Winter 2014 - George Jeffrey Children`s Foundation
Transcription
Winter 2014 - George Jeffrey Children`s Foundation
George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Newsletter | Winter 2014 MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM Mr. Mrs. Miss Dr. George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation assists in providing the resources to ensure that George Jeffrey Children's Centre is able to fulfill its mission of enriching the lives of children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities living in our Community and Northwestern Ontario. Please consider joining our Monthly Giving Program. Ms. First Name: Mission Statement Your monthly donation allows us to take a planned, long-term approach through George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation to support the works of George Jeffrey Children’s Centre. Your commitment will help to provide ongoing support for George Jeffrey Children’s Centre to ensure children with special needs continue to receive the services that they deserve, enabling them to achieve their personal best. Whatever you choose to give each month will support initiatives and be an investment in the future of the children we serve. Last Name: Address: City: Prov: Postal Code: Phone: Please accept my gift of $ I have enclosed a cheque payable to George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Please charge my Credit Card for this donation Visa Card # (below): Mastercard Exp: Yes! Teija’s Story I want to be a Monthly Giver with George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation. On November 17, 2008 my husband Brian and I were very excited about the birth of our first CONTACT THE FOUNDATION OFFICE: We can help you to set-up pre-authorized pledges through your credit card or post-dated cheques. Monthly Givers have the flexibility to set their donation, increase, decrease, pause or stop their gift at any time. (807) 623-6050 or by email macomuzzi@georgejeffrey.com OR DONATE SECURELY ONLINE: You can also visit our sponsor, CanadaHelps.org, which is an online fundraising solution that allows charities like George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation to accept donations privately and securely over the Internet. OR Signature: I WOULD LIKE THE FOUNDATION OFFICE TO CONTACT ME: I would like to make my donation In Memory of: In Honour of: Name: I would like an acknowledgement sent to: Name: _______________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________ Thank you for investing in the future of our Kids. “Because our Kids Just Want to Be Kids” Plan an Event George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation welcomes fund-raising and promotional events, sponsored and organized by outside organizations on its behalf. If you would like to plan an event please contact us at (807) 623-6050. Donate online SAVE ME A SEAT is an ongoing program where donations of $1,000 are recognized with a designated seat number on the Save Me A Seat Donor Wall in our Centre’s Lobby. Donations can be one time payments or done in monthly or annual installments on a pledge schedule. I am interested in Save Me A Seat. Please Contact me to confirm my pledge One time donation of $1000 Annual Payments over ____ years Monthly Contributions of $_______ Donations can be made securely online at www.georgejeffreyfoundation.com. Click on the “Donate Now” button. Donations can be made to George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation via this safe and secure system provided through CanadaHelps.org. The support for Teija from our community from the first day she was born was amazing. We were connected with a pediatrician, a social worker, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and immediately referred to George Jeffrey. From a medical perspective we were very lucky; Teija was healthy, and we were discharged from hospital 3 days after she was born. She was then seen at the George Jeffrey Infant Growth and Development Clinic when she was only 1 week old. In this clinic Teija was seen by a pediatrician, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a speech language pathologist and a social worker. It was explained to us that in this comprehensive clinic, the providers complete a thorough assessment all together to determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses and identify areas that need attention. Then individual therapy can be carried out to focus on the child’s needs. Jennifer & Teija At first Teija was mostly followed by Dr. De, the pediatrician, who ensured that she was gaining weight appropriately. When Teija was about 2 months old, we noticed that she started tilting her head to one side (referred to as a Torticollis). At this time we were seen regularly by the physiotherapist who showed us exercises, stretches and head positioning to encourage Teija to keep her head straight. Over the next few months we noticed a great improvement in her head tilt. Over the next four years Teija was seen in the Infant Growth and Development Clinic every three to six months. There were times when no specific intervention was needed, and more commonly individual blocks of therapy were set up as specific needs were identified. When Teija ‘graduated’ from the Infant Growth and Development Clinic she began seeing individual therapists as needed. One major milestone for Teija was starting school in September 2012. She was born in November, so she was only 3 years old when she entered JK. At this time we worked closely with Katie O’Brien, Teija’s Occupational Therapist to help her prepare for school. Katie worked with Teija on proper hand position for holding a pencil, pre-printing skills, and other skills such as putting on a jacket and doing up a zipper. Katie also went into Teija’s classroom to observe her in this setting and helped to adjust her chair and gave her a footrest for better positioning, as Teija was smaller than the other students