Each of you reading this knows us here at W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. Or maybe you have stumbled upon us and are meeting us for the first time. Either way, it is each of you, through your generous support that have helped the dream of a special dog for every child challenged by a disability come true for 13 years...and counting. And for that we thank you.

Thanksgiving is a time of great reflection for us here at Working Animals Giving Service for Kids as we take stock of all that we have accomplished and all that we still have yet to do. It is when we open our hearts to the feedback of our families already served to try better ourselves, however possible. It is also when we give thanks. We give thanks for every "good karma" moment that has come in the last 12 months. Starting with the Cleveland Plain Dealer whose front page feature story published on Christmas Day 2016 brought us Leona Osrin, The 100+ Women Who Care of Cleveland and so many more kind souls. We give thanks to Meg Sherban & her students at Lee Burneson Middle School as well as Allie Pines for being amazing Kids Who Can! With Sally Barber joining our ranks, we are excited to continue teaching that all-important lesson of philanthropy and empowerment to all (y)our Kids Who Can!

We want to thank every volunteer, every donor, every sponsor, every partner - whether you stuck a dollar in a donation box once, bought a ticket to an event, donated in-kind, busted your butt right along side us or sponsored the whole darn thing! I wish I could thank you all here. You are heroes to us, and you are friends. I will ask our readers to please visit our partners & support local! "Thanks" is such a small word, I sometimes wonder if its impact is felt. I hope it is, because the emotion behind the word runs deep.

In this past year, and because of your support, we have expanded our service area and are now able to serve families and children in 22 counties across Northeast and Central Ohio. On behalf of Wendy, Lisa, Josh, Rodney, Carrie and I - we feel SO blessed to be able to do what we do every day. To the families still waiting - we promise to keep advocating for you. To our supporters - please stick with us - 2018 will be bigger and better so STAY TUNED! We look ahead and know that without more dogs, more trainers and more financial support for training tools, medical expenses and puppy acquisition; we will soon be telling families that the wait time for a service dog partner for a child is 2 years or more. Today, please look ahead with us and support all the children who are waiting. The kids have found us...they need us, they need you...and they are waiting.

Wishing You All A Joyful Thanksgiving, From Our Family To Yours!

Sincerely,

Sera Nelson

Director of Development & Special Events

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids

As a Thankful Thanksgiving Finale Special, click below for a look back at 13 years of lives changed...because of you: