SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION
OF NORTH TEXAS
705 W. Ave B. Suite 409
Garland, Texas 75040
Non-Profit Org
US Postage
Paid
Permit 242
Rowlett, TX
SAVE THE
DATE!!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Dallas, Texas
Mark your calendars for a fun time for all! More details coming
soon!
Interested in Sponsoring this event?
Do you have an idea for entertainment ?
Know a great contact to help us provide food , gifts or treats?
Does your company or school want to volunteer?
Contact Robin Lee at 214-728-9294 or rlee@spinabifidant.org.
Thank You!
SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF NORTH TEXAS
705 West Avenue B., Suite 409, Garland, TX 75040
(972) 238-8755
Fax: (214) 703-1981
E-Mail: information@spinabifidant.org
Website: spinabifidant.org
SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
4590 MacArthur Blvd, NW, #250,
Washington, DC 20007
(800) 621-3141 • (202) 944-3285
E-Mail: sbaa@sbaa.org
Website: www.spinabifidaassociation.org
Issue No. 44 • October 2011 • Fall Edition
The Official Newsletter of the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas
spinabifidant.org
Calendar Of Events
October is
Spina Bifida
Awareness
Month!
Spread the
Word!
October 6, 2011
SBANT Board of Directors Meeting
October 13, 2011
3rd Annual Tee It Up for Joy
For more information visit
www.teeitupforjoy.com
October 15, 2011
Austin Baker IV
Memorial Golf Tournament
For more information contact Cody
Caldwell at (940) 597-5351.
October 22, 2011
Hispanic Workshop
Education Forum
TSRH
November 12, 2011
Tarrant County Night of Superstars
www.nightofsuperstars.com
November 18-20, 2011
Family Camp at Camp John Marc
For more information contact Jessica McCoy
JeskaMcCoy@yahoo.com
December 4, 2011
SBANT Holiday Party
Frontiers of Flight Museum
1:00-4:00 pm.
2nd Annual Walk-N-Roll
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in this event! It wouldn't have
been such a success without the support of our Volunteers, Sponsor, Donors and
Participants! We exceeded our Fundraising goal and are now at almost $49,000!
Way to go! The day of the event was a little hot, but it was beautiful. The turnout
was amazing! The 1920's built facility provides some challenges on logistics, but
what a nice problem to have! This means that so many people were pouring in
to the park on lanes built for horses and carriages, that we had to start a little late.
However, everyone made the most of it! Kids spent time playing, signing and decorating the Start banner, while adults mingled and talked and teenagers tried to
wake up! Over 350 people were in attendance that day. It was an amazing way to
spread our mission! Go to page 12 for more information and pictures.
***SAVE THE DATE! 3rd ANNUAL WALK - SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 BURGERS LAKE***
Our mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected.
SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION
OF NORTH TEXAS
705 W. Avenue B., Suite 409, Garland, Texas 75040
Email: information@spinabifidant.org Phone: 972.238.8755
2011 SCHOLARSHIPS
Executive Board
Chair:
RYAN MCCOY
ryandavidmccoy@gmail.com
Vice Chair:
JASON DUNCAN
jasondduncan@gmail.com
ALEX
GEORGE
Secretary:
JANA HARDWICK
Janah214@yahoo.com
Treasurer:
GAYE MORRISON
ggmor@aol.com
Staff
Executive Director:
ROBIN LEE
Spina Bifida Association
of North Texas
705 West Avenue B, Suite 409
Garland, Texas 75040
214-728-9294 direct
214-703-1981 FAX
rlee@spinabifidant.org
Directors
NATASHA ANDERSON
nmaintexas@yahoo.com
Information & Referrals
JOANNE CAFIERO
972.238.8755
jcaf@airmail.net
ERIN CANO
erin.cano@yahoo.com
GABRIELA (GABBY) CANTU
cantu.gabriela@gmail.com
JULIE CARTER
Julie@teaforjoy.com
Hispanic Outreach Chair
MARIA AVITIA
972-208-7804 (Spanish Line)
esperanzaavitiaortega@yahoo.com
Family Outreach Chair
WENDY HARVEY
harvey.4@sbcglobal.net
JOANNE HURTEKANT
hurtekant@sbcglobal.net
MESHA
SAMANTHA
2011 Scholarship Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Spina Bifida Association of North Texas Scholarship Awards.
