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Mariachi Band, Seniors Connect on Cinco de Mayo
One Illinois retirement community had an usually festive of celebration of Cinco de Mayo this year. Jana Fuelberth connected different cultures and generations with the project she created in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, bringing a Mariachi band, Glenbrook North High School’s Spanish National Honor Society and a variety of Mexican food to the Covenant Village of Northbrook.
Residents wanted to learn Spanish, and began a class in February. Creating the event capitalized on her own desire for getting out and having fun and the residents’ interest in Spanish and Mexican culture. Before the band played, students from the honor society explained the history of Cinco de Mayo in both English and Spanish.
Read more about the event at the Chicago Tribune’s Northbrook local site.
Parents Create Scholarship Fund, Honor Fallen Son
A recent article in The Gazette of Maryland tells the story two parents, Debbie and Scott McCauley, who, as their project in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, created The Staff Sgt. Michael McCauley Foundation Fund to provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students. Michael McCauley was their son who served three tours of duty in Iraq and who took his own life shortly after leaving the service.
“We feel passionately about sharing Michael’s story, and how we regained hope in our lives,” said Scott McCauley. “Michael’s death has meaning and purpose. It is our hope that by establishing this fund, we can help family members of military suicide overcome obstacles that suicide brings.”
In addition to the fund, the McCauleys are working with the Wounded Warrior Project to create a group therapy program for veterans. For more information on the fund or to donate visit The Community Foundation of Frederick County website.
Run/Walk Supports Autistic Children
On April 13th, a series of running and walking events are being held at Owen Beach, near Tacoma, Washington, to raise money for It Takes a Village Foundation, a charity that benefits children and families affected by Autism.
Created by Kimberly Hoffpauir as her project in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, the first event will be a 5k run that begins at 9am. A 5k walk and a 1k kids dash follow shortly thereafter.
“Autism is the fastest growing disability affecting our children. It is estimated by the CDC that 1 in 88 kids are on the autism spectrum, 1 in 54 boys. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cost of lifetime care by two-thirds,” noted Hoffpauir. “When I saw an opportunity to create a project that would make a difference in a community it was a natural.”
Read the whole story at Tacoma Weekly, or call (206) 384-6076 or visit http://www.ITAVFoundation.com for more information.
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Learn about Water
Thanks to Angella Breitenbeck and the project she is creating in Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, girl scouts and boy scouts in Michigan will have the opportunity to understand how our water system works. Titled FLUSH!, this program will help scouts and their parents understand our water system through guided tours of water treatment plants in their area. During the tour, scouts and parents will have fun while learning about the science of water, water infrastructure, and the importance of this natural resource.
Says Breitenbeck “If the tours can inspire one child about science, the world, and the endless possibilities that are out there, then I’ve done my job.”
Charles Bellmore, Utilities Director and tour guide says, “Teaching the Boy and Girls Scouts of America about our drinking water and wastewater treatment systems is important because the Scouts will become the leaders of tomorrow who will inherit the responsibility of managing these facilities that protect public health and the environment.”
Boy scout tours begin March 16 and girl scout tours start March 23. Both girl scouts and boy scouts can earn a variety of badges and patches for their participation. For more information contact Breitenbeck at 734-462-3900 or angellab@paragonlaboratories.com.
Homegrown Hustle, Hoops in Oakland
A three-on-three basketball tournament is coming to Oakland on Saturday, February 9th, as Chris Bolaza’s project that he created in Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program. ‘Homegrown Hustle’ is open to young men and women age 16-20, and will take place at the Bushrod Recreation Center, which the event is benefiting.
Registration for the event is $50, and in addition to competing to win the tournament and an engraved trophy, each player on each team will receive their very own digital copy of their games, as each game played will be documented by Homegrown Hustle’s own videographers. Read more at http://homegrownhustle.org.
Mensa Award Given for ESL Newspaper
Elizabeth Claire has received The Intellectual Benefit to Society Award from Mensa for co-founding an English as a second language newspaper and other educational material for ESL students. As her project in Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program, Claire founded the newspaper, Easy English News, in partnership with Mariko Sasaki in Bergen County, New Jersey – Claire wrote the paper while Sasaki sold advertisements.
The paper’s intention is to make it easier for adults and young adults to adjust to living in the United States by giving them a simplified newspaper. Later, Claire grew the paper into a national, subscription based newspaper which now reaches 140,000 readers per month – all told, more than five million copies of the newspaper have been sold. Eventually, Claire also wrote five phonics books to help those with a very limited English vocabulary learn to speak the language.
The award will be given at the Virginia Beach Toastmasters Club. See more at http://elizabethclaire.com.