in her class. Katie also helped advocate for a smaller, more child friendly toilet in Teija’s classroom, an issue that not only benefitted Teija, but all the students in her class. As the parent of any child entering school for the first time knows, it can be an exciting, yet worrisome time. This worry however, is greatly amplified when you have a child with special needs. George Jeffrey helped us feel that Teija was as prepared as she could be for school. We knew that she would do well. I am so proud to say that Teija far exceeded our expectations. She will be entering Grade 1 this coming Fall. She knows the alphabet and the sound that each letter makes. She can read sight words such as 'the', 'at' and 'to', and she is reading short words such as 'dog', 'cat' and 'fox.' She can write her name and all the letters of the alphabet. She participates actively in gym class, she can ride her bike with training wheels and you should see her throw a ball! She has quite the arm! In addition, Teija is well accepted by her peers and has a great group of friends. 200 Brock St. E. Thunder Bay ON P7E 0A2 Name to appear on Save Me A Seat Donor Wall: Thank you for helping us in our mission “Because Our Kids Just Want to Be Kids” child, a little girl, we named Teija June Lawson. Teija was born with Down syndrome, one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities that causes both developmental and physical delays. The birth of your first child is a nerve racking experience for any new parent, but when you are told that your daughter will have special needs you are faced with even more worries and fears. 100% of your donation stays in our community to assist children and youth at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre. All donations of $20.00 or greater will receive a tax receipt. Charitable Registration # 854696770RR0001 George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation respects your privacy and is committed to the protection of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. We do not rent, sell or trade the personal information we collect including information contained in our mailing list. The information you provide is used to fulfill our mandate to raise funds and to keep you informed of Foundation news and activities. You may have your name removed from our mailing list by contacting the Foundation Office at (807) 623-6050. It has now been five and a half years since we first became involved with George Jeffrey. Looking back at our initial visits, I can see all the amazing progress that Teija has made thanks to the intervention that she received. It was wonderful to work with so many individuals who saw Teija for her potential, and not her disability. Each and every therapist that we worked with had Teija’s best interest at heart, and they were committed to improving Teija’s growth and development. It is easy to talk about all of the benefits that Teija has received from George Jeffrey, but one of the more surprising benefits was actually for my husband Brian and I. We, as a new family, received so much support from everyone at the Centre. We continue to see many of the same therapists that have been involved in Teija’s care since her first visit, and we have developed friendships and support networks that are invaluable. Over the years, our family, now of five, has been able to enjoy some of the benefits of being involved with the Centre such as Family Fun Days, and the visit with Patrick Sharp and the Stanley Cup last Summer. I would like to sum this up by saying that every child deserves an opportunity, a chance to meet their full potential. I believe that George Jeffrey helps to make that happen, and we are grateful that Teija has been given the opportunity to reach her potential. We cannot be more proud of her. Thank you for your generous support of the Centre. ~ by Jennifer Lawson Through the remarkable generosity of ALL our Sponsors, Golfers and Volunteers the 3rd Annual Patrick Sharp Children’s Charity Golf Classic raised a remarkable THANK YOU! To Sponsors, Superior North EMS Paramedics, Racers, Volunteers and Supporters of the 11th Annual Superior North EMS Soapbox Races for raising $36,000 to support George Jeffrey Children’s Centre and the children we serve. $125,000 In the 3 years of this tournament $329,000 has been raised to assist children with special needs that come to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre. Through the support and generosity of our sponsors, golfers and volunteers all funds raised will ensure all essential services are met at this truly exceptional Centre. Left to right - Trevor Fitzgerald Gillons, Ted Fitzgerald Gillons, Myron Romaniuk Gillons, Mark LeBlanc Northbridge, Mary Anne Comuzzi, Executive Director GJCF, Patrick Sharp, Duane Cridland Gillons Through a generous donation from Ontario Power Generation (OPG), George Jeffrey Children's Centre was able to furnish an area with wheelchairaccessible picnic tables and benches. Raffle Sponsor Dinner Sponsor Chris Fralick, OPG Northwest Operations regional manager, presented a cheque to Mary Anne Comuzzi, GJCF Executive Director and Tom Walters. Chris said,“We’ve been involved right from the get-go in 2008 when this facility was constructed. We helped put in a therapeutic walkway and we’re helping now with some wheelchair accessible picnic tables and benches. This is something that our employees believe in and value.