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In this issue:
- Meet the Variety Pirates! Arrr!
- Special Needs Saturday at the Milwaukee Public Museum
- My Big Fat Dinner & Chick Flick
- Apply Now for an Adaptive Bicycle
- Save the Date for Upcoming Future Program Events
- Support Variety with Online Shopping
- More Community Events & Info
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Meet the Variety Pir
ates! Arrr!
We thought you'd like to see all the fun we have here at the Variety office! Pictured above are the Pirates of Variety: Gerise LaSpisa, Dua Vang-Ramirez, Bob Menefee, Amanda Lojeski, Taimi Parey, and Edith Brown.
See the real "Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" May 26th at
Marcus Theatres!
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Special Needs Saturday
at the Milwaukee Public Museum 
Saturday, June 10th
RSVP line: 414-203-1938 by Monday, June 5th
Choice of two sessions: 10:00-11:30 a.m. OR 1:30-3:00 p.m.
What will happen to your child when you are no longer around to take care of them? How does the ABLE Act of 2014 impact their future? This session will help families plan for the financial future of their child(ren), or other dependents, with special needs. Learn how to maintain eligibility for government benefits while meeting the needs for a lifetime of care and quality of life issues. This presentation will cover estate planning, guardianship, wills and trusts, and letters on intent.
While the parent(s) are attending the session, the rest of the family (the other parent or caregiver) will receive complimentary admission. (Complimentary admission limited to first 150 people.) Light refreshments will be served.
Compliments of:
Variety - the Children's Charity of Wisconsin and Special Needs Planning, LLC
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My Big Fat Dinner & Chick Flick
Ladies, grab your girlfriends, put on your best Greek attire and join the Ladies of Variety for a fun-filled night!
Enjoy the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" on the big screen while dancing and singing in the aisles.
There will be a raffle, silent auction, cocktail party with $6 drink specials, Greek-inspired dinner, and more!
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Apply Now for An Adaptive Bicycle!
 Variety is now accepting applications for adaptive bicycles for children with physical disabilities.
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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Save the Date for Upcoming Future Program Events
Variety Family Picnic at Blue Lotus
Halloween Costume Dance
Saturday, October 21st
Stay tuned for details!
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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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The following are not sponsored by Variety
but are provided for your information:
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Access Mobility Vans
 Access Mobility offers:
- Mobility Vans and Vehicle Modifications
- A wide selection of wheelchair vans
- Custom ordering to your needs and specifications
- New and pre-owned vans
- BRUNO lifts
- Vehicle mobility modifications
- Turning automotive seating
- Lowered floor mini vans
- More!
For more information, call toll-free 844-945-4387.
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UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
Does your child qualify for up to $10,000 in medical grants?
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is a charitable organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their family's commercial health insurance plan. Families may receive up to $5,000 annually per child and do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible.
The funds help pay for medical treatment, services or equipment such as surgeries, counseling, prescription medications, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses, hearing aids and physical, occupational and speech therapies.
To apply or learn more, visit UHCCF.org.
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Circles of Life Conference
Circles of Life is Wisconsin's annual conference for parents and family members who have children with disabilities and professionals who support them.
The 2017 Conference will be held May 4-5 at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point.
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St. Francis Family Activity Center
St. Francis Children's Center is delighted to announce a new schedule of free events to be held at their Family Activity Center, 6700 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee. The Family Activity Center was designed as a place for families with children with special needs to gain support and resources and to network with other families. And to have fun as a family!
Saturday, April 8th from 10-11:30 am, come and join our gardening event. Families will enjoy rotating through garden-themed activities including a planting station where children will plant seeds to take home to grow and nurture, a flower-making craft, drawing center, reading nook and sensory station.
 Starting April 11th through May, come join open play groups on Mondays from 10 am to noon and on Thursdays from 1-3 pm. These sessions are for children with special needs through approximately age 6 and their typically developing sibs and friends.
For much more information, contact Jennifer Drechsler, program coordinator, at 414-351-0450 or jdrechsler@sfcckids.org.
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Summer Fun Days at Zachariah's Acres
 Your family is invited to experience Summer at Zachariah's Acres. This free event is exclusively for children with special needs and their families.
- Summer Fun Picnic
- Summer Fun in the Berry Patch
- Summer Fun on the Water
- Summer Fun in the Garden
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Feeding Wisconsin
Can your family benefit from FoodShare, a federal program that provides assistance with purchasing groceries? Applying for FoodShare is easy. Call the toll-free confidential FoodShare helpline at 1-877-366-3635.
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UW LaCrosse Adaptive Physical Education Research & Survey
Students and faculty in the adapted physical education teacher preparation at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse are gathering information and invite you to participate in a survey.
"Physical education is a very important school subject for all students, including those with special needs
. The physical, social, and emotional development of students with disabilities can be enhanced through quality physical education and sport. Your participation in this
brief 10 minute survey will help gather information from parents about their perceptions of physical education and school-sponsored extracurricular sport programs. This information can hopefully improve programs in the future.
Your answers and identity will be anonymous. Please click the link below to complete the survey. Your submission of the survey indicates your consent to participate in this project."
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Kids Bowl Free for the Summer
This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.
Children 18 years and younger receive a voucher for
2 free games a day, all summer long!
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Franklin Little League
 Is your child interested in playing baseball? Consider signing up for the Franklin Little League Challenger Division!
This league is a fun way to connect and network with players and parents. The league allows for a fun, relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere that supports all players with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.
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Blue Lotus Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
Wednesday, June 14th
Saturday, July 8th
Wednesday, August 16th
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Blue Lotus is offering a special day just for your child with special needs and you. Enjoy time away from life's daily challenges.
Besides a great day in the country, this day will help establish a new
level of communication and bonding through outdoor activities.
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Katy's Kloset
Are you in need of medical equipment? Consider checking out Katy's Kloset!
 Katy's Kloset is a nonprofit lending library that accepts donations of good, used durable medical equipment for children and adults. This equipment can then be borrowed at no charge by those in need. Recipients may keep this equipment for as long as needed, and are asked to return it promptly when no longer needed, so it can be recycled again and put to good use.
Katy's Kloset also accepts donation of medical supplies such as unexpired formula, feeding bags and extensions, incontinence supplies, Chux, wound care items, gauze, tape, etc. Those visiting Katy's Kloset may take these supplies if they have a need for them.
Other items that may be found at Katy's Kloset include nebulizers, blood pressure machines, diabetic supplies, compression stockings, Ace bandages, Cpap machines and much more. The supply available is dependent on donations of these items.
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Facebook Parent Support Groups to Check Out
Warrior Parents of Wisconsin
"A support group for parents with special needs kids (young and g
...
rown) in Wisconsin. A forum to discuss therapies, diets, school,homeschool, IEP's, waivers, social activities, health matters, programs, guardianships or whatever else goes along with it- venting too!!"
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Handy NEWS & NOTES
Highlights include:
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
FREE Days
Summer Sailing
New Dental Clinic Makes Care Accessible
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. 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.
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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