NEWSLETTERApr2007

Judy Lynn Rice accepts AADD’s highest honor – the Heart of Gold Award – from AADD Board President Winston Jones at AADD’s annual awards dinner. Judy Lynn, President of the Junior League of Atlanta, Inc., is joined by a few of the many of League members who have volunteered at recreation and social events for AADD and are, left to right, Monica Kurth, Elizabeth Turnipseed, Catherine King, Katherine Penton and Jen Linneman. The Junior League of Atlanta has been a strong supporter of AADD’s recreation programs for the last 10 years, providing thousands of volunteer hours, as well as financial support. (photos by Jim Fitts)

(L) Mr. Russell P. Love, AADD Board member and Partner with McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP, did honors as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

(R) AADD Advisory Board member Jocelyn Dorsey & AADD President Winston Jones with Paul Hogan, President of the Hogan Construction Group, recipient of the Jocelyn Dorsey Community Philanthropy Award.

Peggy Griffin, recipient of the Outstanding Individual Achievement Award, with Winston Jones, AADD President.

Peggy's story was featured in the AADD

March newsletter.

Judy Lynn Rice, President of the Junior League of Atlanta, receiving Heart of Gold award from Winston Jones. The award is specially commissioned from the Fräbel Gallery.

Junior League, Outstanding Individuals & Groups Recognized

At its 2007 annual Heart of Gold awards banquet on April 12th, AADD gave its highest honor, the Heart of Gold Award, to the Junior League of Atlanta. It also honored the achievements and contributions of twelve other individuals and groups:

Pat Cloud - Teacher of the Year Award

Clay Conrad - Employee of the Year Award

Yvonne Fry-Johnson, M.D. - Thomas J. Asher Health & Wellness Award

Peggy Griffin - Outstanding Individual Achievement Award

Cindy Lou Harrington - Vital Service Award

Paul Hogan - Hogan Construction Group - Jocelyn Dorsey Community Philanthropy Award

Shannon Kitchens, SAGE - Vital Service Award

Judy Manning - Bobby Rowan Advocacy Award

Mitch Stallings - Employer of the Year

Ron Wakefield - Tom Graf Award

Donnie Winokur - Tommy Nobis Award

Beth Wright - Vital Service Award

Each of the awards recognizes outstanding and exemplary service and achievement related to fulfillment of the AADD mission of building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for children, adults, and families living with developmental disabilities.”

On presenting the Heart of Gold award to The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. (JLA), AADD Board President Winston Jones said, “For more than a decade, our programs have been strengthened by the active participation and financial support of Junior League of Atlanta members. Their caring and commitment have helped us provide invaluable recreation services that have brought tremendous joy to thousands of people with developmental disabilities.” Junior League of Atlanta President Judy Lynn Rice thanked AADD for the award and said “the Junior League of Atlanta is proud that AADD is one of its most sought-after placements, if not the number-one placement, requested for volunteer service by our members. Our hearts are full of love for this organization and the work you do. Yours is the true heart of gold.”

Also participating in narrating or presenting awards were: Chris Schroder, Annie B. Smith, Lisa Blanco, Susan Berch, Perrine Patrick, Jocelyn Dorsey, Jim Outman, Bobby Rowan, Tommy Nobis, Thomas J. Asher, and Tom Graf.

click to

VIEW THE SCRAPBOOK

OF PICTURES FROM THE HEART OF GOLD EVENT

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2. Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13th !

Special Way to Honor Mothers on Their Day

Consider honoring the "Moms" in your life with a special donation to AADD in their honor. AADD will promptly mail an acknowledgment card to the mothers you specify, and your gift will help mothers of children with developmental disabilities, and also help prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Above: Iyal Winokur and his mother Donnie Winokur.

A special appeal from Donnie Winokur, AADD volunteer, is being sent to many AADD friends and supporters. You can also make your special honoring donation on-line, at the following: HONOR THE MOMS IN YOUR LIFE.

For a donation of $50.00, you can honor up to 5 mothers, and for a donation of $150.00, up to 10. An illustration of the card appears at left.

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3. Finding Homes for Families

Living with Developmental Disabilities

~Mary Yoder, CAE

While home ownership is the dream for many people, just having a place for the family to stay together is the dream of too many people.