Due to the overwhelming success of the Second Annual Walk N Roll in July, we were able to award
scholarships to four outstanding students. Each applicant submitted an essay, transcripts, letters of
recommendation and other documentation to support their request. A committee of five individuals,
each dedicated to the mission of the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas in their commitment to the
committee, reviewed the applications and made the awards. Please join the committee in congratulating
these students:
Alex Allen will be a freshman at Tarleton State University, studying Special Education. She is a 2011
graduate of Godley High School, where she was a member of The National Honor Society, Student Council
and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was also a manager for the girls’ basketball team and active
in her church’s youth group. As a participant in Ready, Set, Teach during her senior year, she was able to
experience first-hand the many challenges and rewards of teaching. She is eager and well prepared as she
starts her college career this fall.
Samantha Ross returns to Oklahoma to continue her studies in Meteorology. She is a determined
student who faces challenges with enthusiasm and resolve. Samantha submitted a moving essay with her
application that is surely to inspire many students, young and old, that are living with spina bifida. Please
see her essay “Challenge” on the next page.
George Turner returns to The University of Arkansas this fall to continue his studies in Communications.
Last year, George took the campus by storm, and with the blessing of the university chancellor, organized
the first ever University of Arkansas Disabilities Awareness Week. He secured corporate sponsorship,
organized volunteers, planned programming and speakers and coordinated complete marketing efforts.
He managed to do well in his classes, too! Look for great things to come from this young man, as he
considers a career in Fund Raising and Development.
Mesha Wing recently completed her freshman year at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she is
studying interior design and architecture. She is a strong student with goals to earn her degrees, succeed
in her chosen career and eventually own her own business. One of her goals is to use her education
and experience as a volunteer in her community and around the world, designing houses, schools, and
community centers in areas with few financial resources. We wish her the very best as she pursues these
goals.
2
2011 SCHOLARSHIPS
The following essay was submitted by Samantha Ross for her Scholarship Application.
Read it, be inspired and share it with someone.
Challenge - noun
Challenge
1. something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration
offers a challenge to humankind.
One word, nine letters, but it carries a heavy weight. Who would have thought that that one word would be
defining my life? I never asked for challenges to be thrown into my path continually, but this appears to be my
destiny. It began when I was born with the physical disability of Spina Bifida, enduring the many surgeries and
hospital stays associated with that disability and continues today while I strive to earn my degree. Facing battles
everyday whether they were health related, social or educational have helped mould me into the young woman
I am today. Carol Burnett echoes my philosophy when she stated “I have always grown from my problems and
challenges, from the things that don’t work out, that’s when I’ve really learned.” To learn is to grow.
I attend a school where sometimes, just getting to class presents the initial trial for the day. Oklahoma can
be windy and warm one day or have twelve inches of snow the next. But the weather is why I am here. The
University of Oklahoma provides one of the top degrees in Meteorology offered in the nation. I have chosen this
challenging major that was probably not the best “fit” with the learning disability associated with spina bifida and
hydrocephalous. It requires special effort on my part to take notes that would rival any textbook, study hard, and
pick myself up, dust myself off and start again when Challenge rears its’ ugly head. And Challenge presents herself
to me quite frequently. She is my nemesis, but it is her that pushes me harder, makes me stronger. My mother
always says that I “like to do things the hard way”, but that is not entirely true. It has that appearance, but in fact
I am determined; determined to succeed at what I put my mind to, determined to finish what I start, determined
the be the best I can be despite the obstacles placed in my path. I go into battle every day with the material I must
learn and process and with my spirit. But Challenge is also my friend. She has helped me to grow, to learn, to strive
for the opportunity to become more than what “society” sees me as capable of becoming.
I am only beginning my journey, but as I move forward to the next chapter of my life, that of an independent,
confident young adult, I will embrace Challenge, because from her, I have learned, and I have grown.
October Is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month!
October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, a time to educate the public and further understanding
about Spina Bifida while celebrating the lives of the more than 166,000 Americans affected. Every day in the
United States, an average of 8 births are affected by Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and
spine. It remains the most commonly occurring complex birth defect in this country. The root cause of Spina
Bifida is unknown and the effects for each person are different. Hispanics have an abnormally high rate of
diagnosis. Hispanic mothers are one-and-a -half to two times more likely to give birth to a child with Spina
Bifida than non-Hispanic Caucasians. Spina Bifida is not one condition. It is a multitude of problems that
affect the mind, the body and the spirit. Advancements in treatment and prevention, however, have opened
new doors for those with Spina Bifida. While it presents unique challenges, those affected by Spina Bifida are
able to attend school, work, raise a family, and spend time with friends just like everyone else. Our Scholarship Recipients are models for achievement. Spread the mission of SBANT to support them and others that
will follow in their footsteps, all because someone believed in them.
