Friday, January 5, 2018

YCPO - January 2018


Good Morning fellow Kiwanians!
Happy New Year!

Fact: Medical equipment, treatment and facilities designed for adults just don't fit when treating an ill or injured child.
Fact: It costs around four times as much money to treat a child as it does to treat an adult with the same ailment.

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS AND KIWANIS….A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals was founded with the sole purpose to help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals and keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.
The organization was founded by Marie Osmond and her family, and John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake.
Kiwanis International was the first association based sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, joining the charity as a partner in 1982. Key Club and the many other arms of Kiwanis joined later on as they became recognized programs of Kiwanis.
In 1997, Key Club made Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals an official charity of choice for their members to support. Kiwanis-raised funds have enabled the networks' 170 member hospitals to provide medical care, research, and education to benefit children. Since 1983 Kiwanis has donated more than $25 million to CMN hospitals. CMN hospitals train 60% of pediatricians and 80% of all pediatric specialists.

HOW CMN HOSPITALS WORK?

To provide the best care for kids, children’s hospitals rely on donations and community support, as Medicaid and insurance programs do not fully cover the cost of care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped fill those funding gaps by raising more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through Miracle Balloon icon campaigns. Its various
fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.

EVERY DAY CMN HOSPITALS TREAT:
        Kids with Trauma 16,200
        Kids with Diabetes 935
        Kids with Cancer 2,128
        Kids for Surgeries 2329
        Babies with NICU 925

   DID YOU KNOW?
   •     62 Children enter a CMN Hospital every minute
   •     1 IN 10 Children in North America are treated by a CMN Hospital each year
   •     32 MILLION Patients visits are provided for 10 million kids every year by CMN Hospitals

There are 6 CMN Hospitals in New England.
•     Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA. serves eastern MA and eastern                  and southern New Hampshire
•     Baystate Children's Hospital, Springfield, MA.
•     Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland,           ME. serving children and families from all over northern New England.
•    Vermont Children Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT.
•    Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT.
•    Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence RI.

How Can Kiwanis Clubs Help?
If your Club is located near a CMN Hospital, contact an administrator and ASK how your Kiwanis Club can help. Many volunteers are needed to help at the information desk etc.
Here is a brief description of the two main roles which are open to volunteer applicants.
Inpatient/Clinic Volunteers - Interact with patients, siblings and families at the bedside, in the playroom or waiting room area to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate play and socialization which may include holding infants/toddler, engaging in art, reading and taking part in structured activities with patients.  Additionally, the volunteer would assist their supervisor with any other needs, such as unit programming, preparing materials for special events and helping organize and maintain a safe, clean environment while assisting with toy washing.
Customer Service Volunteers - Create welcoming atmosphere at main entrance of hospital and provide way finding assistance to all patients, families and guests.  Assist patients and families at time of discharge from the hospital.  Additionally, customer service volunteers engage with patients and siblings through play-based activities in the Hale Family Center for Families.
Volunteers are allowed to play with children or to complete non-medical               tasks. 
    Fundraising ideas:
          1) Organize a "Miracle Mile of Quarters" fundraiser
          2) Organize "Duck Races" with your Key Club
          3) Sell "Miracle Balloons"
          4) Organize a Blood Drive/give blood.

   Support -      

Celebrate National Pancake Day® at IHOP® and get a FREE short stack of our Original Buttermilk Pancakes!
February 27,2018

In return, IHOP asks that you make a donation to their charitable partners. Every stack served helps reach the goal of raising $3.5 million for children battling critical illnesses. Proceeds support CMN Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO LOCAL CMN HOSPITALS!
Official National Pancake Day® Volunteer
On February 27, 2018, club members can support National Pancake Day by serving as ambassadors to encourage restaurant patrons to support Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Beginning each January, watch for
information from Kiwanis International about registering to volunteer on National Pancake Day.

For more information go to:


Sincerely,
Ava Adams, District Coordinator
Young Children Priority One (Y.C.P.O.)
Scarborough, Maine Kiwanis Club
New England and Bermuda District!









Thursday, December 14, 2017

YCPO - December 2017

UPDATE: LAUNDROMAT READING CORNER PROJECT


I hope you  had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! I enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you at Fall Conference in North Conway N. H.  It was a fun time, and I especially enjoyed your  enthusiasm for Young Children  Priority One.

