March 27, 2016                                                                                              March E-News; Issue 3


VOLUNTEERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A Fresh Coat of Paint
These volunteers sure did SPRING INTO ACTION!  The interior of our Adult Services facility got a fresh new look! We are so THANKFUL for Adam Grundland from Sherwin Williams & the folks from Transamerica for recruiting volunteers to help transform our Adult Services facility! Tre McKnight the owner of Trinity Paint Service, Jose Cruz the owner of Parade of Colors, College Pro Painters Jonmarc, as well as all the volunteers from Sherwin Williams, Transamerica and USAFA cadets. They all did a beautiful job and our facility looks absolutely AMAZING!  Thanks everyone for your hard work!
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
Jillian Anderson

Jillian was born and raised in northeastern Ohio. As a  kid, Jillian spent most of her time involved in many sports and spending time with her family.  From a young age it was very apparent that Jillian was blessed (or cursed) with the gift of gab and found that she was happiest when entertaining a crowd. It seemed fitting that, after years of producing homemade music videos and scary movies as a child, she would find herself on the flip side of the camera.  Read more about Jillian here...

"I genuinely love people and I want to share any time and skills that I can to help other people and continue building relationships. I moved here to Colorado Springs a few months ago not knowing a single person. Since my move I have managed to keep busy working out, reading, attending church, cheerleading and volunteering. I enjoy having all this alone time to really throw myself into these things I love. I came across SKSF while searching for nonprofits to work with for my Java with Jillian segment at work. I really liked the idea of this organization and really wanted to help out! I am excited to continue meeting volunteers and those with special needs who utilize the organization."

Thanks Jillian for your efforts in creating awareness for Special Kids Special Families and through your volunteerism.  We appreciate all you do! 

SKSF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Monday, April 4th & April 18th
9:00am - 12:00pm

Zach's Time Play Group is held at Zach's Place at the Laurie Hillyard Family Center at  4795 Granby Circle, Colorado Springs.  Especially for children ages 2.5 - 5 years old of ALL abilities.   What is Zach's Time?
A time available for young children of any ability to attend Zach's Place to play and make friends with other children their age.  We will have story time, sing songs, make a craft and have a snack.

Playgroups will be scheduled every other Monday.  $20/child to cover session costs. If you are interested in enrolling your child, contact Tammy at [email protected] or call (719) 329-1717.


Friday, April 8th
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Zach's Place; 4795 Granby Circle, CO Springs

Socialization is an important goal for our youth at Zach's Place at The Laurie Hillyard Family Center. We offer a unique opportunity to meet this goal. Zach's Place Fun Nights are the second Friday of every month and are open to all ages and abilities. We provide pizza, make dessert together, create a craft and play games.  Registration & intake process is required for participation.  Please allow 2 weeks to process.  Contact Tammy or Dani at 719-329-1717 or email:  [email protected] .  Limited space so sign up today! 

THE NETWORK MEETINGS

Friday, April 8th
6:00pm - 8:00m

LOCATION: Zach's Place; 4795 Granby Circle, CO Springs

TOPIC: Alternative Therapeutic Approaches for Special Needs


Families raising children with special needs repeatedly express frustration about not having the resources they require to not only meet their personal needs but those of their children. These requests led Special Kids Special Families to create a forum where families can learn about resources in the community as well as gain support and interact with other parents on the same journey who can relate their own personal struggles.  Please JOIN US for a relaxing time with people who understand what your journey is like.  If parents need childcare, please discuss when you RSVP as Fun Night is the same night! Pre-registration required.
RSVP REQUIRED / CONTACT: Linda Ellegard at  [email protected] or (719) 447-8983 x19.


A BIG THANKS TO... 
We'd like to acknowledge the following donors, volunteers and participants from the following businesses.  Without your support we couldn't accomplish the events and support our program facility and activities.  We GREATLY appreciate all you do for our organization and the community!

Bowlathon Sponsors:
King Pin Lanes
NuStar Energy
Greiner Electric
Vinton Law Firm
Berwick Electric
CIA Leavitt Insurance
Simple CPR
Warren Management Group
Blazer Electric
Academy Bank
Biggs Kofford
Williams Body & Paint
Recent Donations from:
Bambino's Pizzeria
Bronco Billy's Casino
Skirted Heifer
Denver Botanical Gardens
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
I Top It Yogurt
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Mason Jar
Pure Bouldering Gym
Santa's Workshop
Trader Joe's
Olive Garden
Pizza Rustica
Little Monkey Bizness
Brakes Plus
Seven Two Partners
Cost Cutters
Skate City
Warren Management
FOX SOCO
Skyzone
Century Casino
Royal Gorge Bridge/Park
Triple Crown Casino
Antlers Hotel
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Cheetah Printing
Hoff & Leigh
Recent Volunteers from:
Air Force Academy USAFA
Sherwin Williams
Transamerica
Trinity Paint Service
Parade of Colors
College Pro Painters Jonmarc
Transamerica

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOPS
For Siblings of Children With Special Needs
Saturday, April 2nd, 3:00pm - 4:30pm 

Sibshops is a monthly program run by SKSF connecting and supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping them recognize a community of peers in similar situations. Through fun and age appropriate activities with others in similar situations, they develop bonds, understanding and a support group all their own.

Advanced Registration is required and space is limited!
Sibshops is sponsored by  The Arc Pikes Peak Region.




     

There are so many ways you can make a difference to help us fund our programs and support individuals with disabilities and their families.  Here are some SIMPLE ways to help...

Use your everyday spending to help raise FUNDS for SKSF:

Amazon.Smiles.com -  Log in with your normal email address and password that you use and select SKSF as your charity to have .5% of your purchase to be donated.

Aspen Auto Clinic -  Purchase an Oil Change Discount Card for 5 oil changes & free tire rotation & SKSF earns $40 for each card sold!

Koscove Metal - Accepts metals of all kinds for recycling and donates a portion of monetary value to SKSF when drop off is identified for the organization.

King Soopers Gift Cards - Purchase a gift card for only $2.50 or $5.00 & SKSF receives 5% of your purchases at King Soopers (or any other Kroger family store) or fuel purchases (at Loaf-n-Jug).

Go Fund Me - SKSF has created an  online GoFundMe profile for Zach's Place Capital Campaign.  We are trying to raise $10,000 to help purchase the program facility to create a permanent home.  Any donation amount and any help you can give in spreading the word is appreciated.  Visit here to learn more about our Zach's Place Capital Campaign.

H&R Block -  Special Kids Special Families is partnering with H&R Block this tax season! Use referral code #40010001082325 and take it to the office when you have your tax return prepared. If you are a new H&R Block client, we will get a $20 contribution.





Please welcome Diane Dumas!
Her position in our organization is an Adult Disabilities Lead
Mentor for Joey's Place Program.
Please welcome Beneralda Mendez!
Her position in our organization is a n Adult Mentor
for the ICAN Program.



Would YOU like to join SKSF and be part of a team?
We are now hiring for the following positions:
 
    








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