Because of new state and federal rules and guidelines regarding meetings, we are currently suspending our monthly parent meetings. We have many valuable resources to share with parents and are posting regularly on Spaulding's Facebook page and online at Spaulding.org. Please check in often and let us know what you would like to see.
Staying Healthy
Important information and tips on staying healthy can be found at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. These include:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly:
From person-to-person; and between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
We have put together a book drive for our families and children in our foster care and adoption programs.
We would love your help in making this happen.
We have created an Amazon Wish List of books that cater to our client’s needs (i.e. - topics including foster care, adoption, ADHD, trauma, mindfulness, anger, anxiety, etc.).
Please consider donating a book from the list, and/or sharing the list with your friends and family. Click here for details.
As Frederick Douglass said, "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."
Rescheduling
Annette & Company 40th Anniversary Gala
The Gala to benefit Spaulding for Children scheduled for April 19 is being postponed until the fourth quarter of 2020. We all will look forward to being together then for a most special evening. In the meantime, please read about how learning to dance can enhance a child’s life in the following article.
Annette & Company Through the Years
Kasey Weiss started dancing at the age of 7. She began with jazz then added tap, ballet, and then joined the junior and senior chorus of Annette & Company. She danced with Mark Bergasse – Annette’s son.
Kasey said after dancing she knew she never wanted to do anything else – no other sport or activity brought her such joy or created such a community of family. When a broken ankle forced her to stop after her freshman year of high school – it left a huge hole in her life.
“I practically lived there (the dance school) every day," Kasey said. "They became my family.”
When she was raising her kids, they made the annual pilgrimage to the Nutcracker ballet and nightly dancing was a must.
“We turned up the music every night and the kids would just let loose,” Kasey said.
Today Kasey’s 11-year-old son takes hip hop dance lessons with Mark’s son - everything coming full circle. Her 6-year-old daughter, who started at age 4 with jazz, has since added ballet, tap and hip hop and is now a member of their new mini company group.
Dancing has built confidence in the Weiss family and in hundreds of students through the years. Now studies link dancing in one’s younger years to a lower incidence of cognitive problems later in life.
But for so many, dancing at Annette & Company is something they can’t imagine not having in their lives. You can enjoy Annette & Company dancers at the fundraiser for Spaulding for Children tentatively scheduled for December.
Thank you in advance to Annette and Mark and everyone at the studio for enhancing so many lives all these years. Thanks also for selecting Spaulding as your charity for this year’s Gala.
Families in Bloom Rescheduled
In accordance with the State of Michigan and Federal CDC guidelines set to meet the challenges presented by the Coronavirus / COVID-19 national emergency, we are postponing the Families in Bloom event that was scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020.
We will inform you, immediately, upon learning when we can host a rescheduled Families in Bloom.
Our highest priority is the safety of our children and families, as well as the well-being of the greater community we serve. Please know that during the national emergency, Spaulding for Children will continue to provide services and support for our families.
Gardner-White Charituesday Contest
Spaulding for Children is part of this week’s #Charituesday contest at Gardner White. We are one of two non-profit organizations from the Fox 2 Gift Giving Guide who are competing for a chance to win a $1,000 gift certificate to Gardner-White. No matter who wins- we both will receive at least a $500 gift certificate to Gardner-White and the winning organization will receive a $1,000 gift certificate. Click on the image to vote before March 24. You can vote each day.
Please keep us posted about news you'd like to share with our colleagues. We'd also like to know your thoughts about our newsletter. Email our Editor, Cheryl Gist: cgist@spaulding.org. Thank you!
