A Step Up Winchester
September 28, 2010 | 8:03 pm
A Step Up Winchester was founded by Lisa Cleary, Pat Carrucci, Allison Brown, Debbie Johnston,and Margaret Wade. They can be reached at jsc3381@verizon.net
Monthly Archives: September 2010
So much more than a food pantry…
September 27, 2010 | 7:14 pm
Posted by Carolyn
Last week we spent the morning at the Boston Medical Center (BMC) and were completely awed by the extensive support given to the extremely diverse patient population at the hospital. The “tagline” at BMC is “exceptional care without exception” and it was an apt description for what we saw on our tour.
We went to the hospital to specifically learn about BMC’s Nutrition Resource Center more commonly known as the food pantry. At the food pantry we spoke with Latchman Hiralall, Registered Dietetic Technician, and the food pantry manager. He told us that the mission of the food pantry is give out healthy food to people who couldn’t otherwise obtain food to promote their health. Sounds simple right? In fact, what they are doing is unique, comprehensive and filled with much common sense.
We learned that in order to use the in-hospital food pantry you need a referral from your doctor and that your selections from the food pantry are based around your medical needs; diabetes, heart conditions, obesity etc. Families are encouraged to select foods from the food pantry that are not only healthy but also food that their family members prefer. The assistance doesn’t stop there. The food pantry even has a fully equipped demonstration kitchen, where nutritionists can show patients and their families healthy ways to prepare the food they are “prescribed”.
In the demonstration kitchen we spent some time with Deidra Dexter-Hine, the Clinical Nutrition Manager. Deidre is a chef nutritionist who explained the Nutrition Resource Center is the ONLY in-hospital food pantry in the entire country. Other hospitals around the country are now trying to replicate the model developed at BMC. Deidra teaches families how to prepare foods that are good for them based on their specific dietary needs. She teaches food safety and encourages patients to be hands-on participants in her classes.
The food pantry is supported by private donors and the Greater Boston Food Bank. We were shocked to learn the food pantry is providing food to 7000 visitors per month. There are of course, opportunities to get involved. You can help hungry children and families by starting a food drive at your office, school, church, temple or community group. The food pantry is always in need of donations. The BMC website provides suggestions to make your food drive a success. You can make a financial donation to the food pantry at bmc.org/about/giving.htm. There are also opportunities to volunteer at the food pantry or other departments at the hospital. For more information go to bmc.org/about/volunteer.htm
We left Boston Medical Center feeling like we had really learned something special. Our visit to the Nutrition Resource Center is only a slice of what we saw on our tour. The same level of comprehensive care and commitment to treating the many needs of the patients was mirrored in the many other departments that we visited. We would love to help them get the word out!
More Than Words
September 2, 2010 | 12:44 pm
How You Can Help:
GET INVOLVED
Clear off your shelves and donate books, CD’s and DVD’s to MTW
Buy your books at MTW
Apply to be a weekly volunteer at the bookstore
Hold a meeting or book group at MTW
Tell others to shop and donate books at MTW
Coordinate at book drive in your neighborhood, school or faith organization
School Groups:
Coordinate a school wide bookdrive; MTW can support you with all the materials and ways to engage different grade levels and classes to set fun goals.
Financial Support:
Support MTW to expand its reach and invest critical capacity building funding to help us reach more youth! Donations support youth stipends and hands-on, real-world training for youth. Donate to More Than Words.
Walker
September 2, 2010 | 12:16 pm
Volunteer opportunities GET INVOLVED
Please Note: Volunteer opportunities are available as spots become open. For certain volunteer work, age restrictions, time commitments, interviews, training and/or background checks may apply.
Individual volunteers may be needed at one of our three major fundraising events:
1. The Walk for Walker/Needham,
2. Fore the Children Golf Tournament
3. Lives in Bloom Gala/Boston.
Volunteer opportunities may also become available during our annual holiday toy drive and on our Needham campus.
Group of volunteers: Walker is delighted to welcome volunteer groups on a rolling basis. Groups may participate in a one-time event such as a painting or gardening projects. Group volunteer opportunities are also available in our residential program through our “adopt-a-home” program. A group of volunteers can help children and staff in a particular residential unit with homework, cleaning, painting, cooking dinner, or other activities.
School Groups: Walker is proud to partner with local schools to assist students in fulfilling community service hours. Volunteer opportunities may be available in the classroom, residence, after-school, summer program or our administrative office.
Financial Donations:
The $1.5 million Walker annual fund is the foundation of our fundraising efforts, helping to provide many of the things we need to deliver the highest-quality special education and therapeutic programs.
In-Kind Donations:
An in-kind gift of goods or services is a wonderful way to support the children, adolescents, and families who depend on Walker. If you or your employer wishes to donate an item, product, or service to Walker, please download and review our in-kind gift donation form at www.walkerschool.org. You may also visit the Walker gift registry at Target.com to purchase new items for children in Walker intensive and acute residential treatment programs.
Wish list: New Items
Gift cards for children’s clothing (Target, Old Navy, etc.)
Gift cards to party favor stores (iParty, etc.)
Birthday wrapping paper
Spring outdoor activity supplies (flashlights, hand-held compasses, binoculars, tennis balls, playground balls, yoga balls, bug/nature examining kits, sidewalk chalk, bubbles) board games, puzzles, Legos and other creative/building toys
Art project kits
Storage bins (clear or colored plastic)
Children’s books (appropriate for children ages 5-13)
Tickets to local sporting events
Outdoor sporting goods (self pitch wiffle ball machine, nerf footballs, frisbees, chainsfor basketball hoops, footballs, wiffle balls/bats, kites, sprinklers, baseball batting helmets, air pumps, hammock, fishing poles)
Bean bags, large pillows, lap desks & posters (sports or animal)
Bags (backpacks, purses, gym bags)
Toys
Wish List: GENTLY USED items
Toys, furniture (rocking chairs) and outdoor play equipment may be accepted on a
case-by-case basis. Gently used children’s books (appropriate for children ages 5-13) are
currently accepted as well.
It is always necessary to contact us before bringing items to Walker. Due to a lack of
storage space, current needs and our donation policy, certain items may not be accepted.
Note: Items we are UNABLE to accept include:
broken, ripped, incomplete or extremely worn toys, books, games and puzzles
used clothing, blankets, stuffed animals or linens toy weapons or toys with weapons
used computers or other electronics
For more information, contact Amy Perna
at 781-292-2110 or aperna@walkerschool.org.