The Community Nest
NOVEMBER, 2025
Help Us Feed 100 Families on Thanksgiving!
Due to significant funding cuts, a lot of Central Ohio families are not going to have Thanksgiving meals as they have in the past. Also, Columbus schools are closed from Wednesday until the following Monday, leaving some kids without their usual school meals. Neighborhood Services, Inc Food Pantry and Charity Newsies are partnering to serve Thanksgiving meals to 100 families on Thanksgiving Day.
THERE ARE 2 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
1. Volunteering on Thanksgiving. Join studio owner, Laurie Markowitz, and her family for a volunteer shift from 3–5 PM or 5–7 PM. If you’ll be in town and are able, this is a small amount of the day and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy your own traditions. Kids welcome- what a powerful opportunity for them to experience giving back firsthand!
To see all volunteer options and sign up, click here.
2. Make or Purchase Food. Many side dishes are needed including sweet potato casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, bread, other side dishes. To sign up to make food, click here.
You can drop off cooked food items at Balancing Owl on:
Wednesday, Nov. 26 from 5-7pm
Thursday, Nov. 27 from 8-10:30am (Thanksgiving Day)
You’re also welcome to drop off food directly to Charity Newsies at 4300 Indianola Avenue Monday-Thursday, Nov. 24-27 from 9am-2pm.
Help Us Collect for Foster Children
Alicia's Closet is a local non-profit group with a holiday giving program serving the foster care community in Central Ohio. We are trying to help over 1000 children!
Balancing Owl will have a box in the front hallway of our studio to collect NEW, unwrapped items especially for kids ages 0-18 from November 1-30.
Most needed items include:
Teen Gifts (body care for boys/girls, hoodies, candles
Pokemon Cards
Art/Craft Sets
Board/Card Games
Cars (RC)
Sports Equipment
Winter PJs (any size)
LEGO sets
Character Toys (Spiderman, Frozen, etc.)
November 1-30. Contribute to our Tree of Life Puzzle
All month there will be a community puzzle of set up on our “The Community Nest” craft table. Please stop in and work on the puzzle as time allows around our class schedule or by announcement by your teacher. The puzzle is of the “Tree of Life”, which represents the deep, interconnected, and ever-renewing nature of life- all things we can be thankful for. When the puzzle is complete, we will frame it and hang it up at the studio.
November 1-30. Contribute to our Tree of Gratitude
All month there will be a tree set up on the front glass of the studio as you walk in. Please stop and fill out a leaf, writing on it something you are grateful for. Then hang the leaf on the tree. Our goal is to fill the community tree full of leaves of gratitude by the end of the month!
PAST EVENTS
October, 2025 at The Community Nest
October 1-31. Create Your Own Peace Mini-Pumpkin.
All month there will be mini-pumpkins and supplies to decorate them set up on our “The Community Nest” craft table. Please stop in and paint one to take home and enjoy! Available around our class schedule or by announcement by your teacher.
Saturday, October 25 from 4-6pm
2nd Craft & Connection Social
Another fun afternoon of crafting for this group! This time, Laurie brought her dog, Thomas, and he entertained the group. We painted mini pumpkins, some did beading, coloring, scrapbooking and enjoyed time visiting. Thank you to Harmony for baking her amazing pumpkin muffins and cookies and for also bringing amazing apple spice cider. We can’t wait for the next event!
Friday, October 17 from 6:30-7:30pm
Step Into Joy- A Movement & Music Play-shop with Carisa Holmes
We had such a fun time moving around the room, having full permission to feel the joy and dance! Carisa invited us to embrace the elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air as we danced to the sound of her voice and we also enjoyed while she played the flute and drummed during some songs. What an empowering and joyful experience!
September, 2025
Saturday, September 27 from 6-8pm was FREE Craft & Connection Night
Our very first Gathering at Balancing Owl Yoga—we spent the night creating, connecting, and discussing why community is so important. We also talked about the type of things we want to do with this group moving forward. We also talked about doing this event as an open event monthly! If you want to join, stay tuned to this page to sign up!
September 1-30. Create Your Own Inspirational Picture Frame.
All month there will be frames and supplies to decorate them set up on our “The Community Nest” craft table. Please stop in and paint one to take home and enjoy, inspiring you to live your best life! Available around our class schedule or by announcement by your teacher.
Fee: $5 donations suggested but not required. Cash or Venmo (see cash box at studio or above for Venmo. code- all supplies are purchased by Balancing Owl as a gift to this community. Any donations are appreciated).