~To empower, educate and connect those living without both arms or all four limbs. |
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{ December 2021 Newsletter } |
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Executive Director's Message
Season's Greetings Everyone,
This newsletter marks the last one of 2021 so we wanted to take this time thank everyone for their continued support and wish you and your families all the best in the upcoming new year!
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who started Facebook fundraisers for Enhancing Skills for Life, because of your fundraisers as well as through PayPal and CFC donations, we have raised over $3,600 this holiday giving season! This will allow us to provide scholarships to at least 3 individuals! These scholarships are invaluable and we would not be able to change so many lives without this support and your help in spreading the word to your friends, family and colleagues.
In case you had not heard, 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Skills for Life Workshops! The countdown clock has started and Skills for Life 6 is taking place October 5-9, 2022. Mark those calendars if you have not already. There will NOT be a virtual option, so make plans to join us in person. Additional information regarding scholarships and sponsorship opportunities can also be found below. More exciting information coming in early 2022 so stay tuned!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you and your families! We look forward to seeing everyone in 2022!
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Ronnie's 4th Annual Bowling Tournament |
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Ronnie is hosting his 4th Annual Bowling Tournament in Livingston, TX February 12-13, 2021. It is right around the corner, so take advantage of all the low airfares right now for a weekend of fun and fellowship. We are currently looking for donated items that we can include in the raffle or silent auction that takes place during the tournament. Click here to read more and fill out this form if you have something you would like to donate (weekend getaways, gift cards, homemade crafts, etc). Contact us with any questions.
HOTEL INFORMATION
We have a block of rooms at La Quinta in Livingston, TX for $65/night + tax! Please make your own hotel reservations by calling 936-328-5299 and tell them you are with the Skills for Life Bowling Tournament. You will not get the above rate by booking online so make sure you give them a call. If you apply for a scholarship/grant, Enhancing Skills for Life will take care of the hotel bill upon checkout and will reimburse you for your flight once we have your receipt.
You don't have to bowl if you come, and you don't need to bring anything special with you, you just need to bring yourself and be ready to have fun. If you want to give bowling a try, we will have some equipment for you to test out. There is always a good life hack tip to be shared, lots of socializing and awesome raffle/silent auction items to win! It helps raise money for a great cause and it is super cool to watch Ronnie, Jason and JJ bowl those strikes!
SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND!!
As many of you know, we offer scholarships to attend the Skills for Life Workshops, but did you know we also offer them to attend Ronnie's bowling tournament? Click here or the button in this section to fill out your application today. We are excited to watch this event grow every year and would love to have you come join the fun in 2022!
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Skills for Life 6 Latest Information
The first ever Skills for Life workshop was held in Denver, CO in 2002 with about 60 people in total attendance. The upcoming SIXTH workshop will mark a significant milestone as it will be the 20th Anniversary of these amazing workshops!
The Skills for Life Workshops are unique events dedicated to people who are living without both arms or all four limbs. They include programs devoted specifically to issues these individuals face on a daily basis. Presenters include those living with limb loss, family members, therapists, prosthetists, physicians, case managers and many exciting others. We hope to see you in Houston, TX October 5-9, 2022 for our 20th Anniversary!!
PROGRAM LAYOUT
Please note, there will NOT be a call for abstracts this year, but if you want a particular subject to be addressed, please make sure to email us. We took your feedback from Skills for Life 5 and 5 1/2 as well as the zoom sessions we held over the last year. We have been keeping a detailed list and we are excited about how the SFL 6 Program is shaping up. We will have a dedicated block of time for ADL's including dressing, bathing, toileting, meal preparation/eating, and adaptive equipment, etc, Our sponsors will share their latest updates, we will also have discussions on pain management, return to work, trauma/coping, intimacy, makerspace, smart homes, congenital limb difference and sepsis. The ever popular activity day will also be back bigger and better than ever! Look for an exciting opportunity geared towards those with bilateral lower limb loss... announcement coming soon!
