Nineteen City Dads Groups are planning to ring in Father’s Day 2017 by raising a toast to dads everywhere and money for good causes the night before in “Fathers Eve” celebrations.
Fathers Eve is the brainchild of Twin Cities Dads Group co-organizer John Francis, and it is become an international happening with more than 40 events planned around the United States, and in Costa Rica and London.
Francis started the event in 2012, bringing together several of his dad friends in a residential garage to break bread, drink beers, and swap stories about fatherhood while offering each other support in their efforts to become better parents. The celebrations have grown each year since with this year’s jump from 11 events to 42 being the largest increase. Each event culminates with a toast to fatherhood at 8 p.m. local time.
“The purpose of Fathers Eve has remained the same since the start. Gathering the night before Father’s Day gives dads a chance to spend time with each other to focus on sharing ideas, supporting what it means to be better dads, making stronger connections, all while doing something good for the community,” said Francis, a father of two.
The “doing something good” component first came into play in 2015 when the celebration in Saint Paul, Minn., raised $12,000 for dad-related charities. Most host cities now raise funds to benefit similar organizations — local, national or international. Among this year’s beneficiaries is the The National At-Home Dad Network, which provides support, education and advocacy for dads who are primary caregivers to their children.
City Dads Group, which is a major sponsor for Fathers Eve, will have local chapters host gatherings this year in these locations:
- Austin, Texas
- Boston
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Chicago
- Cleveland
- Columbus, Ohio
- Dallas
- Fresno, Calif.
- Kansas City, Mo.
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Madison, Wisc.
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Portland, Ore.
- Providence, R.I.
- Richmond, Va.
- San Francisco
- Saint Paul, Minn.
“Dads Nights Out are a fun part of every City Dads Group, so it was a natural fit to bring Fathers Eve to many of our cities across the country,” said Matt Schneider, co-founder of City Dads Groups and host for the NYC Dads Group’s Fathers Eve event. “We are thrilled to be able to support one of our own organizers, and especially happy that a portion of the money raised will be donated to our friends at the National At-Home Dad Network.”
To join a celebration near you or to start your own, visit the Fathers Eve website.
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