Giving Back: Springhouse Architects' Culture of Community Service
At Springhouse, we believe in playing an active part in our community. Everyone on our team is encouraged to not only serve as architects, but wherever we feel drawn to make a difference. In 2019, we’ve added yet another opportunity to make a positive impact on our community via the Dayton chapter of the Flashes of Hope charity organization.
Springhouse Architects Founder and Principal Architect Sheri Scott helped to found this local chapter. We sat down with her for a Q&A to share her story and impact the Dayton chapter has made so far.
Q: Why Flashes of Hope? What is your motivation to start a chapter?
Sheri: I have always been a volunteer. For many years, I volunteered for many kid’s activities and programs. Now that my children are grown, I was looking for a new place to volunteer my time and talents. Kelly, a close friend of mine, is a professional photographer. She was trying to volunteer for the Flashes of Hope Cincinnati Childrens’ chapter. Unfortunately, they were fully booked with volunteer photographers for the entire year. She asked about the Dayton Childrens’ chapter and found out that one didn’t exist. After researching it, she learned that one of the requirements includes co-directors for each chapter. She asked me to be her co-director, and I was excited to help!
Q: What do you want to achieve with Flashes of Hope?
Sheri: We have all had that feeling of not knowing how to help. This organization creates an opportunity to help families of children with cancer and other terminal illnesses. Flashes of Hope sets up events where professional photographers and makeup artists volunteer their time and talents to photograph child patients and their families.
From Flashes of Hope:
Every year, we provide free portrait packages to 5,000 children in 55 cities across the country. Each family is presented with framed enlargements, proofs, and a digital photo gallery of all the images. The portraits help the children see themselves in a new light. The photos are not of sick kids, but of strong and beautiful children filled with hope.
Q: How many Flashes of Hope events have the Dayton chapter held so far?
Sheri: We started with our first event on August 3, 2019. We have had two additional events since then and have four events already scheduled for 2020. It’s exciting that we have already served over 30 families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.
Q: How has the experience been so far? Any moments you’d like to share?
Sheri: The entire process is incredibly fulfilling for all of the volunteers too. Upon arriving at Dayton Children’s Hospital, we are always greeted warmly by the nurses and Child Life staff. They are so invested in all of these families’ lives. Event days are filled with grateful volunteers, staff, and families.
At our third event, we had the opportunity to photograph a little 5-year-old boy with his sister. The mom had tears in her eyes and told us that she just realized she had never taken the time to get portraits of the kids. These families are busy just like everyone else. When they add in doctor visits, therapy schedules, and hospital stays - photography is often the last thing on their mind.
Shortly after our second event in October we received a message from the Child Life staff that one of the patients that we photographed had unexpectedly passed away. The family did not have any photos and asked if we could expedite the printing so they could have the family portrait available for the funeral. This experience served to cement the fact that we are helping these families in a way that makes a difference.
We look forward to making positive impacts in more lives with our Flashes of Hope events in 2020. In addition to this charity, the Springhouse Architects’ team can be found participating in the Women Entrepreneur Panel, the Springboro Schools Business Advisory Council, speaking at Lunch and Learn events, attending the Home Builders Association of Cincinnati Roundtable and Springboro Chamber of Commerce meetings, and engaging with students at the Career Fair for Springboro City Schools. Springhouse Architects appreciates giving back in ways that bring value and positive action.
Interested in learning more about the Dayton chapter of Flashes of Hope or applying to be a volunteer? Visit the website: https://flashesofhope.org/chapters/dayton.