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In this issue:
- Happy New Year
- Sending Our Thoughts and Well Wishes
- Apply Now for An Adaptive Bicycle
- Applications for Chatter Matters Communication Camp Coming Soon
- Help Variety Be a Top-Rated Nonprofit
- Our New Website is LIVE
- Support Variety with Online Shopping
- Variety Parent Group on Facebook
- More Community Events & Info
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Happy New Year!
We are so honored to have you as part of our Variety family. Thank you for your support in 2016 and helping us learn how to better serve children and families. We simply could not fulfill our mission of enriching the lives of Wisconsin children with physical disabilities without YOU!
We hope you enjoy our video which was specially created for you by Amanda Lojeski, a former Variety Kid! Amanda volunteers in the Variety office on a weekly basis and put this together for your enjoyment!
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Sending Our Thoughts and Well Wishes
Our thoughts and well wishes are with the family of Omarion McGhee, a Variety Kid who ended his life battle with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia on December 26th. He was 14 years old. His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the funeral expenses. Please consider giving to the campgain or sharing the link below with all of your FB friends. The family also kindly asks for prayers for strength.
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Apply Now for An Adaptive Bicycle!
Brrrrrrr. It's cold outside. But before you know it, it will be spring! The kids will want to get outside and ride their bikes. So you know what that means? Now is the perfect time to apply for an adaptive bicycle!
Variety is now accepting applications for adaptive bicycles for children with physical disabilities.
The process for getting an adaptive bike can take several months so don't wait until bike riding season begins. Apply now so your child is ready to ride when the weather turns nice again!
Variety also funds other types of adaptive and mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walking devices, ramps, lifts, and much more!
Questions? Contact Taimi at taimi@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2090.
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Applications for Chatter Matters Communication Camp Coming Soon!
Does your child use a high tech communication device? If so, your child and family may qualify to attend Chatter Matters this summer!
Chatter Matters is a free, four-day, overnight camp held in Williams Bay, WI. Through traditional camp activities, families learn how to use the communication device and incorporate it into their everyday life.
We will be accepting applications soon. Stay tuned!
Questions? Please contact Taimi at taimi@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2090.
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Help Variety Be a Top-Rated Nonprofit!
Did you attend Variety's Holiday Party or any other Future Program event in 2016? Has your child receive a piece of equipment from Variety? We want to hear all about your experience with Variety. Write a review! 
By writing a review on the GreatNonprofits website, you will help Variety maintain the "Top Rated Nonprofits" seal.
Donors, businesses, foundations and other groups use the reviews on the GreatNonprofits website to decide which organizations to support. Your review can help Variety earn more funds for our programs!
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Our New Website is LIVE!!!
We recently launched our new website! Have you seen it?
Explore our website to learn about our programs and services, how to get involved, meet Variety kids, Board of Directors, staff and more!
We would love to hear what you think about our new website. Send your comments to contact@varietywi.org.
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Support Variety With Your Online Shopping
Do you shop online?
You can support Variety by doing your online shopping at AmazonSmile and 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to Variety!
It's simple! Just click here, log in to your Amazon account and make sure "Variety - the Children's Charity of Wisconsin" is selected. Amazon and Variety do the rest!
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Want to connect with another parent who has a child with a physical disability? How about lots parents! Join the "Variety of Wisconsin Parents Group" on Facebook. This is a closed group, just for Variety parents!
Examples of topics that may be discussed include where to find a doctor, dealing with IEPs, community resources, and more. Parents may also use this group to set up play dates and other get togethers.
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The following are not sponsored by Variety
but are provided for your information:
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Wisconsin AAC Network Newsletter
Check out the very first quarterly Wisconsin AAC Network Newsletter! Mike Hipple, the founder of Wisconsin AAC Network, is working on giving others a voice. He is a proud AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) user of 16 years and is striving to help and work with people who have communication challenges.
He is a good Variety friend and volunteered at our 2016 Chatter Matters Communication Camp! This newsletter is created to help raise more awareness of AAC. Email Mike at mike4@new.rr.com to subscribe.
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Rock Climbing 
Are you interested in rock climbing?
The Midwest Adaptive Climbing club is a new program which provides opportunities for persons with physical disabilities and their loved ones to enjoy the sport and lifestyle of climbing. Midwest Adaptive Climbing provides "instruction, adaptive gear, plenty of encouragement and a cool community of people to help reach to new heights."
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When: January 20-22, 2017
Time: 3:00-9:00 pm
Where: Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Ave, Waukesha, WI 53188
Join all of the winter festivities! Activities will include ice sculpting, trolley rides, penguin egg hunt, free indoor ice skating, family concert and more!
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Using research-based practices, Next Steps Theater Academy classes serve young people through their philosophy of teaching life skills through stage skills. They strive to help each student take his or her next steps as an artist and as a person.
Next Steps serves both verbal and non-verbal students, students with classic autism, PDD-NOS, other sensory processing disorders, and Asperger's. With small class sizes, the curriculum explores acting, singing, dancing and improvisation, through which students improve social understanding, fine and gross motor skills, empathy, conversation skills, public speaking and confidence.
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Advocacy for Change - Voices of Families is a full day advocacy and skills training event for parents and other family members who have children/youth with disabilities or special health care needs.
Families will:
- Learn about the latest policy and budget priorities, including waiting lists for long-term supports, changes to Medicaid, mental health and special education.
- Practice how to tell your family story in ways that can impact changes in programs and policies.
- Visit with your Representatives at the state capitol to educate them about issues important to you and your family.
- Leave with a Commitment to Actions to work with other families in your community and have an impact on advocating for legislative/policy change.
This event is free to family participants and all meals, your hotel room (if needed) and travel expenses will be covered by Family Voices of Wisconsin.
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Wisconsin Transition Conference 2017
The 14th Annual Wisconsin Transition Conference will be held February 9 and 10 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend sessions to learn more about transition services and products, meet entrepreneurs with disabilities and network during breaks!
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Handy NEWS & NOTES
Highlights include:
Ice Fishing Clinics for Children
FREE Days
Winter Sports
And more!
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B
roadscope Respite & Recreation Clubs
Respite and Recreation Club (R&R club) is a drop-off evening of fun for any child with a disability birth to 21 and their siblings. This is a chance for parents to enjoy an evening out. The kids participate in arts & crafts, games, and other activities. The R&R clubs are run by Broadscope staff and volunteers from the community. Any family living in the 6 counties Broadscope serves can attend: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Kenosha, and Racine.
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Milwaukee County has TONS of fun, free, family-friendly events. Check them out!
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Milwaukee Recreation-Therapeutic Recreation For Individuals with Disabilities
Milwaukee Recreation offers LOTS of activities for children and adults with disabilities. Don't stay cooped up this winter. Get out there and have some fun!
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"Like" Variety's Page
Sometimes we receive a limited number of tickets to events such as festivals and sporting events. We post these opportunities on our Facebook page.
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