Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver? February 22, 2011

 

 

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

 

This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

 

Two different sessions will be held beginning in March. Classes consist of six sessions held once a week.  Two experienced Class Leaders conduct the series (many are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach).  Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.

 

Classes will be held at GoodShepherdUnitedMethodistChurch,

2951 Trail Dairy Circle, NorthFort Myers

from Mar. 18 – Apr. 29.  Sessions are held every Friday from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and begin on Mar. 18. 

 

Classes will be held at Our Lady of Light Catholic Community (room # 306),

19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers

from Mar. 14 – Apr. 18.  Sessions are held every Monday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and begin on Mar. 14

 

You will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class.  A donation of $25 to help defray the cost of the book is suggested, but not required to attend the class. 

 

 

For more information or to register, please call 239-343-2751.  Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

 

 

3RD ANNUAL “KIDS CELEBRATE READING” BOOK FAIR AND DRIVE February 7, 2011

An exciting, free event for kids of all ages is coming up fast:
The 3rd annual “Kids Celebrate Reading!” Book Fair & Drive,
on Saturday, February 12, 2011, from noon to 4:00 pm
at Barnes & Noble, Waterside Shops, Naples.

K is for Kids® very own Teen Advisory Team hosts this afternoon full of activities
for children, a press release will go out with all the details today

The teens recently shot 3 PSAs promoting this event, 15- and 30-sec of the Book Fair,
as well as a 30-sec of their goal “bringing books to kids everywhere.”

Attached are the 3 audio files.  Please consider airing this to your viewers –
it is so easy for everyone to help kids in need have books to read!

For more information on our Bring a Book, Bring a Friend® for Children’s Literacy Month,
take a peek at our website:  www.KisforKids.org !

ART TRANSPLANT February 1, 2011

“Art Transplant”  Leoma Lovegrove will paint hearts to raise money for her friend’s organ transplant. For many years, Leoma Lovegrove has painted hearts during the month of February to benefit the American Heart Association and From Our Hearts of Lee County. The heart art is painted on 7″ by 9″ archival boards. This year, her efforts will support an individual for the first time.   “Cindy Scinto wandered into my gallery one day and immediately mesmerized everyone,” Lovegrove related. “She spotted one of my heart paintings and announced she had undergone a heart transplant.”   Scinto’s book,  A Heart Like Mine, relates how that experience transformed her spiritually. As a 40-year old woman living in Spokane, Washington, she had no risks for heart disease..Yet, she suffered a heart attack and endured 32 heart catheterizations, 11 stents, two open-heart surgeries, and a thoracotomy that was part of an experimental program to grow new vessels around her heart. All this occurred in only three years. In May of 2005, she was placed on the heart transplant list after surviving cardiac arrest two times. With 70 people in the Northwest waiting for a heart ahead of her, the transplant surgeon estimated it would be nine months to a year before she was called. She knew she did not have that much time. The very next morning, the surgeon came in with a consent form for a heart transplant. A donor heart had been taken off the transplant list because it needed too much repair to be suitable for a recipient. But the surgeon was willing to repair it and transplant it. The repairs were done and the transplant was successful. Although things went well the first few months, Scinto contracted a cancerous type virus from the transplanted heart and the only viable treatment was chemotherapy. After nine months of chemo twice a day-the virus became dormant. Scinto said, “I am passionate and intent on sharing my story of perseverance and how God has sustained my family and I during many years of turmoil and tragedy. Regardless of what comes my way, I am happy to be alive and trust that God will be with me every step of every hurdle. “ Scinto, also a diabetic, now needs a pancreas transplant and has formed a charitable organization. All funds raised will go towards that operation and related expenses. Scinto will visit Lovegrove Gallery on Sanibel on Feb. 20 to sign her book. Lovegrove will hold  Painting Out Loud for a Heart Like Mine at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Please call 239.472.1900 or email paintingoutloud@gmail.com.   Lovegrove will paint hearts live at the Franklin Shops at the corner of First and Broadway in Fort Myers on Feb. 4 beginning at noon and continuing through Art Walk. Feb. 4 is also National Wear Red Day when Americans are urged to wear red to show support for women’s heart disease awareness.   During the Creative Coast weekend, Lovegrove will paint hearts at Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens in Matlacha on Feb. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Feb. 12, she will hold a Painting Out Loud at 2 p.m.   Lovegrove will paint 500 or more hearts over the course of three weekends during the month of February and will give them away to bring attention to Cindy Scinto’s book and needs. Lovegrove will sign them for a nominal fee and the money raised will go towards Scinto’s pancreas transplant. For more information call: Leoma Lovegrove, 239-822-4109 Cindy Scinto, 509-220-5243