“ Breakfast Sponsor Lead Sponsor: Driving Range Sponsor Golf Cart Sponsor Lunch Sponsor Terrace Sponsor Appetizer Sponsor MACIVOR HARRIS RODDY L A W Y E R S Dessert Sponsor OPG Opens the Outdoors for Clients ”It’s wonderful to see this kind of support,” says Tom Walters, CEO of the Centre. “These tables and benches donated by OPG will make our outdoors more accessible for our Kids.” Presenting Sponsors Wine Sponsor CONTRIBUTOR HIGHLIGHTS Sign Sponsor Media Sponsor & LLP T R A D E M A R K Race Logistic & Pit Crew Sponsor: A G E N T S Welcome Gift Photography Sponsor Soapbox Car Sponsors: Staff Charity Fund FLAG/HOLE SPONSORS Teleco • Downtown Volkswagen • Shoppers Home Health Care • True Grit Consulting • Balmoral Dental Design Ltd • Rock 94 • Triad Exterior Finishing • RBC • Merse Motor Electric Smiths R.V. Centre • Gillons • Blue Door Bistro • Perhol Construction • Clow Darling • Dubinsky Law • Sportop • Tbaytel Thunder Bay Mitsubishi & Balmoral Park Acura • Investors Group T-BOX SPONSORS CIBC-Brad Coslett • TBXI-Xerox/The Business Supplier • Colosimo Financial • Thunder Bay International Airport Authorities • Provincial Alliance & Copperfin Credit Union • Bearl Mechanical Inc • Profor Engineering • Nor West Pest Control SUPPORTING SPONSORS Patrick Sharp • Premier Gold • Manitou Weather Station • Crock-N-Dials • Westjet Airlines • Doug Gilmour • Lucas Peltonen & Family • Kerry Fraser • Anonymous Donors CONTRIBUTORS Tim Hortons • Pop’s Kettle Corn • Chicago Blackhawks • Keurig • Fort William Country Club • Wirtz Beverage Group • Tom Walters • Valhalla Inn • Nor West Pest Control • Colin Bruce Andrew & Michelle St. Clair • OLG • Design and Logic • Vince Mirabelli • Alex Szczomak • Jennifer Lawson • Jody Marchant • Ken & Flo Crooks • Hilary Kaszor • Kathleen Comuzzi Emey Hendricks • Course Volunteers (l to r) Haley Irwin, Myron Romaniuk Gillons, Mark LeBlanc Northbridge, Patrick Sharp In conjunction with the Patrick Sharp Charity Golf Classic a pre-tournament event sponsored by Northbridge Insurance & Gillons was hosted at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre where over 400 children and their families along with sponsors had the opportunity to take part in a Family Fair atmosphere and mingle with Patrick Sharp and his special guests, Haley Irwin and Kerry Fraser. It was also the first time Patrick unveiled the Gold Medal he won in Sochi as part of the Canadian Men’s Gold Medal Winning Hockey Team. (l to r) Patrick Sharp, Kerry Fraser & Haley Irwin Tournament Pre Event Family Fun Fair Sponsor Bruno’s Contracting, Intercity Fleet Auto Service, Kilred Winding Industries Ltd, Service Master Clean, Superior Elevator ULC, Weiler Maloney Nelson Media Sponsors: Starting Line Sponsors: Pit Sponsors: Finish Line Sponsors: LiUNA Local 607 Manulife Securities Thunder Bay Mitsubishi Motors WSP Canada Inc. Signs Now Currie’s Copy Shop Health Pro Canada A-1 Sewage Excalibur Tim Hortons The Chronicle-Journal North West Electric Home Depot LTL Construction Mascarin Collision Centre Thunder Bay Police Association RBC Porter Airlines Flag Sponsors: Special Thanks To: Superior North EMS Paramedics, Waverly Hill Residents, Magnus Theatre, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s United Church, Prezio Electric Ltd, Zegil’s Floor Mart, Dufresne, Salvation Army, Boston Pizza, Thunder Bay Police, Thunder Bay Auto Sports Club, Electrical Safety Authority, Ray Innes, Ray Dorval, City of Thunder Bay, Eco Superior, Gentle George, Moose Medic, Dennis Niittynen, Kevin Kivisto, Darren Wicklund, Sonny Helmink, John Sacek, Winmar, Signal Resources, Ken Crooks & Marnie Moroz, LuLu & Friends, Our Dedicated Volunteers RACE STANDINGS CLASS A WINNER Greggory Augruso MODIFIED CLASS Jaiden Holmstrom CORPORATE MODIFIED CLASS Juliet Elliot Greggory Augruso Pre Event Photography Sponsor As part of its Employee Payroll Donation Campaign, local Safeway employees announced a $3,338 contribution to George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation. “We are very pleased that the funds donated to George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation will focus on supporting children in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities in northwestern Ontario to provide the support and expert care from the specialists at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre”, says Natalina Porpiglia Dafnis, Safeway Public Affairs Coordinator. Pitching for the Kids Cav-Tal Foods, Erbanorth, MNP LLP, Northern Computer Innovations, Northern Turf Equipment, Thermal Mechanical, Thunder Bay Bassmasters, Unifor Local 229 EIJI TSUBOUCHI SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Pre Event Catering Sponsor Power Workers Union representative Tim Borg (right) presented a cheque to Foundation Board member and long time volunteer, Dennis Niittynen. In lieu of a gift Dennis asked that a donation be made to George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation in recognition of his recent retirement from Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Jack’s Wife Linda & Grandson Carter The Inaugural Jack McInnis Memorial Horseshoe Tournament was held on August 23rd, 2014; the weekend of Jack's birthday. The Moose campground at Cloud Lake where Jack and Linda McInnis have camped for the last 3 years was the host venue for the inaugural event. The mandate of the Moose campground organization is helping kids and the obvious charity of choice for the Jack McInnis Memorial Horseshoe Tournament was George Jeffrey Children's Centre. The horseshoe tournament is a welcomed event and will be held annually in honour of Jack and in support of George Jeffrey Children’s Centre. What is Giving Tuesday? You've heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now there is Giving Tuesday; a global day of giving. After the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday is a time to celebrate and encourage activities that support charities and non profits. When is Giving Tuesday? Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering time, helping a neighbour or spreading the word, GivingTuesday is a movement for everyone who wants to give something back and it's a way to encourage more, better and smarter giving during the Holiday Season. How will you give back? Visit www.georgejeffreyfoundation.com for up to date news and events. George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Newsletter | Winter 2014 Family Fun Fair Tournament pre event Employees Donate to Local Charity Retirement Gift