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Change a Life, Donate Today
The Skills for Life workshop was developed almost 20 years ago with a specific focus on people missing both arms or all four limbs and the unique set of circumstances they face on a daily basis. Please consider donating so everyone has a chance to attend this life changing event!
To donate, please click the button in this section. If you make a donation of $950 or higher, you will be recognized as a HERO Sponsor at Skills for Life 6. Feel free to leave a note with your donation if sponsoring a particular individual or multiple individuals.
Any and all donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated! To show our appreciation, your name will be listed on our Skills for Life 6 website and in our Skills for Life Program!
Please contact us if you have any questions. Enhancing Skills for Life, 501c3 Tax ID: 81-2619137.
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SFL 6 Hotel & Registration Information
Event registration link coming soon...
Once registration opens, you will use Eventbrite to guarantee your spot at Skills for Life. If you are a limb loss/limb different individual, remember your registration is free, but you will still need to complete the online process. All other registrations range from $150-$650.
Hotel Reservation link is now available!!
Our Skills for Life 6 Workshop will be held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056.
*Cutoff reservation date is September 14, 2022
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SFL 6 Scholarship Applications
Limb loss individuals may apply for financial assistance to help offset their travel and lodging expenses (up to $1,000 USD). Applications will be processed in the order they were received. Someone from the scholarship committee will contact you within 24-48 hours of your application. Recipients will be notified with plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Lodging will be paid directly to the hotel.
PLEASE NOTE: You will still need to register for the conference through Eventbrite (coming soon). Follow up emails and/or phone calls will be necessary, so make sure your contact information is accurate.
Click here or the button in this section to start your scholarship application. Please contact us with any questions.
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Become a Skills for Life 6 Sponsor/Exhibitor Today!
The Skills for Life workshop is only possible because of our generous sponsors/donors and exhibitors! We have many levels of sponsorship available so click on the application link below to learn more on how to get involved.
Our exhibit area is a big hit for many of our attendees and it is a great opportunity for companies and providers to show off products as well as connect directly with limb loss individuals. Please consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at SFL 6 and contact us with any questions.
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Shawn Swanson Johnson, OT (co-chair)
Kristi Turner, OT (co-chair)
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Diane Atkins, OT
Nathalie Atkins
John Dombo
Wendy Hill, OT
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Scott Hosie, CP
Danielle Melton, MD
Wayne Moorehead
Eric Nelson
Levin Sliker, PhD
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Fanny Schultea, CP
Kim Steele
Mike St Onge
Patricia Tully, OT
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Mike St Onge, Chair
Jeff Mulvogue, Treasurer
Annae Jones, Secretary
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John Dombo
Harold Sears, PhD
Gerry Stark, CP
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Steve Kaestle
Karen Lundquist
Mara Herschbach
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Thank you Skills for Life 6 Sponsors! |
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Help us continue to provide meaningful connections! |
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Financial Assistance
Limb loss individuals may apply for scholarships to attend Skills for Life workshops or other events where there are opportunities for face to face interaction with individuals missing at least both arms or all four limbs (Amputee Coalition National Conference, Quad Squad Muster, Camp No Limits, etc). Financial aid requests need to be completed and submitted online by clicking HERE. COVID-19 financial aid is also still available for those in need. Please be as thorough as possible in your applications and provide good contact information as follow up emails or phone calls may be necessary. Please contact Kristi Turner with any questions.
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ESFL is an AmazonSmile Charity
Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as your 501c3 charity on AmazonSmile! When customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Enhancing Skills for Life. When first visiting AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. Why not choose Enhancing Skills for Life? Click HERE to change your current AmazonSmile charity to ESFL today!
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Combined Federal Campaign
If you are a Federal employee (contractors and retirees too) and interested in workplace giving? Consider choosing Enhancing Skills for Life as one of the charities you support. The CFC giving campaign opened on September 1, 2021. You can search for us by entering Enhancing Skills for Life as the name, filter by cause (Health Care) or by entering our CFC#: 60813. If you are interested in seeing what our ESFL campaign looks like online, you can view them by clicking "watch charity videos" and "read charity stories".
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Contact Us | 713-240-8336 | Email
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