By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Between 50 to 60 children in foster care were entertained at the fourth annual “Try-A-Kayak” event held Sunday, July 7, at the Izaak Walton League, outside of Geneseo.

“Just another example of Divine Intervention,” was how Lola Rahn answered when asked how the first “Try-A-Kayak” event for foster kids happened in 2021.

She said, “I had wanted to offer an opportunity for kids in care to Kayak for awhile. I was thinking of doing something at Giant Goose, but we have only three kayaks.”

She received a message from a foster parent, Tim Eastman of East Moline, asking if Foster Hope would be interested in hosting a “Try-A-Kayak” event for foster kids…He has 20 kayaks!” Rahn said.

Eastman continues to assist with the event each year by managing the activities on the water, including providing the kayaks and life jackets.

The event has grown each year and this year lunch, donated by Geneseo Fareway, was served to the foster children and foster parents.

In addition, ice cream sundaes were served and the day included additional activities from face painting and fishing supervised by volunteers from the Izaak Walton League, to yard games and therapy dogs from Legacy Therapy Dogs of the Quad Cities.

Foster hope also presented each child with a beach towel, sun screen, book bag, an insulated lunch box, sandals and flip flops.

“God is good!” Rahn said. “He continually blesses Foster Hope.”

Rahn, who with her husband, Ryan Rahn, founded Foster Hope in April of 2017, when they opened space at 107 South State St. in Atkinson, in the former Atkinson Grade School building, which is where foster parent training classes are held and where items needed by foster families are collected and distributed.

Foster Hope is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that supports foster families in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. They rely on donations and sponsors for the many events and activities held for foster care families. For more information, email fosterhopeqc@gmail.com.

Foster Hope currently serves families in Henry, Rock Island, Mercer and Whiteside counties.

Rahn said. “Our services are available to families licensed through Bethany for Children & Families, Center for Youth & Family Services, DCFS and Lutheran Social Services.”

In addition to the foster training classes, Foster Hope offers clothes (sizes newborn to 12/14), diapers, infant equipment and other items needed by children when placed in foster care.

“We also host four annual events for families – Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner, Foster Parent’s Night Out, Celebration of Families Picnic and ‘Shopping for Siblings’ and the Try-A-Kayak activity is now our fifth annual event,” Rahn said.

Another activity, Toddler Tuesdays, is now offered in the winter months when the youngsters and foster parents can come to a play time in the school gym…”And we continue to add more activities,” Rahn said.