3
IN THE NEWS
10th Annual Hispanic Group Talent Show!
The 10th Annual Talent Show was held at Bachman Recreation Center on April 14. An
amazing evening of singing and dancing performed by 27 acts of children and young
adults with Spina Bifida and their siblings. This group is so popular they were asked to perform
their finale group act at Scottish Rite for the second year in a row and even at a mall in Ft Worth!
This evening could not have been possible without the many volunteer hours put in by Maria
and her group and without the financial support of Therapy 2000 and Advocate Medical.
WE'VE GOT TALENT!
Hispanic Family Camp
March 18-20, 2011
4
COMMUNITY EVENTS
A free, educational workshop is being offered for all parents of children
with special needs to help better understand the unique planning that
can be necessary to create a long term plan for their child. The workshop series, The 7 Core Concepts of an Effective Special Needs Plan,
provides parents an easy to follow checklist to work toward addressing
the core needs of a special needs plan for their child.
The workshop is being presented by Don White, the Special Needs
Planning Center advisor serving the DFW community. You may contact Don directly at dwhite@thesnpcenter.com or (214) 518-5805.
Core concepts that will be discussed include:
•
Social Security
•
Self-determination and Advocay
•
Basic Legal Needs
•
Special Needs Trust
•
Continuity of Care
•
Post-Education Planning
•
Independent Living
Where:
North Richland Hills Library
9015 Grand Avenue
North Richland, TX 76180
Please RSVP:
dwhite@thesnpcenter.com
When:
or call (214) 518-5805
Thursday, October 27th @ 6:30pm
Thursday, December 1st @ 6:30pm
Have you
visited the
SBA website lately?
There is an
exciting new resource that was created to
give parents and clinicians tips and tools
to help children with Spina Bifida develop
into successful and happy adults. It also
has information for young adults seeking
ways to become more
independent and lead a fuller, richer life.
Go to www.spinabifidaassociation.org
to link to this resource!
SBANT eNewsletter Receives 2011
Community Outreach Award
at National
Conference
Not receiving this
outstanding
information tool?
Make sure we have
your current email
address! Send it to
information@spinabifidant.org
5
GIVING
SBANT Appreciates the
Support of all its Donors!
The Gift That Keeps Giving
What better way to recognize special people
in your life than with a gift to the Spina Bifida
Association of North Texas! Your gift will be
acknowledged in our newsletter, plus both the
donor and the recipient will receive a personal
acknowledgement of the honorary gift. All
donations are tax deductible. Examples are:
A sincere thank you is extended to the
following organizations and individuals for their
support of SBANT.
Their generous donations make all of our
important
programs and services possible.
• Birthdays
• Graduations
• Bat Mitzvah
• In Honor Of
• Promotions
• Anniversaries
General Donations….
Carey Hebdricks
Thanks to the following foundations
and companies for their donations
and matching gifts….
• Births
• Weddings
• Christenings
• In Memory Of
• Bar Mitzvah
The Spina Bifida Association of North Texas
depends on generous contributions from
individuals, corporations and organizations
to continue its services and programs here
in North Texas. Please remember SBANT
when special occasions arise. Credit Cards
accepted.
Singles Charity Council/Supporters of Childrens
Charities
Tea for Joy
B.P. Fabrics of America
Because of Joy
C & R Medical
The Options Clearing Corporation
To make a donation to SBANT
go to www.spinabifidant.org
or call Robin Lee at 214-728-9294.
Pictured above are some of the OCC employees, their family members and even interns who
volunteered their time at the 2nd Annual Walk-N-Roll. OCC (www.theocc.com) selected SBANT as
it's charity recipient for 2011. Employees are donating their time and money to support SBANT's
efforts to provide great programs, such as our camp programs, to individuals with Spina Bifida.
Through direct donations, payments in a "Friday Jeans Day" fund, and setting up fundraising at
local restaurants, this company is passionately supporting our mission!
THANK YOU OCC EMPLOYEES!