Each year, at AADD, we meet several families living with developmental disabilities who are homeless. Our Outreach Specialists identify this challenge as one of the most stressful aspects of their work in supporting families. About 18 months ago, AADD began working with the Housing Opportunity Program in an effort to address the housing needs of these families. Staff persevered and just a few minutes ago I got the long awaited message that two families have been approved and will be moving into apartments. In the words of the Outreach Specialist, “Thank God, they finally have homes. They will move out of the shelter into apartments next week. At times I wondered if the red tape would ever get worked out and it looks like it did.”

Tomorrow this Outreach Specialist and two mothers will tackle things like furniture, dishes, and linens. They are confident - together they will make it work. I am confident, too, because many times I have seen our Outreach Specialists work their “magic,” magic that is possible because they are tenacious individuals who know how to work in collaboration with a variety of resources.

Many people at AADD will sleep better tonight knowing the future includes a stable home for these two families. And as we sleep, we will hold tight to the same dream for other families. You can be a part of making dreams come true by making donations of used household items, or by financially supporting our work.

Mary Yoder, CAE

AADD Executive Director

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4. Personal Safety Tips

The AADD Self Advocates hosted a special Personal Safety Lunch & Learn on March 30, at the AADD offices. Guests included AADD program participants and staff. Officers Brent Schierbaum and Cherina Leeks of the Atlanta Police Department presented information and answered questions.

At the close of the training program participants discussed what they learned, including:

§ “Don’t put your stuff where people can see it.”

§ “Don’t give out your address and stuff like that”

§ § “People are tricky; don’t show off your money.”

§ § “Always lock your doors.”

§ § “Now I know my precinct office phone number

and I can call for help.”

§ § “There is a special number (in Atlanta)

(404-658-6666) to call if it is not an emergency

and you want the police to know something.”

Officers Brent Schierbaun and Cherina Leeks, of the Atlanta Police Department, held the audience's full attention as they discussed personal safety measures.

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5. Support Group in Lawrenceville

Support group for parents of special needs children & youth - meets monthly at Lawrenceville 1st United Methodist Church, Lawrenceville. Our next meeting is May 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 at the church. For more information email Lisa Bryan - wldawgs89@charter.net Return to Top

6. Fearless, Tireless and Relentless, Volunteer Extraordinaire

He entertains us with his unique perspective on the world. He challenges us with his knowledge of sports. He engages us in debates over issues, both small and weighty. And since 1996, he has served as a volunteer with AADD, logging over 1400 volunteer hours.

"David is willing to help however he can, whether it is folding brochures or collating material, or hitting up his friends for donations. He is a great spokesperson for AADD. As a greeter at the Legacy of Leadership breakfast he made lots of new friends for AADD,” said Riki Bolster, former coordinator of volunteers.

Since he is a family member of an AADD staff person, David does not qualify for the organization's annual awards, but that doesn’t stop him. In addition to helping in the office, David has taken the lead as a table captain at AADD Legacy breakfasts, raised money for and participated in the FAS Run/Walk, offered his advice on films for the AADD Film Series, and is an active member of the Self Advocates Group.

David Hardy, "supervolunteer,"celebrates his 29th

Monday, April 16, which happened to be David’s 29^th birthday, was declared David Day at AADD. Each person who came to the office that day was given a David mask and invited to celebrate with him that afternoon. Over delicious chocolate mousse cake, staff persons were challenged in basketball, one of David’s favorite sports – in this case, Chair Nerf Basketball. Return to Top

7. New Cookbook for People with Developmental Disabilities

AADD does not endorse any products or services. However, on occasion, we are provided with information that may be of interest to our readers. We recently received the following message.

Hello. I just visited your agency's website and thought you might be interested in the following resource:

I created a cookbook for people with developmental disabilities who can read. After working with people in their homes, teaching them independent living skills, I discovered there was a gap in cooking resources. I could find picture cookbooks, but not word cookbooks that simplified the cooking process. So, I created a cookbook to fill the gap. The result was that people I worked with, who needed my assistance cooking before, could now cook independently when using my cookbook.

The cookbook is called "Cooking Made Easy." Every recipe is coded from 1-5 according to level of difficulty. Recipes are written in large print, for easier reading. Recipes are broken down into detailed, easy to understand steps. Dollar sign codes on each recipe signify cost of ingredients.

There are 88 recipes, divided into the following categories: Appetizers/Beverages, Soups/Salads, Vegetables, Main Dishes, Breads/Rolls, Desserts, and Breakfast.

