Friends of Tennessee's Babies with Special Needs Quarterly
December 2020
Each quarter we'll highlight how we're working to enhance the potential of infants and young children with special needs by offering support to their families and the early intervention professionals who serve them...Because Babies Can't Wait!
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We have reached the end of 2020 – a challenging year for all of us, but also a year that has taught us many new things about ourselves as individuals, as a family, and as an organization. With challenge comes growth in finding new and innovative ways to provide support, encouragement, and help to one another. We certainly thank each of you for your support during this time so we could continue to provide support and services to our precious families.
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On August 22nd, we sponsored over 850 to attend Zoo Knoxville, which was made possible through a grant from Variety - The Children’s Charity, Greater Knoxville Sertoma, and Stowers Cat. On September 12th, over 800 moms, dads, and children were able to visit Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN. Even our most vulnerable babies were able to enjoy looking at the beautiful fish and sea life with wonderment. These both were special days and much appreciated by our families.
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Sadly, our Fantasy of Trees Rudolph’s Remix event had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus, but we put our heads together to think of another way we could help families celebrate the holidays together. On December 7th, 261 families were able to safely enjoy seeing a spectacular light show at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at the Smokies Baseball Stadium in Kodak, TN. It was a magical night enjoyed by all!
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HO! HO! HO! Santa and his elf were able to come visit FOT and read two stories (Frosty the Snowman and Christmas Peek-a-Boo), which were recorded and are posted on our home page at www.fotbabies.org. There is also a Holiday Activity calendar and other resources listed to give families some holiday cheer. A big thank you to Jim Dunn for being our personal Santa and to Marquel at the Rio Revolution Church in Maryville for recording and editing for us.
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Our annual Jazz Baby fundraising event went virtual this year! Thank you to all of our Friends who hosted small private Watch Parties and helped make the evening a huge success!!
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Thank you to Stanley’s Greenhouse who so generously crafted and donated all of the beautiful centerpieces!
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Thank you to all of you who so generously donated items to our Silent and Live Auctions, Auction bidders and winners, and generous donors – we so appreciate you!
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A huge THANK YOU to all of our gracious Sponsors who help make our Programs and Services possible: Jim & Natalie Haslam; Formall; Ann & Steve Bailey; McCamy Construction; Clayton Homes; 21st Mortgage Corporation; Stowers Cat; Dominion Group; UT Medical Center; Dover Development; East Tennessee Children’s Hospital; Shafer Insurance Agency; TIS Insurance Services, Inc.; Farragut E.N.T./Allergy; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; David & Susan Forsberg; King & Denise Purnell; Summit Medical Group; Choice Orthotics and Prosthetics; G&G Interiors; and Carolyn & George McConnaughey.
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Volunteers
A core part of our support to babies and young children with special needs, their families, and the professionals who serve them relies on volunteers to make our programs and events a success. Are you interested in volunteering with Friends of Tennessee's Babies with Special Needs? Register today Because Babies Can't Wait!
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Your Contributions in Action
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Your generous donations (in spite of the pandemic), allowed us to fill over 750 requests for families across the 16 East TN counties that we serve. We provided oral motor tools for 79 children, diapers for 120 families, weighted vests and blankets for 117 children, Respite care for 32 families, adaptive equipment for 200+ children, childcare equipment (high chairs, car seats, cribs, etc.) for 400+ children, and sponsored over 3500 who attended our special events. Thank you for helping to make it possible for us to provide these much needed resources to so many little ones with special needs.
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We receive new requests every week from families who are struggling and need extra resources to meet the needs of their child with special needs. If you are considering making an end of the year gift, we hope you will think of these very special babies.
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Friends of TN’s Babies is celebrating its 25th year as a non-profit organization. To celebrate, Katie and Justin Ellis secretly (and beautifully) refurbished our patio furniture. We were able to present the set to Don Thompson (Volunteer Executive Director who founded FOTB) and our Director of Programs, Teresa McMahan, in honor of their many years of service to help babies with Friends. Don and Teresa – we salute you!
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“We have received funds for respite care, a baby monitor, skin scrub, and have attended many outings/family events. It’s a great organization! We are so blessed by having Friends of TN’s Babies in our lives!”
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“Friends helped provide developmental items that has really helped the twins’ development AND take away some of the financial stress. Our daughter uses the easel on a daily basis and LOVES it!”
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“FOT helped provide shoes needed to properly fit with orthotics. They also provided a bonnet to help keep my daughter’s Hearing Aids in. Thank you!”
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“We attended the event at Ripley’s Aquarium, but were late and mistakenly paid the admission. FOT helped with our finances by reimbursing us with diapers and wipes and made us feel not so alone. We appreciate your caring way – you are more appreciated than you know. We thank you with all of our hearts!”
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Get Involved
Since 1995 Friends of Tennessee’s Babies with Special Needs has existed to provide a bedrock of support to babies and young children with special needs, their families, and the professionals who serve them. We operate entirely on grants and donations, so please consider donating today!
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