SEASON’S READINGS HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE November 30, 2010

 

 

~Gift of books will benefit children of The Education Foundation of Collier County~

 

 

 

 With Estero’s Barnes & Noble store, Volunteer USA Foundation kicks off a “Season’s Readings” holiday book drive to benefit children enrolled in The Education Foundation of Collier County programs from now until January 1, 2011.

 

Volunteer USA encourages local community members and business groups to donate new books appropriate for children at a beginner reading level through the age of nine.  Barnes & Noble will offer a large variety of children’s books in English and Spanish for customers to purchase and donate in store.

 

“During this season of giving, we are incredibly appreciative that Barnes & Noble is again supporting our efforts to spread the joy of reading to parents and children,” Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer USA Foundation, said.  “This book drive is an easy way for the local community to make a difference to others – simply by donating the precious gift of a book or two.  Many families we work with have no children’s books in their homes so we encourage those who are able to give to help us create personal libraries for young readers and their parents throughout Collier County.”

 

The Education Foundation of Collier County, which receives family literacy funding from Volunteer USA, supports students, families, teachers and principals and began with the core belief that teachers have the greatest impact on student learning. The Foundation works to bring the community together around shared values for education with their community engagement initiative, Connect Now.  They also have the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition program, provide mentoring and scholarships to students and award classroom grants and fund family literacy programs.  And, the new easy-to-navigate website, launching soon, will include information and resources for students and parents, educators and schools, and the community.

 

“We are grateful to Volunteer USA Foundation for their support of Family Literacy initiatives in Collier County,” Susan McManus, President of The Education Foundation, said.  “The schools customized literacy programs enable parents to better support their children’s education and become more proficient in English.  In turn, the school-age children have opportunities to improve and enhance their learning through activities that build on the school curriculum, and younger siblings are exposed to the activities that make them more prepared for entering school.”  

Each year, Estero’s Barnes & Noble store selects a nonprofit to benefit from its annual holiday book drive.  The store encourages its customers and community members to open their hearts and to help bring the joy of reading to south Florida children.  

“Barnes & Noble is excited to partner with Volunteer USA by sponsoring this annual Holiday Book Drive,” Lin Assink, Assistant Store Manager, Barnes & Noble, said.  “We love working with the community, and when you can bring the gift of reading to those who may not be able to afford a luxury we take for granted, it is a wonderful thing. With the support of the community, we hope to have a lot of books to turn over to this great and much needed program.”

 

Volunteer USA hopes to collect 5,000 books during the “Season’s Readings” book drive.  Please donate new and gently used books at any of the checkout registers at the Estero Barnes & Noble store located at Coconut Point at 23130 Fashion Dr.

 

To learn more about Volunteer USA’s Family Literacy Initiative and The Education Foundation of Collier County, please visit www.volunteerusafoundation.org and www.educationforcollier.org. 

 

 

BEHIND THE CUPBOARD DOOR WRITING CONTEST November 19, 2010

~ N.D. Wilson Invites Young Readers to Explore a Tale of their Own ~

Bonita Springs, FL – Volunteer USA Foundation and N.D. Wilson, a favorite author among children, are pleased to announce an adventurous writing contest to students in southwest Florida. Wilson, the author of the favorite 100 Cupboard book series, has teamed up with Volunteer USA for the Behind the Cupboard Door Writing Contest for young readers.

 “We know children love reading books filled with adventure, delightful characters – all sprinkled with a bit of charm and smirk. All they need to do now create their own unique world behind a cupboard door,” said Liza McFadden, president of Volunteer USA.  “I know we have so many imaginative writers out there who would love the chance to meet the incomparable N.D. Wilson in person and this is their chance!” 

Students in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties (grades 4-7) are invited to participate in the writing contest, aimed at promoting the joy of reading and imagination among youngsters. Students are asked to write their very own short story or poem set around the theme of Behind the Cupboard Door. 