6
GIVING
MEMORIALS & HONORAIUMS
Memorials
In Memory of Angie Rogers
Homer Birdine
Deborah Endres
In Memory of Susan Dobrow
Alan Myhal
In Memory of Charles Boutell
Nora Graner
Mr. & Mrs. William Barnett
Dennis DeLoose
Sandra Mast & Frank Woodyard
Kenneth Ducote
Mr. & Mrs. O. Dunlap
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mitchell
Alie Sessions
Kathleen Wood
You can double or even triple the power
of your contribution by asking your
employer to match your gift!
More and more corporations of all
sizes offer matching gift programs as a
way to promote positive employee and
public relations. Programs are designed
to achieve a range of objectives and
may include the opportunity for your
company to match a variety of gifts
you make to SBANT including cash,
life insurance, stocks and securities,
charitable annuities, and even volunteer
hours!
Simply ask your human resources
department to find out if your company
will match your gifts to SBANT. Or, if
you need help starting a matching gift
program at your company, contact us.
Use Goodsearch as your
search engine or when
shopping online! An
easy way to earn money
for SBANT!
COMING SOON!
MATCHFINDER BY BLACKBAUD!
If you make your donation online, you
will be able to check if your company
matches donations right then! Still want
to mail us a check? We will be able to
search for you!
Keep this in mind for your
year-end giving!!
7
2011 CAMP TLC
For 20 years SBANT, with the support of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, has sponsored a week
long residential camping experience in the foothills of the Texas Hill Country, at Camp John Marc, called
Camp TLC.
Camp John Marc is nationally recognized as a premier therapeutic camp, known both for its incredible facility and its innovative programming. The non-profit organization that operates the camp,
Special Camps for Special Kids, underwrites over3/4 of the expenses of Camp TLC. This year, many parents made generous donations that paid a significant portion of the $10,000 in expenses that SBANT
is responsible for. The Tea for Joy event , held each May, made a significant gift to SBANT for camp
expenses, as did a recurring gift from a Camp John Marc Board member, who also helps to support our
family camps held at CJM.
This year, nearly 100 campers had a blast. Although we’ve never formally surveyed the kids, we’re pretty sure the universal response to “Why do you like camp?” would be “Because it’s fun!” (probably accompanied by that irritating “Duh” look they must all learn in kindergarten.)
A very untraditional camp highlight this year was the viewing of the final NBA championship game,
thanks to a borrowed flat screen TV, a borrowed antenna, a long 2x4, some duct tape, and an “app” on
Jeff Carter’s I-phone that locates broadcast towers! (Who knew Jeff had so much McGyver in him?)
We did survey all of our parents who had given us email contact information. Out of 75 parents, we got
a decent 33% response rate. The most repeated comments from parents were:
“She is more confident since she got back from camp.”
“He’s more willing to try new things.”
“She made new friends who understand her disability.”
“He is even more independent.”
“He came home with more maturity.”
“She gets the opportunity to be more assertive, and a leader, at camp.”
Comments like these confirm our belief that this rather expensive and volunteer labor-intensive
program is one SBANT can be proud of.
8
2 0 1 1 FA M I LY C A M P
APPLICATION FOR SBANT FAMILY CAMP WEEKEND
CAMP JOHN MARC - MERIDIAN, TEXAS
NOVEMBER 18-20, 2011
For children with Spina Bifida ages 7 and under - and their families
It is almost time for the SBANT 2011 Family Camp! On behalf of the SBANT Board, I would like to invite you to Family
Camp 2011 at Camp John Marc if you have a child with Spina Bifida, age 7 or younger. Camp John Marc offers an
incredible facility in Meridian, Texas. You can visit their website at www.campjohnmarc.org to see all of the wonderful
facilities and activities that are available. This is the same location that Camp TLC is held each June for Spina Bifida
campers 8-15 years old. Therefore, Family Camp can also serve as a good introduction to the location for the future Camp
TLC camper.
SB Child’s Name _________________________________ Age ________ (at time of camp)
Dad’s Name _______________________________________________
Mom’s Name ______________________________________________
Note: There is a 5 Family Member Limit (Total Members), if there are additional family members to attend, please
contact Jessica McCoy (jeskamccoy@yahoo.com) for information on the additional cost.
Brothers and Sisters that will attend:
Name ____________________________________________________ Age _______
Name ____________________________________________________ Age _______
Name ____________________________________________________ Age _______
Address______________________________________________________________
Phone#_______________________________Email___________________________
Each family will be staying in their own cabin at Camp John Marc. The cabins include 10 twin beds and a large
bathroom area with 2 toilets, 2 showers and 2 sinks. No linens are provided – please bring sheets, pillows, towels,
blankets/sleeping bags, etc. All cabins have heating and air conditioning. Microwaves are available in the dining hall
to use at any time, as well as an ice machine. Coolers are recommended for personal use. Meals will be provided for
Friday night, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Camp fee per family is $125. The number
of cabins available are limited. Priority is given to new campers – in order to give everyone a chance to visit this
wonderful camp!
PLEASE RETURN THIS APPLICATION BY OCTOBER 21st TO:
Jessica McCoy
3682 Smoke Tree Trail
Euless, TX 76040
or email it to JeskaMcCoy@yahoo.com
Questions at 817-992-7530 or JeskaMcCoy@yahoo.com
Send money in with your application. Please make checks payable to Spina Bifida Association of North TX
(SBANT). Once your money is received you will receive a release form to be returned before camp. If your
application is not accepted, your check will be promptly returned uncashed. If you would like to make an additional
donation, please enclose your gift to the Family Camp Fund with this application.
9
2 0 1 1 FA M I LY C A M P S H I R T
Name ________________________________________________________
Please total place number needed next to each size.
(If you need a size chart email me at JeskaMcCoy@yahoo.com )
YOUTH GREY _____XS ____S _____M _____L _____XL
LADIES GREY ____S _____M _____L _____XL _____2XL
MENS GREY
____S _____M _____L _____XL _____2XL _____3XL
COST = $10.00 PER SHIRT, ADD $2 FOR 2XL AND 3XL.
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO
SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF NORTH TEXAS
MAIL TO : JESSICA MCCOY
3682 SMOKE TREE TR.
EULESS, TX 76040
PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDER BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE SOLD AT CAMP!
ALL ORDERS AND PAYMENTS ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 1ST
10
U P D AT E S !
Contact Info Needed!
We Need Your Email Address!!
Don’t miss out on the latest information!
Update your email with us today!
Send your current email address and any other
new contact info to information@spinabifidant.org or
call 972-238-8755.
To be more timely and cost efficient, most information will
be sent out via email instead of snail mail, so don't delay!!
Contact us today!!
Happy 70th Birthday Ellen!
Ellen Dibler, an adult with Spina Bifida, was honored by the SBA earlier this year for her dedication
to the organization and mission of SBA. She is not
only one of the oldest living adults with Spina Bifida, she is also a wife, a mother and a grandmother. She has never let her disability dictate her life.
Through her work with Mary Kay, she advocates for
people with disabilities, promotes folic acid awareness and encourages others to strive for greatness.
She has previously served both on the SBA board
and the SBANT board. Happy 70th Birthday Ellen!
Thank you for all you have done! We love you!
PROGRAMS EXPANDING
IN 2012!
Stay tuned for more
information! Suggestions?
Let us know! We are here to
serve you!
HAVE YOU HAD
YOUR FOLIC
ACID TODAY?
NOW SEARCHING
FOR 2012
VOLUNTEERS AND
BOARD MEMBERS!
Interested in supporting SBANT with your skills,
contacts and knowledge? We need you! Contact
Joanne Hurtekant for more information at
Hurtekant@sbcglobal.net or (214) 324-9081.
11
2N D A N N UA L WA L K - N - R O L L
Thank You to our Sponsors! Not only do they benefit us financially, they
Volunteer and theyTHANK
make themselves
available
so you can see the different
YOU TO OUR
SPONSORS!
products
options
thatWE
areAPPRECIATE
available. Support
them
when you can!
LET and
THEM
KNOW
THEIR
SUPPORT!
PICNIC CO-SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
SPONSORS
REFRESHMENT SPONSOR
IN KIND SPONSORS
FACEPAINTING BY MIRIAM MARTINEZ
SUPERSAVERS—RIVER OAKS
12
2N D A N N UA L WA L K - N - R O L L
LITTLE WARRIORS TEAM
Trey, Ali Cannon & Carlee
Bin Wells & Team Bin
Our Top Teams
Little Warriors - $7423
Team Bin - $3210
Cafiero Family - $3250
Ella Kwan
Our Top Participants
Bin Wells - $3210
Trey, Ali, Cannon & Carlee - $2735
Ella Kwan - $2257
Cafiero Family
Our Spirited Teams!!
