Over 300 attendees are expected at the Fathers’ Support Center’s (FSC) annual “A Toast to Fathers” dinner taking place next Thursday (June 12) at Windows on Washington, 1601 Washington Ave. FOX 2 reporter, Bonita Cornute, will emcee the event. Dinner Chair Timothy Slater said the event will likely sell out. Slater serves as New Horizons president and a member of the FSC Board of Directors. The problem of non-involved fathers is destructive, Slater said.
“FSC is the only organization in St. Louis; and one of only a few nationally, that has successfully provided programs and services to improve the lives of children by giving them actively involved fathers,” Slater said.
The annual dinner educates St. Louis about the impact FSC has within the community, recognizes individual accomplishments and provides an important source of income for FSC, Slater said. Last year’s dinner netted $97,000 for the agency. Ron and Cheri Fromm will be honored as this year’s Community Champions in recognition of their extensive community service. Ron Fromm is the former CEO of Brown Shoe Co.
The Fromms co-chaired the 2013 United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign and are active in supporting several local charities. He called Fathers’ Support Center, which is a United Way agency, a model for the United Way’s commitment to “giving a hand up versus giving a hand out.”
Marvin Davis will receive this year’s Father of the Year Award. FSC staff member Stephen Knapp told The American that the Father of the Year selection process changed this year. After the three nominees were chosen, the public was asked to vote via the FSC’s website for who they thought should win Father of the Year.
As a Father of the Year perk, Davis will throw out the first pitch at an upcoming Cardinals home game – and he is confident that he will throw better than rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
“I can’t believe he did that,” Davis said.
Davis was referred to FSC by a friend back in 2011. He credits the program with teaching him how to be a better father on many levels — from how to discipline, to how to develop a friendship with his child, to how to talk “to” and not “at” his son. His social worker FSC staff member Barbara Graham was understanding, encouraging, and “never let up on me,” Davis said. FSC staff member Reginald Slaughter also left an impression on Davis.
Davis said, “When he instructed the class, he didn’t play. He was almost like a drill sergeant. As a single father, he was a good role model to me.”
Davis has full custody of his 12-year-old son, Markel. He wants to ensure that his son has a better relationship with his parent than he had with his parents as a child. Being a single father has its challenges, yet he says “I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”
Davis has a message for the other Father of the Year nominees.
“You, too, are Father of the Year,” Davis said. “I would encourage them to keep their heads up.”
“A Toast to Fathers” begins with cocktails and jazz at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards. Individual tickets are $150. For more information, call 314-333-4170 or visit fatherssupportcenter.org.
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