support now as much as it ever has.
We are incredibly grateful for the many individuals, churches, partners, and community members who have come alongside us in this mission. Because of your support, more children are finding stability, more families are receiving help before crisis hits, and more pathways toward healing are being created.
The Community Extravaganza reminded us once again that meaningful change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people show up, play together, connect deeply, and commit to helping one another thrive. We’re honored to be part of that story—and thankful for everyone walking this journey with us.