 I am writing to follow up on the Reading Corners for Laundromats Project. When you submit a local zip code to Sara Watson, (swatson@readynation.org), you will hear back from her to let you know if there are any laundromats who are members of the Coin Landry  Association(CLA) in your area. It may happen that there are no members of CLA in your requested area. Please don’t give up on this project! 


Sara Watson will send you an introductory letter about the project and other information which can be shared with the laundromat owner in your area. Plan B is to approach a laundromat owner with the given Information from Sara, explain the project and the Kiwanis Club’s role , and hopefully working together the Reading Corner can be set up. It’s important to contact the owner of the laundromat, and not a worker or manager! You may also try to contact the owner with the information from ReadyNation via USPS with your contact information, It’s also appropriate to talk about Kiwanis and our mission. It’s very possible the laundromat owner may become a Potential New Member(PNM)


I know some of you have approached Laundromat owners directly and are well on you way towards setting up a Reading Corner. Please remember you can  purchase a kit (bookshelf, books, rug and posters) through ReadyNation. Contact Sara Watson, and she will direct you on buying the kit of materials.

 LINKS will be provided to order:

1.  the book holder (2’ x 1’)

 2.  rug (3’ x 5’ – optional if space is tight)

3.    books ages 1-5 yrs. of age  are available from

FirstBook

Scholastic Books (scholastic.com)

Reading Warehouse (readingwarehouse.com) for a Bargain Book Box 25 books for $45

or gently used books may be used.

4.  Posters and sign asking that the books remain at the laundromat

5.    Form to get permission to take photos and use them for publicity purposes

GREAT NEWS! The Kiwanis Foundation of New England, through their Grant Program, has pre-approved   $1600
funding to help pay for the kits for the Reading Corners(total cost per kit ).A Kiwanis Club must fill out the KFNE Grant application with specific information about the laundromat where the Reading Corner will be set up. Submit the completed application to grants@kfne.org. The Club will receive $200 to buy the kit from ReadyNation. The grant  money will be distributed on a “first come, first serve” basis. Each Club may apply only once for this assistance.

Once the Reading Corner is established the Kiwanis Club MUST  submit  to KFNE:

A minimum of eight (8) 4”x 6” non-returnable color photos capturing the event/project in various phases, along with a summary, at the completion of the project.

There are approximately 135 Kiwanis Clubs in the New England Distrct. Wouldn’t it be great if we set up 135 Laundromat Reading Corners? Thank you for your support of Young Children Priority One.

If I can be of help, please contact me. 

Sincerely,
Av a  Adams, District Coordinator
Young Children Priority One
Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club
New England and Bermuda District


Thursday, October 26, 2017

YCPO - November 2017 - SPECIAL

I am writing this article to inform all Kiwanis members of a new, exciting and innovative project,  Brain  Charging Stations, which creates Reading Corners in Laundromats to boost Early Literacy,
Numeracy, and Parent Engagement with Young Children. ..A Perfect Fit with Kiwanis’ “Young Children Priority One”.
PLEASE NOTE: this is updated information Isince the publication of the Yankiwanian.

One of the most powerful ways to promote early literacy and parent engagement with their young children is providing materials that encourage both in venues where parents spend time with their children. This idea is most effective in venues where parents need to go for regular chores, that are easily accessible and not intimidating, where there isn’t much stimulation available and where parents have significant “down time” that could be used for reading with young children.  A prime candidate for these venues are laundromats, and Kiwanis International and ReadyNation are partnering with the Coin Laundry Association (CLA) to set up reading corners, or “Brain Charging Stations” in neighborhoods that serve local families.  
Each station would consist of an attractive book holder; a rug that promotes letters, numbers and geometric shapes; and books. The wall around the station would be decorated with posters specifically for laundromats, as well materials from another organization, Read Aloud 15 MINUTES, that convey the importance of early reading.  From that basic foundation, sponsors could do more too if they desire, such as conducting Storytime sessions.  


From ReadyNation:

Brain Charging Station: Promoting Early Literacy and Winning Customers

Learning to read and count at an early age has a big impact on children’s achievement.  
Reading aloud to children, starting from birth, helps them grow to be successful adults.  
Laundromats can help their customers, their communities and their bottom line by providing spaces that encourage reading to young children - at no cost!  
Please allow us to create an attractive space for children’s books in your local laundromat - for FREE.

Benefits for the Laundromat Host
★ Attract customers and distinguish your laundromat
★ Provide productive distraction for customer’s children
★ Contribute to improving children’s literacy
★ Enhance reputation as a good corporate citizen

The Laundromat Host will
★    Agree to host the Brain Charging Station for one year.
       (renewable at that time)
★ Provide space - book holder is 2’x1’, and rug is 3’x4.5’
★ Volunteer provides the book holder, rug and posters bought through                     ReadyNation, Cost: $200-$300 for the Kit
★ Keep space tidy, encourage books to remain at laundromat
★ Allow volunteer to take photos for publicity purposes

The Volunteer (Kiwanis Club) will
★ Set up reading station with book holder, books, rug, posters
★ Visit at least monthly, for one year, to tidy up and refresh books.  Volunteer will secure new or lightly-used books.  Books should not have religious, political or controversial themes.
★ Take photos of setup, including children (with parents’ signed permission form) and give to ReadyNation and Kiwanis International for publicity
★ In partnership with laundromat owner, volunteer may host read-aloud time or other activities.

Inexpensive new books can be ordered at www.firstbook.org.or Scholastic books.  Sponsors can get used books through donations from employees or civic groups, as well as purchased at thrift stores, libraries, etc.  Kiwanis International and ReadyNation will publicize the efforts with their website, e-newsletter and social media.  

HOW TO GET STARTED. (Update since Yankiwanian article)

Kiwanis would send Sara Watson (at swatson@readynation.org) the Zip codes in which they wish to work.  ReadyNation will ask Coin Laundry Association CLA) if they have members in that Zip code.  If so, CLA will send the contact information to Sara, who will send to the Kiwanis member.  Sara will provide text for an email that has been reviewed by CLA as attractive to laundromat owners.  The Kiwanis member would reach out to the laundromat owner.  If the Kiwanis member doesn't get a response, Sara will ask CLA to nudge the laundromat owner personally and encourage them to participate.   If the CLA does not have a member in that Zip code, Kiwanis would need to approach the laundromat themselves, but at least they would have a flyer from ReadyNation that explains the project and has the CLA logo. 

ReadyNation asks Kiwanis members to use the basic (and inexpensive) supplies that they have identified (flyers, book holder, rug, books, posters.)

The club then becomes the volunteer with a committee created to start the project and follow through. One or more members of the club now contacts the owner and reassures that person that this is a program to benefit young children in the area and that it will not have any cost to the laundromat/owner. ReadyNation basically provides a kit ($200-$300) to include an inexpensive book holder, initial book set, rug and the posters which have been developed specifically for this program. The Kiwanis logo can be added to any materials.
 If you have questions, please email me at faithava2008@yahoo.com
or you may contact
Sara Watson, Director, ReadyNation, swatson@readynation.org, 240-893-3063
or Jeff Gardner, Chairman of CLA, at jeff@thelaundrydoctor.com




Monday, October 2, 2017

YCPO - October 2017

Good Morning Fellow Kiwanians!

I am the  New England District Chair for YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE(YCPO)  with an emphasis on infants and young children.

                                             Mission and Goals
                                                      ABCs
Address the needs of young children prenatal through age 5.
Brain development occurs at the fastest rate from conception  through age 3.
Commit to completing at least 2 new projects annually
                                    
FOCUS AREAS
                                   Maternal and Infant Health
                                   Child Care and Development
                                   Parent Education and Support
                                   Safety and Pediatric Trauma

This month I am focusing on materials available from:
 KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA INSTITUTE (KPTI)  at Tufts Medical  Center in Boston.  Materials for YCPO projects will be provided from KPTI  at no charge to your club.  More information and an order form can be found at: www.kpti.org

Materials available for  service projects:
1. EARLY CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION KITS include Bath  Safety Duck to test water temperature, Car seat information sticker,  Car seat and seat belt information card, Shaken baby information card, "Keeping the Promise" window safety brochure, Burn prevention brochure, Home safety checklist booklet, Electric outlet covers(24 pk)
These materials are delivered to the Kiwanis Club and need to be put together in a plastic bag which is also provided with the materials. Then the Kits need to be delivered. Possible distribution to: Day Care Centers, Day Care Homes, Mother's Groups,  Hospitals with Birthing Centers, Health Clinics,  Pediatricians' offices, any facility that provides prenatal classes or care  for expectant mothers.