The cookbook cost is $19.95 per cookbook. Shipping in the U.S. is $4.95 per order, and quantity discounts are available for orders of 5 or more books. My website contains more information: http://www.cookingmadeeasy.org

Or, if you'd like me to mail you out a flyer and order form, please let me know:

Eileen Laird P.O. Box 2117 Boone, NC 28607 eileenlaird@bellsouth.net

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8. Recreation - Upcoming Events and Activities

-sponsored & co-sponsored by AADD

Bocce

Wednesday morning bocce will start up mid May at Mason Mill Park. (Toco Hills Area)

Bocce is an easy, slow paced, laid back type of a game that’s fun for all.

If you are interested or just want more information call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.

Cycling

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

OUR TEAM STARTS OUTDOOR TRAINING AT STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

Monday, March 26^th.

Our group is looking for riders. You don't have to be a hardcore cyclist. Everybody rides at their own pace. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.

If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.

Mondays 6:30 PM

Ages 14 and above

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Cycling - Join AADD's Team in the

Bicycle Ride Across Georgia 2007 (BRAG)

354 miles Columbus GA to Savannah GA

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

This year, AADD’s cycling team will again participate in BRAG, and we are looking for riders for our Special Olympics team. We will train, evaluate, ride with, and support riders on this ride. We’ve had good success with taking riders who can only ride a few miles and training them to ride between thirty and sixty miles a day.

This is a week-long bike ride from Columbus GA to Savannah GA on June 9^th through June 16^th.

We have our own support van and driver that follows us along the route for those riders who need extra support, and many do. We camp each evening, along with many of the other riders on BRAG. We have our own camping equipment. We will stay in a hotel for two of those nights; we do like a good bed and air conditioning occasionally.

If you are curious, give Dan a call at 404-326-5345. Also check the BRAG website at www.brag.org.

Fitness

Tuesdays mornings

East Lake YMCA

Come to the E Lake YMCA ant work out with us. We’ll work out on the fitness machines, walk or run and practice with free weights for Powerlifting competition.

If you are interested or just want more information call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.

Happy Group (Social Clubs)

Meets twice monthly at several Metro Atlanta YMCAs, usually on Saturday afternoons, depending upon the activity.

Takes field trips such as Braves games, dinner and a movie, dances, plays, “wish to fish,” Hawks basketball games (we don't sit courtside), paint your own pottery, etc.

The newest location will be in the South Metro Area through the Fayette Co. Parks & Recreation and Fayette YMCA Dept. Contact Debbie Parrish 770-461-9714 ext. 5644

Contact Happy Club Voice Mail 404-687-2521

Swimming

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

AADD’s Special Olympics swim team will start practice Tuesday, October 24th, with subsequent practices on Tuesday evenings, 7:30 to 8:30 PM. We are lucky enough to practice at the Emory University swimming pool. Also, members from Emory University swim team help coach our team.

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Volleyball

AADD co-sponsors several volleyball teams and competitions.

DeKalb’s team start date: March 22 at Gresham Park. Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us or call 770-671-1728

Volleyball in Gwinnett starts in February at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cole Dr @ Five Forks Trickum Rd. Contact Lynette Swanson at Lynnette_Swanson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us or call 678-985-3592.

Fayette County also has a team. Location and time TBA. Contact Debbie Parrish dparrish@fayettecountyga.gov or call 770-716-4325.

Volleyball-

Statewide Volleyball Tournament

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

AADD / Special Olympics is hosting a statewide Special Olympics volleyball tournament on May 5, 2007. This is our 6^th year and we have expanded the tournament using Emory University’s Woodruff PE Center, the same location as the Summer Games are held. All Divisions welcomed.

If you are interested in attending this tournament, please contact Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345 or 404-881-9777 ext. 216. Or email dan@aadd.org.

Walking Club

Mondays

You can’t beat an afternoon walk at Stone Mountain Park in the spring.

5:30 PM

Everybody walks at their own pace. Our goal is to work up to walk a full lap around the mountain (About 5 miles). However we don’t expect walkers to walk a full lap the first day. We have a plan for each walker. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.

If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.

Ages 14 and above

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

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9. Recreation Activities & Resources

-sponsored by other community groups

Help Us Update This List

The Junior League of Atlanta and AADD are partnering together to update this list. If you know of an activity or have an activity you would like to include in this list, please contact Dan Evatt at dan@aadd.org or call the AADD office at 404-881-9777 ext. 216.

Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts designed for children with special needs

Includes soccer, volleyball, Miracle Baseball and Blaze Sports Goal Ball.

Aseelah House and her staff do a great job; give them a chance and try out some of their activities.

Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us or call 770-671-1728

Caglewood

Interested in sleeping in a tent, nature activities hiking, and backpacking? Or maybe you would like to spend the weekend in cabins at some of Georgia’s great state parks. If so, this may be a good program for you. Costs available from Caglewood for various programs.

Check out the Caglewood web site at www.caglewood.com/.

Caglewood Inc. 455 Friars Head Inc. Suwanee Ga. 30024

Tel: 770-402-9355 Fax: 770-441-3406 Email: info@caglewood.org

Cobb County Residents

Contact the Cobb Co. Parks & Recreation Cultural Affairs, Therapeutic Recreation Services Unit for lots of activities. They have social clubs, special trips, dances, camps, and various sport teams.

555 Nickajack Rd, Mableton, GA 30126 770-819-3215 Fax 770-819-3218

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Activity Guide

The DeKalb County Department of Parks and Recreation has published their new activity guide for this Winter & Spring. Aseelah House, TR Program Coordinator, has provided a copy in PDF format. You can print your own copy at this location: ACTIVITY GUIDE. It is PDF format, so you will need Adobe Reader or similar software to open it. (It's 8 pages long, so give it a minute to open.) If you have further questions, Ms. House can be contacted at: (770) 671-1728.

DeKalb County Recreation - Other Activities and Events

Check out great events and activities in DeKalb County. Some activities include:

Adventure Series Ropes Course, camping, and indoor rock climbing.

DeKalb - Social Club

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department has started two new social clubs. One is at Midway Park for 13- through 16-year olds, and the other is at Browns Mill Park for 16+ year- olds.

Contact Aseelah House at 770-671-1728 or email at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us.

Metro Miracle League (Buddy Baseball & Bowling)

Interested in Buddy Baseball and Bowling? Check out the North Metro Miracle League’s web site at www.nmml.net.

North - Special Olympics in Alpharetta (Special K’s)

Interested in Special Olympics activities in the north metro area? The Special K’s have a lot of sports to offer; aquatics, track & field, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, basketball, long distance running & walking, bocce, golf, tennis, and cheerleading are the sports Debbie Currere has in the Alpharetta area.

Contact Debbie Currere at 770-649-0070

Rockdale County Residents

Rockdale is rockin’. Check with Tom McPike, Rockdale County's Parks and Recreation Department recreation therapist. He has started and expanded many programs. A few of the activities include: after school programs, bocce, Halloween Party, Beep Baseball, Miracle Baseball League, bowling, sled hockey, social clubs, wheel chair basketball, basketball, cooking, swimming, soccer, Christmas Parade and Party, and Mother- Daughter Spa Day.

Call Tom McPike at 770-981-6306 and see what’s new.

Roswell Department of Parks & Recreation

Roswell offers a variety of activities throughout the year. They are mostly geared for ages 18 and up but have children's activities periodically. For more information Contact Mary Rummel at 770-641-3950 email mrummell@ci.roswell.ga.us. The Roswell website is www.roswellgov.com.

SASSY (A Fun Family Group)

This group in South DeKalb County meets several times a month for social activities.

They meet as a family, parents and children, for picnics, parties, bowling, and even trips to Disney World.

Contact: BJ Kelly 770-987-9171

Voice Mail 770-969-9571

South Metro Residents

Check out Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department Therapeutic Programs.

Special Olympics Teams, Happy Club, and social activities are just a few of the activities Debbie and her group have for South Metro Atlanta residents.

Contact Debbie Parrish at 770-716-4325

Summer Camp

If you are thinking about a summer camp for Summer, start looking now! Now is the perfect time to start looking. Go to the excellent GLRS summer directory at www.glrs.org, then go to the link for “GLRS Publications.” If you need help looking for a camp give AADD’s recreation manager Dan Evatt a call. He will be glad to assist you in finding a camp.

Call Dan at 404-881-9777 ext 216.

Tennis

Special Populations 2007 Spring Tennis Academy

Training is free, Racquets are furnished. All levels welcome.

Special Populations Tennis Program 205 Axton Ct. Roswell, GA 30076

770-740-8723

770-751-9469 Fax

Email: marymillersmith@hotmail.com

www.specialpopstennis.com Register Online

Locations:

East Roswell Park 9000 Fouts Rd Roswell GA 30076 (770) 594-6134

Training Day/Time: Mondays @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Start Date: March 19th End Date: May 7th

Fair Oaks Tennis Center 1460 West Booth Rd Ext Marietta GA 30008 (770) 528-8480

Training Day/Time: Saturdays @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm