...and every mom who has a son or daughter with a disability. Happy Mothers Day.
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Spread the Message, Grassroots Style!
About a month ago, we received a message from Anna Perales, wondering when the posters would be ready. Anna loved participating in the Central Park Challenge with her two sons last year and walking to honor the memory of their beloved Grandma Betty. They couldn't wait to begin spreading the word for this year!
"We have already been preparing the ground work by talking to local businesses," Anna said in an email. "I have also received the ok from Soup Spot (Cafe 31 on 31st street). They told me they would hang it too; a lot of people have soup there. Once we get the posters I will take the boys around the neighbourhood to put them up!"
Hanging posters and distributing brochures to local businesses is a great way for the whole family, including youngsters, to get involved with the Central Park Challenge and spread the word. It's a wonderful opportunity to tell business owners and their customers about the great work that YAI does to help people with disabilities live independently in their communities. By hanging up posters and brochures in your community, you are advocating for people with disabilities!
Email us at cpc@yai.org with your name, address and how many posters and brochure stands you would like and we'll mail them to you.
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Why We Walk: Bakery Edition
By day, Meilan Chinn is the Payroll Manager here at YAI and is distinguished at the coffee machine by her million-volt smile. But Meilan doesn't stop working for YAI when she goes home at night. For many years, she has harnessed her passion for baking into the beloved Sweet Treat of the Week fundraiser at YAI's Central Office. Over the years, Meilan's Sweet Treats have raised thousands of dollars for the Central Park Challenge and now she's spreading her message of generosity and compassion to the youngsters in her life.
Since my Sweet Treats and home-made baked goods have been in such high demand at YAI, my trips for supplies have become more and more frequent. So much so that my weekend visits to my nephews, Christopher and Nicky, began to include routine trips to Walmart and Sam's Club to replenish the candy, flour, sugar, butter and eggs I need to keep Sweet Treats alive. After the first few trips of "massive candy and treats" buying, the boys started to question why I am "always" buying so much stuff. So I explained to them that I do a lot of fundraising for the organization that I work for, which is a great cause because it helps children (and I said children so they could relate) who a have learning disabilities and need extra help.
Immediately, they jumped the gun and laid the guilt trip on me: "So you are buying all this stuff for other children and not us?" Ever since that comment, I've been trying to explain to them what fundraising means and how it makes me feel to be a part of something so worthwhile, but of course kids will be kids and every time we made that trip to Walmart I hear the same old thing: "She loves them more than us."
Finally, last year, I asked the boys if they would like to come to the Central Park Challenge and walk with me and meet some of these "other" children of mine and the little one, Nicky, said "yes." He woke up at the crack of dawn, my brother dropped him off at my house and we rode the subway in, he did the walk, participated in the activities, met tons of YAI staff and participants.
At the end of the day on our way home, Nicky (holding the banner in the picture) turned to me and said, "Now, I understand why you do it, I wanna help, can I come back next year and do this with you again?"
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Since my Sweet Treats and home-made baked goods have been in such high demand at YAI, my trips for supplies have become more and more frequent. So much so that my weekend visits to my nephews, Christopher and Nicky, began to include routine trips to Walmart and Sam's Club to replenish the candy, flour, sugar, butter and eggs I need to keep Sweet Treats alive. After the first few trips of "massive candy and treats" buying, the boys started to question why I am "always" buying so much stuff. So I explained to them that I do a lot of fundraising for the organization that I work for, which is a great cause because it helps children (and I said children so they could relate) who a have learning disabilities and need extra help.
Immediately, they jumped the gun and laid the guilt trip on me: "So you are buying all this stuff for other children and not us?" Ever since that comment, I've been trying to explain to them what fundraising means and how it makes me feel to be a part of something so worthwhile, but of course kids will be kids and every time we made that trip to Walmart I hear the same old thing: "She loves them more than us."
Finally, last year, I asked the boys if they would like to come to the Central Park Challenge and walk with me and meet some of these "other" children of mine and the little one, Nicky, said "yes." He woke up at the crack of dawn, my brother dropped him off at my house and we rode the subway in, he did the walk, participated in the activities, met tons of YAI staff and participants.
At the end of the day on our way home, Nicky (holding the banner in the picture) turned to me and said, "Now, I understand why you do it, I wanna help, can I come back next year and do this with you again?"
Do you like what you read on our blog, but do not have the time or access to visit it everyday? why not sign up to receive our blog updates via RSS or e-mail!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
This year's biggest team? It could be yours!
What a great feeling.
Oh, but it gets better: THERE ARE AWARDS. Yes, we are talking official Gold Star, A++ recognition for your commitment to people with disabilities.
Last year, Broadview Networks, our wonderful sponsor, won the Largest Corporate Team Award. Broadview employees and families made a tremendous showing, as you can see in the picture up top.
At this point it's anybody's game. YOUR TEAM could achieve any of the following prestigious distinctions and now is the time to start!
- Largest Corporate Team
- Largest Family Team
- Largest YAI Network Program Team
Of course, we also recognize our top fundraising teams.
- Top Corporate Team
- Top Family Team
- Top YAI Network Program Team
- Top Fundraiser Overall
Let us know how you're doing in your recruitment efforts and we'll feature YOUR TEAM on this very blog.
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
East Islip Community Rallies Around YAI
YAI Network’s staff is known for their creativity when fundraising for the Central Park Challenge, held this year on June 5. This year Melissa Weber, CPC Captain at Comack Day Habilitation in East Islip, Long Island sought to reach out to families. When Melissa learned that the restaurant, Shandon Court was owned by the family of Kate, a Comack Day Habilitation program participant, she was inspired by the opportunity to outreach in a new and different way.
“The event was so inspiring and a great success!” said Melissa. “I couldn’t have done it without the Finleys and the staff at Comack, especially my co-captain Brittany Barclay.”
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Monday, March 29, 2010
Fundraise with Long Island Employment Services’ and Lord & Taylor!
On Tuesday April 13, join the Long Island Employment Services’ efforts to fundraise for the Central Park Challenge. At Lord & Taylor’s Garden City location, supporters can purchase coupon packs for $5 each. Lauren Siegel can answer any questions at (516) 338-4450.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Why I Run: A Mother's Motivation
CPC: Have you participated at the CPC before?
JW: Last year was the first year I ran the 5k at the CPC and I was a little sluggish.
CPC: Are you new to running?
JW: I am an asthmatic and wanted to see if I could become a runner; it really improved my asthma.
CPC: What motivated you to choose the CPC as your goal race?
JW: I have run in other races and I find that the CPC race is the most inspiring and supportive with the volunteers cheering everyone on. A lot of other races have great support at the start and the finish, but the CPC has volunteers cheering on runners all through the course.
CPC: Can you speak to the importance of physical fitness for moms?
JW: I have a 2 year old daughter and a supportive husband, who is also a runner. Now that both my husband and I are in our thirties with two children, being healthy is very important to us. Not just for ourselves but as an example to our two girls.
CPC: How are you training so far and what is your favorite aspect of it?
JW: I am five weeks postpartum and have been training for two weeks for the 5k to get back into pre-baby shape. I am using the "couch to 5k" running program, an eight week walk run program that has you progressively running more than walking until you can run without stopping. I've found this program to be less intimidating than others and it has really helped me to stay with it. I am a less stressed, happier and healthier person because of it.
CPC: Do you have training tips for other moms with babies or young children?
JW: The advice that I’d give other moms would be to get out there and try; it will improve your happiness and well being. Also, set a goal and run for a cause that you believe in.
CPC: What are you most looking forward to?
JW: I look forward to participating in the 5k for many more years and raising money and awareness for YAI and the wonderful work they do.
Show your support for Jennifer or join her team.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Why We Walk: Team Schafler's Charge
The YAI Network provides life changing services to tens of thousands of people with disabilities and their families each day. Children and adults with disabilities rely on the YAI Network for basic services such as preschools, health care, housing, job training and more in order to reach their fullest potential and be active members of our community.
The folks at YAI’s Schafler House have become my second family. It has been a blessing to work with amazing people. I look forward to coming to work everyday.
More than ever the YAI Network needs your support to make sure that they can continue to provide people with disabilities with the services that they need. That is the reason our team is committed to doing all that we can to raise funds and awareness for this important cause.
We are so happy to be making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and that is why we will be participating in the Central Park Challenge event on Saturday, June 5th 2010. We would love for you to join our team or make a donation to support our efforts.
Thank you.
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