“For me, the cupboard doors are about discovering the magic of this world, the magic hidden in things that we’ve always seen but never noticed. And, of course, once we see that magic, it can take us anywhere,” said Wilson.

Contest winners, accompanied by their parents, will be recognized at a special VIP breakfast, sponsored by Brown & Brown Public Risk Insurance Agency, to kickoff Volunteer USA’s 11^th Celebration of Reading event on February 11^th, 2011. Celebration is an annual event hosted by former Governor Jeb Bush  and his family to support successful family literacy programs in the southeast.  The students will be Wilson’s guests of honor at the Celebration breakfast and have the opportunity to visit with the entertaining author and read their winning submissions to the crowd.

Fifteen winners will be selected in total. They will be announced to schools and on Volunteer USA’s website at www.volunteerusafoundation.org on January 27, 2011 as part of Florida’s Celebrate Literacy Week.  Complete contest details are below.

BEHIND THE CUPBOARD DOOR CONTEST GUIDELINES

HOW TO ENTER THE BEHIND THE CUPBOARD DOOR CONTEST?

Students in grades 4-7 from the Florida counties/school districts of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee, may participate by entering either a Poem or Essay:

Write a poem or essay based on one of the cupboards left unexplored in the book 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson. It must be able to be read aloud in 3 minutes or less. It must be your own original, creative work. Your entry must be typed and must include a title page reflecting your name, your age, the name of your county/school district, the name of your school, and your teacher’s name on it.  Entries not having ALL of this information will automatically be disqualified.

All entries must be electronically sent to Contest@VolunteerUSAFund.org OR postmarked no later than the deadline of Sunday, January 16, 2011 to:

Volunteer USA Foundation

Attn: COR2011 Writing Contest

516 North Adams Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

WHO WINS?

A panel of educators and staff at Volunteer USA Foundation (VUSA) will read and review all entries and select a total of 15 winners.  All winners will be notified by their teacher by January 24, 2011. Names of winners will also be posted on www.volunteerusafoundation.org website.

PRIZES

Winners will have the opportunity to be honored at the Celebration of Reading Children’s Breakfast with 100 Cupboards author, N.D. Wilson on Friday, February 11, 2011.  Winning students can be joined by their immediate family members; their teacher, media center specialist or librarian; principal; school district board members; and superintendent, and will be asked to read their essay or poem.

NOW FOR THE FINE PRINT…

Students from the Florida counties/school districts of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee, in grades 4-7 may participate by entering in only one of the two options.  Entries must be original work created by students.  Adults may be consultants only. The selection of subject matter and writing must all be done by the student(s).

-          Only one entry per individual is permitted.

-          Deadline for all submissions is Sunday, January 16, 2011.

-          Winners will be notified by their teachers by Monday, January 24, 2011.

Contestants agree that VUSA may photograph and film them, publish their written entries, name(s) which may be used in future advertisement campaigns and/or marketing materials that may be on the web, in an article, in a press release or announcing the winning entries or describing the contest. Parents will be asked to sign a release form granting permission for their student winner to be named on press releases, photographed and filmed.   Volunteer USA Foundation is not responsible for any lost, delayed, damaged, misdirected, or illegal submissions. Entries cannot be returned. VUSA may disqualify any entry based on content and/or production.

BE CREATIVE!  

Submit a poem or essay about an unexplored cupboard in the book that would be of interest to other readers your age. Does it present a message in a creative or entertaining way? What makes it compelling and unique? What about it would make students want to read the book or book series?  While it is acceptable to have adult guidance and supervision on the project, the project should be BY students FOR students. Adults must be consultants only. Do not use any copyrighted material or images.

Questions? Contact: Carolyn Vega-Melendez at 850.559.2208 or via email at Contest@VolunteerUSAFund.org. For more information about our nonprofit efforts  please visit www.volunteerusafoundation.org and www.celebrationofreading.org.

HURRICANE SEASON September 21, 2010

Time to Get Ready… A Hurricane is coming to Our Town!

Hurricane season is no longer just around the corner…it’s officially here until December 1^st. While preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time for a child…actually living through one is even more stressful. Without knowledge about what is happening, children are worried and fearful. This book is designed to explain to your child what to expect, from the initial warning that a hurricane is coming, to the aftermath of the storm.

Time to Get Ready will help explain the phenomenon of hurricanes to children in a “grow and learn” non-threatening way, from a child’s perspective. The paperback has vibrant illustrations and straightforward dialogue. Children will be able to follow along as Mia and Jonathan’s entire family, including Elvis the dog, pitch in to get ready for a hurricane, experience the event, and recover from the storm.

Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! is dedicated To the Children…the most vulnerable people affected by natural disasters. A portion of all book sales will be donated to hurricane victims through charitable organizations such as, Feed The Children. To learn more about Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! visit www.time2getready.com or www.jillpress.com

WINNIE THE POOH August 2, 2010

DISNEY CLASSIC “WINNIE THE POOH” BOOKS NOW ON SALE AT KOHL’S

THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO BENEFIT

Kohl’s customers recreate memories of growing up as their own children explore the “Winnie the Pooh” characters, while helping the patients at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. 

The “Winnie the Pooh” books and plush toys honor the classic stories and characters, and are just $5 dollars each.  Each quarter new books and plush go on sale with 100 percent of the net local profits benefiting children’s health and education initiatives at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. 

In addition to supporting children receiving care at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, the books are also a great way to support the educational levels of the children in our community.  According to a study conducted by the National Commission on Reading, children who are read to from an early age are more successful at learning to read.  The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advocates reading to children starting at age six months and even recommends pediatricians prescribe reading activities to new parents. 

The “Kohl’s Cares for Kids Winnie the Pooh” books will be available for a limited time only in stores and online at www.kohls.com.   They can be purchased locally at the Kohl’s located at 9357 Benn C Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. in Fort Myers; at 6381 Naples Blvd. in Naples, at 19600 Cochran Blvd. in Port Charlotte; and at 513 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.

ARE YOU READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON? July 2, 2010

Time to Get Ready… A Hurricane is coming to Our Town!

Hurricane season is no longer just around the corner…it’s officially here until December 1^st. While preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time for a child…actually living through one is even more stressful. Without knowledge about what is happening, children are worried and fearful. This book is designed to explain to your child what to expect, from the initial warning that a hurricane is coming, to the aftermath of the storm.

Time to Get Ready will help explain the phenomenon of hurricanes to children in a “grow and learn” non-threatening way, from a child’s perspective. The paperback has vibrant illustrations and straightforward dialogue. Children will be able to follow along as Mia and Jonathan’s entire family, including Elvis the dog, pitch in to get ready for a hurricane, experience the event, and recover from the storm.

Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! is dedicated To the Children…the most vulnerable people affected by natural disasters. A portion of all book sales will be donated to hurricane victims through charitable organizations such as, Feed The Children. To learn more about Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! visit www.time2getready.com or www.jillpress.com

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK April 6, 2010

National Library Week, April 12 through April 17, is promoting a theme of Communities Thrive @ your library, and this year Collier County Public Library is hosting a food drive for local food banks.

“Communities really do thrive at your library as the theme goes, and that is why Collier County libraries want to help the community with a food drive to help those in need,” said Marilyn Matthes, Director of Collier County Public Libraries. 

Food donation bins will be available at all of Collier County’s libraries.  So go through your pantry and find non-perishable foods today, drive to your nearest library, and help make a difference in this community.

In tough and good economic times, libraries give free access to books, computers, information for resumes and job searches, accurate financial information and programs for adults and children.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. 

Collier County Public Libraries circulates more than 3 million items to customers each year including printed books, ebooks, audio books, CDs, DVDs and downloadable books.

For more information, call the Headquarters Regional Library call (239) 593-0334 or visit us online at www.colliergov.net/library.

MARCO ISLAND LIBRARY BRANCH REOPENS September 29, 2009

The Collier County Public Library temporarily closed the Marco Island Branch Library during the month of September to accommodate construction of the Rose Hall addition, and now the library is ready to reopen. A contractor will be wrapping up work at the facility so some of the public computers may not be available for a couple of days. Staff will also be putting books back on the shelves to regular capacity over the next week. When completed, the 4,000 square foot Rose Hall addition will open to the existing branch library with two adjoining doors. 

 For more information, the public should call the Marco Island Branch starting Oct. 1 at (239) 394-3272. The Marco Branch Library is located at 210 S. Heathwood Dr. Business hours for the library are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Saturdays and Sundays.