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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEET THE LWL TEAM!

Click on the images below to learn more about our amazing board members!

Sarah Puskas

Founder & CEO

Meet the Director: Hey everyone! If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know me by now but in case you don’t or you’re new here, my name is Sarah Puskas. I am the creator & CEO of Lorain with Littles or LwL for short. I have a 4 year old son and 1.5 year old daughter, plus 2 bonus boys, ages 12 & 13. I was born and raised in Lorain but went out to Arizona for college at the Art Institute of Phoenix where I earned my Bachelors in Graphic & Web Design. I got my “dream design job” after graduation but ultimately made the extremely tough decision to move back home to be closer to family in 2018. I became a first time mom during the 2020 Covid Pandemic and struggled big time with PPD, especially being so isolated during quarantine as a stay at home mom. After a friend invited me to a library story time (shout out to Rachel) it opened up a whole new world of free fun for my son and I! Then I started following Clewithkids which was a huge part of what inspired the LwL page & the rest is history! Last fall I went back to work full-time as a Parent & Youth Ambassador for the Child Care Resource Center in Lorain. I absolutely love my job because I get to help families which is what I was already trying to do with LwL! It’s been tricky adjusting to working full-time while also trying to balance family & home life and running LwL but I’m so passionate about all 3 and they all bring me so much joy and fulfillment 🥹 (Most of all being a mama of course) 💕 Last but not least, I’m very grateful and blessed to have an awesome group of talented and generous individuals for our Lorain with Littles Board. In the coming weeks we will be sharing more about them in our “Meet the Board Series” so stay tuned for that & as always, thank you all so much for being here!

Heather Knoble

Board Secretary

Meet our Lorain with Littles Board Secretary, Heather Knoble! She has been such a huge support internally since taking on the title of Board Secretary. Her knowledge & experience, along with her kind, calm, and professional demeanor has been such an asset to the team and we are very lucky to have her filling such a vital role in our organization! 💕 Heather Knoble is a dedicated advocate for early childhood development, family support, and the special needs community. She currently serves as the Early Intervention Supervisor for the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities, overseeing services for more than 450 infants and toddlers and their families. With over 23 years of experience in early intervention and developmental disabilities, Heather has a strong background in child development, special needs, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Heather holds a B.S. in Child and Family Community Services and an M.Ed. in Special Education with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder, both from Bowling Green State University. In 2024, she was nominated & chosen as a Blessing House Hero for Children, recognizing her work & dedication to the children & families of Lorain County. Passionate about strengthening connections for families with young children, she brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to her role as a board member. In her spare time, Heather enjoys golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Angel Messer

Treasurer

Next in our Meet the Board Series is our Treasurer, Angel Messer. She’s one of our “OG” or “veteran” mamas as I like to call those who has been around since the beginning and are regulars at all of our events. She has been one of our biggest supporters and truly believes in LwL and our mission. We’re so grateful to have her as a dedicated member of the board and as an official part of the LwL family, even though she already has been for quite some time 🫶 Angel Messer is a dedicated mother, a valued professional, and a committed member of her community. She is the proud parent of a three-year-old son, and her commitment to family is a central part of her life. Angel's professional journey reflects her strong work ethic and attention to detail. For five years, she contributed her skills to the legal field at the office of Stanley Stein Esquire. Currently, she serves as an Accounting Assistant at Absolute Machine Tools, where she has been a vital part of the team for the past three years. Beyond her professional life, Angel finds joy and fulfillment in a variety of creative and nurturing hobbies. She has a passion for gardening, cultivating both beauty and sustenance from the earth. Her skills extend to the art of sewing, where she brings her creative visions to life. She also nurtures a thriving collection of houseplants, demonstrating her care for living things. Furthermore, she enjoys crafting, and most importantly, cherishes spending quality time with her family. For the past two years, Angel has also been actively involved in "Lorain with Littles." She has been a consistent presence at community events, contributing her efforts to their success and demonstrating her dedication to enriching the lives of young children in Lorain. Angel's diverse interests, dedication to both her family and her work, and her active involvement in her community paint a portrait of a well-rounded and engaged individual who is deeply rooted in her hometown of Lorain.

Rachael Ellis

Board Member

Next in our Meet the Board series is Rachael Ellis! She has shown a ton of initiative since joining the team & is always willing to help out wherever she can. She continues to go above and beyond for the littles of Lorain and we’re so grateful for her commitment to our cause. Hello! My name is Rachael Ellis. I have 2 daughters, 4 years old and 2.5 years old, plus 2 bonus boys, ages 16 & 19. I was born and raised in Parma. When I met my boyfriend in 2019, I moved to Lorain. I work at Summit Racing Equipment and am have been there since September 2023. When I first learned about LwL, I loved the idea of getting out with your kids for free activities and seeing your child meet new friends and learn new songs and dances. When I saw they were creating a board and accepting applications, I knew I had to participate and be involved in such an amazing community.

Deanna Johnson

Board Member

Moving along with our Meet the Board series to our Fundraising Coordinator, Deanna Szente. You may have seen her and her littles at our events as they’ve been regular attendees for quite some time. Deanna has been contributing to our cause long before she was an official board member and was one of our biggest supporters/donors, frequently donating snacks and supplies for Play Dates. Her giving heart, outgoing spirit, and willingness to advocate for families & youth make her such a huge asset to the team 💕 Deanna Szente is a dedicated mother of three from Avon Lake. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Lorain County Community College and is proud to represent Ohio down in Washington D.C. for Strolling Thunder 2025. Outside of her advocacy, Deanna enjoys exploring the world with her kids, diving into gardening as a newfound hobby, and indulging in her love for reading. She balances family, personal growth, and community involvement, creating a meaningful and adventurous life for herself and her family. Deanna joined LwL to help create a positive impact for the children in her community.

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Want to get involved?

PARTNERSHIPS

PARTNERSHIPS

We are proud to be official partners of these amazing local organization. Click on their logos to go to their websites and learn more about all they do for littles in our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please send us a message.

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© 2024 Lorain with Littles. Lorain, Ohio

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