Good afternoon, everyone.
Thank you, Kim, Mike, Kippy, Amy, Bonnie, Amy, and Michael, for your kind words! And thank you to the Event Committee for planning this gathering on my behalf.
As I prepare to step away from my role at Crayons to Classrooms, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey it has been—and the many people who have made it so meaningful.
First and foremost, I want to thank my family. You have been my constant source of strength and support. Your patience, love, and understanding—especially during board meeting time—have meant everything to me. I could not have done this without you.
To my friends, thank you for encouraging me, cheering me on, and keeping me grounded through the years. Your belief in me and in this mission has lifted me more times than I can count.
To our dedicated staff—past and present—you are the heart of C2C. Your passion, creativity, and commitment to serving teachers and students have been a daily inspiration. You’ve gone above and beyond, not just to get supplies into classrooms, but to do so with care and dignity for every educator who walks through our doors. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together. And what I will miss most are the daily interactions with you . . . talking about the great donation we just received; strategizing and solving the problem of the day; or just talking.
To our board members—past and present—thank you for your leadership, your vision, and your trust. Your guidance has helped shape this organization into what it is today. You’ve given your time, your talents, and your hearts, and I’m grateful for the partnership we’ve shared.
To our donors and community partners—especially The Dayton Foundation, Mathile Family Foundation, and Goodwill—your generosity has powered our mission. Because of you, thousands of students across Dayton have had the tools they need to learn, to dream, and to succeed. Your belief in educational equity has made a lasting impact—and I thank you for walking this path with us.
To our volunteers—you are the hands and feet of this mission. Whether you’ve sorted supplies, stocked shelves, or helped teachers shop, your spirit of service has brought energy and joy to our work. Thank you for showing up, time and again, with open hearts and willing hands.
And finally, to the teachers—thank you for all you do. You are the reason Crayons to Classrooms exists. Your resilience, your compassion, and your devotion to your students inspire us. It has been an honor to serve you.
There is another person that does not fit into the previous categories, but nonetheless has helped me in significant ways over the years and has made a substantial contribution to C2C as a third-party consultant and I would like to acknowledge his work.
Dave Ramey has been involved with the organization by providing direction and strategic planning from day one till today. His work includes our original business plan and feasibility study, multiple strategic plans, multiple project plans, and most recently, our leadership succession plan. Thank you, Dave.
As I look back, what I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come. From those early startup days, with more passion than resources, to the thriving, impactful organization we are today—it’s been nothing short of remarkable. We weathered the challenges of the COVID shutdown and came out stronger, thanks to the determination of this team and the unwavering support of our community. And I leave knowing the future is in good hands, thanks to the thoughtful succession plan developed with our board over two years ago. That plan ensures the continuity of our mission and the strength of our leadership well into the future. I have no doubt that Amy will do a fabulous job as Executive Director.
As I move into this next chapter, I do so with tremendous pride in what we’ve built together—and with great hope for all that lies ahead for this organization, including a new feasibility study to evaluate the Columbus market for future growth opportunities. They won’t let me go, so I guess I will be involved in that project as a consultant!
So, thank you for the memories, the relationships, and the impact we’ve made—together.
As the staff has heard me say many times over the years . . . the juice has definitely been worth the squeeze!
With deepest gratitude,
Steve
Retirement party speech remarks – Steve Rubenstein
Founder and Executive Director, Crayons to Classrooms