EACH CLUB IS ALLOWED 200 KITS ANNUALLY FOR DISTRIBUTION.

2. BIKE HELMET EMERGENCY CONTACT STICKER(put inside helmet)
Possible distribution: public schools, bike shops, stores (WalMart, Target), police and/or fire departments. 

3. CHILD SAFETY SEAT STICKERS which provide emergency contact information & dr. contact. Possible distribution: Fire and/or Police Dept. when they conduct proper installation of car seats, at a pre-school, hospitals, clinics, ambulance companies, doctors' offices.  

4. BIKE RODEO MANUAL & I'M SAFE ON MY BIKE IN NEW ENGLAND
Children and families learn about bike safety;  COMPLETE RODEO MANUAL  provides all information needed to organize and set up a rodeo.
HELMETS are available at reduced cost. Also provided: bike safety information handouts, helmet reflectors, identification stickers and much more. Kiwanis Clubs can partner with the Police/Fire Department and hold a Bike Rodeo Day.  more info at:  www.kpti.org

5. ELECTRICAL OUTLET COVERS are available in a 24 pack. Possible distribution: Parent Education Classes, Clinics, Pediatrician's Offices

6. MORE SAFETY BROCHURES FROM KPTI (available in English, Spanish, Chinese)

Window Safety Brochure
Summer Safety Brochure
Pedestrian Safety Brochure
Water Safety Brochure
Holiday/Winter Safety Brochure
Fire Safety Brochure
After School Safety Brochure
FIRST AID/CPR CRART FOR PARENTS FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS. For Kiwanis clubs, to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events for the public.

Possible Distribution: Schools, Clinics, Doctor's Offices, Police/Fire Department,  Health Fair, Holiday Fair.

7.  BIKE SAFETY

Bike Safety Packet which includes Inspection Checklist, State Bike Helmet Law & Five Common Accidents, Message to Parents,  Teachers and Motorists and Easy Steps to Properly fit a Bike Helmet, and more!

Possible Distribution: Day Care Centers, Doctor's Offices, Bike Shops, Police/Fire Departments, Schools

8. CONCUSSION INFORMATION FOR COACHES AND PARENTS

Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports is a Center for Disease Control (CDC) program to bring awareness to the dangers of head trauma in young people, particularly those in youth sports.

Available are  sheets for athletes, parents (teachers) and coaches with information about:

What a concussion is
What are the symptoms
Prevention and preparedness
What to do if you suspect a concussion
Athlete and parent fact sheets are in English and Spanish.
This information can be distributed to High School and Middle School athletic coaches who then can distribute this valuable information to parents of student involved with contact sports.

9. BULLYING PREVENTION TIPS FOR KIDS AND TEENS(PAMPHLET)
Bully Free Zone(ACTIVITY BOOKLET)
Inspire bully-free attitudes and actions with the Bully-Free Zone Activity Book for kids ages 9-13.
Reviewed by experts, Bully-Free Zone was created by Child Safety Solutions and
integrates fun with key bullying prevention messages, including:
What bullying is.
How to know if you are a bully and what you can do about it.
Ways to stop a bully from bothering you.
How to deal with cyberbullying.
How to make your school a bully-free zone.
Featuring tweens talking to tweens, this colorful booklet gives kids the opportunity to collect "Big Bonus Points" and stay away from "Big Damage Points" as they work through bullying-prevention activities.
These booklets can be distributed to schools, after school programs, youth sports organizations, PTA, and parent groups.
Bulling can happen at any age. These materials can be distributed to school
administrators who then can decide how and with what age group to used.

Many communities have Arts and Crafts Fairs in November and December. Consider having a table at a Holiday Fair. It can serve
two purposes: 1. Distribution of safety brochures and 2. Provide
information about your Kiwanis Club and attract potential new members to learn about your Club. 

I'm sure many of you can come up with more creative ways in which to distribute these materials. I hope that your Club will take advantage of the materials available through KPTI and will start a new  project this year.  Prevention is the key to keeping our children healthy.  Education is the key to healthy families and we, as Kiwanians, need to educate families in our communities.; saving lives one community at a time!

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments and also let me know what Children and Youth Services  projects your Kiwanis Clubs are doing!

And if your Club is currently using materials from KPTI consider making a donation to the Kiwanis Foundation of New England (KFNE) which supports KPTI.

A REMINDER FOR HALLOWEEN/TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF:
• If your Club sponsors a Key Club  or a Builders Club encourage members to think about organizing  a Trick or Treat for UNICEF Project for next  year, or at least put it at the top of the list for projects for next fall. Kits can be ordered at 1-800-KIWANISX411.
There is information and resources available at: http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/  to help a club get started.  And funds raised for Trick or Treat for UNICEF through Kiwanis can be designated to go to the ELIMINATE PROJECT!  When Kiwanis youth members participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF  America's kids help kids the world over.  Let's encourage all of our Kiwanis youth members to participate in Trick or Treat for UNICEF; I can't think of a better way to empower, educate and inspire our youth.
And if your Service Leadership Programs are already collecting for Trick or Treat for UNICEF, then children around the world thank them and the Kiwanis Family thanks them for a job well done!


Sincerely,
Ava AdamS, District Coordinator 2017-18
Young Children Priority One (Y.C.P.O.)
Scarborough, Maine
New England Bermuda District

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

YCPO - August 2017

Young Children Priority One Newsletter, August 2017

Good Morning fellow Kiwanians!

YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE
PARENTAL SUPPORT

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

A GREAT WAY TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP

The success of the Ronald McDonald House Charities is due  to the tireless work of volunteers and the countless contributions from  donors. Ronald McDonald House Charities have  been helping improve the lives of children and their families for 37 years.
How it started:
1974
The first Ronald McDonald House opens in Philadelphia thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans, Philadelphia Eagles’ player Fred Hill (whose daughter, Kim, had leukemia), Leonard Tose, owner of the Eagles, Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager and Ed Rensi, the McDonald’s regional manager.
The McDonald’s owner/operators in Philadelphia made the House possible, donating proceeds from the sale of Shamrock Shakes.

RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through their global network of Chapters in 57 countries and regions and through their three core programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.



DO YOU KNOW?

McDONALD’S FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ARE NOT THE SOLE SUPPORT OF RMH, NOT EVEN CLOSE! RMH FUNCTIONS WWITH HEAVY DEPENDENCY ON  VOLUNTEERS!
FAMILIES ARE REFERRED BY SOCIAL SERVICES AT HOSPITALS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TO STAY AT RMH…THERE MUST BE A NEED!
PATIENTS (CHILDREN) STAY AT RMH FOR FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS AND/OR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.  ADULTS, SIBLINGS AND PATIENTS STAY AT RMH, NOT JUST ADULTS!

HOW CAN KIWANIS CLUBS HELP? (30 WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AT RMH)

GUEST CHEF’S NIGHT great way too volunteer with club  members
go to website to find more information and sign up































A great fund raising idea is to collect aluminum pull tabs (many Key Clubs are already
doing this!). Clubs can either redeem the tabs and send a check to RMHC or the pull
tabs can be delivered to a local Ronald McDonald House and they will recycle the tabs.
PLEASE CHECK WITH THE  RMH FIRST!

Please share the above ideas with your Key Clubs. They may be interested in some of the specific suggestions  for service opportunities!


There are 7 Ronald McDonald Houses in New England.

Connecticut
501 George Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Ph: 203 777-5683
Fx: 203 777-3082
Maine
654 State Street
Bangor, ME 04401
Ph: 207 942-9003  Fx: 207 990-2984

250 Brackett Street
Portland, ME 04102
Ph: 207 780-6282
Fx: 207 780-0198

Massachusetts
 229 Kent Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Ph: 617 734-3333
Fx: 617 734-5239

34 Chapin Terrace
Springfield, MA 01107
Ph: 413 794-5683
Fx: 413 794-8199
Rhode Island
 45 Gay Street
Providence, RI 02905
Ph: 401 274-444
Fx: 401 751-3730

Vermont
16 South Winooski Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
Ph: 802 862-4943
Fx: 802 862-2175

If your Kiwanis Club is located near a Ronald McDonald House, I hope you will get involved in helping support the RMHC. It’s all about helping and serving children and their families.  Let’s show our Kiwanis’ hearts and just do it!



Sincerely,
Ava Adams, District Chair 2016-17
Young Children Priority One
Scarborough, Maine Kiwanis Club
New England and Bermuda District

email: faithava2008@yahoo.com