13
IN THE NEWS
Letter from the Chair
This year has been a great year for the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas. We
started off the year with our annual Bowl-A-Thon which was great fun for everyone involved. We enjoyed a successful Walk-N-Roll in July at Burger’s Lake and we
are already looking forward to the Holiday Party this December. I would like to
thank all of our families and supporters for helping make this year of fundraising
very successful. We are able to expand our outreach services, we are offering more
scholarships, and we won a Community Outreach award at the national conference for our new E-Newsletter. Our new executive director Robin Lee has been a
great addition to our organization and is a great advocate for Spina Bifida causes and our community. For
those of you with young children seven and under, TLC family camp is fast approaching. Keep the weekend
of November 18-20th free and send in the application inside this edition of the Horizon or find a copy on
the website at www.spinabifidant.org. I hope to see all of you at the holiday party on December 4th at the
Frontiers of Flight Museum – see more information in this newsletter. Thank you all!
Executive Director Letter
It is finally almost Fall! At the time of this printing, I will have been serving as
your new Executive Director for about 5 months. What a busy and exciting time
it has been for SBANT! We awarded Scholarships, had our 10th Annual Hispanic
Talent Show, had almost 100 campers at Camp TLC, hosted an AMAZING 2nd
Annual Walk-N-Roll and Family Picnic and much more! Our technology has
been greatly expanding. In May, we launched our first edition of our monthly
e-newsletter. If you have not been receiving this, you are missing out! We will
be doing most of our correspondence via email in the future. Not only is it more
cost effective than printing, but it is easy for readers to go back and reference
and even forward to friends and family! We will still be sending out some mailings, including this newsletter, which will run twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. We will
also be utilizing our social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to deliver information. Make sure we
have your current email address on file so you don’t miss out on what’s going on at SBANT!
There is a lot going on in the next few months at SBANT. Much of this is included in this issue. As we prepare to move into 2012, we will be setting our goals for next year and how we can expand and improve our
programs and ways that we support our constituents. My goals are to expand our Adult Outreach, have
more Education sessions, reach out to local OB/GYNs to make them aware of SBANT’s services, as well as
Folic Acid awareness.
I ask you to look to the future. How can we make SBANT better? Can you help us? Are you making use of
SBANT’s resources, including our partnerships and relationships with other groups such as RISE, Turning
Point, Dallas Jr Mavs Wheelchair Basketball, etc.
SBANT exists to support and grow our mission – To Promote the Prevention of Spina Bifida and Enhance
the Lives of ALL affected! Thank you for being a part of our family!
14
SBANT COMMUNITY
Want to go
Hunting?
Want to bring some sunshine
to someone? We would like to
start a Sunshine Committee!
SPREAD
SOME
SUNSHINE!
Role of Sunshine Committee Make Visits, Send Cards, Make
Phone calls or Send Emails
Who Benefits?
SBANT constituents and YOU!
We want our adults, kids and families who are having
health issues, just had surgery or really just need a
pick-me-up, to know that we care! Want to be a part
of this Sunshine Committee or need some Sunshine?
Contact Sarah Harig at intern@spinabifidant.org or leave
a message at 214-728-9294.
Hello! My name is Sarah Harig
and I am the new intern for
SBANT. I recently graduated
from the University of Virginia
with a Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology and History and
will be starting graduate
school for counseling
psychology in January. While
in undergraduate school, I was
extremely involved in the community doing activities
ranging from playing Bingo with local nursing home
residents to beautifying parks to shaving my head to
raise money for children’s cancer research. As a result,
when I was deciding what I wanted to do after
graduation, I knew I had to continue my community
involvement . When the opportunity to intern with
SBANT presented itself, I couldn’t turn it down. Now
I am just a little over a week into my internship and I
can already tell I will be involved in this for the rest of
my life! I am so excited to be working for this organization and helping with its mission to raise awareness about Spina Bifida and to enrich the lives of
those living with it!
In honor of his late son
Colt (pictured here), Troy
Matson is coordinating
hunting trips for children
and adults with Spina
Bifida. Colt, who passed
away July 2010 at the age
of 22, loved hunting, fishing and sports and
really enjoyed life. He did not let his having
Spina Bifida stop him from trying anything!
Troy wants to support the Spina Bifida community by allowing others to experience the
outdoors and hunting. Contact Troy for more
information at (903) 436-1338 or
sanduskyoutpost@gmail.com
SEE LINK ON SPINABIFIDANT.ORG FOR
MORE INFO!
15