Laptop Donation and June Respite Dates

Sammy's House would like to thank Padgett Stratemann CPA firm for generously donating two laptops to us through their Computer Donation Program! You can read the press release here. Our admin staff are thrilled!

Our respite care dates for June have been set: Saturday, June 9 and Saturday, June 30 (10am to 2pm both days). You can see the calendar here. Contact our Respite Coordinator at b.hill@sammyshouse.org to sign up. All children ages 8 and below are welcome.

Carnival Re-Cap and the Next Big Thing!

For those of you who couldn't make it to our carnival, the kids had a blast! The petting zoo was a definite favorite, with lots of soft rabbits, colorful lizards, and even a baby hedgehog. Another big hit was crawling through the giant inflatable caterpillar. Four lucky families won our raffle baskets -- we'd like to thank everyone who purchased raffle tickets and helped make this year's raffle so successful. In addition to providing a totally inclusive carnival for children of all abilities, this carnival also raised critically needed funds to support our programs -- a win all around! Here are some pictures from the event.

A petting zoo staff member shows off a bright yellow lizard.

A handmade princess crown!

Some of the bunnies at the petting zoo.

Not just face-painting, but arm-painting too!

A Sammy's House student checks out the inside of a real Austin fire truck.

Playing in the duck pond on a wonderful spring day!

The kiddos loved those duck ponds...

Drawing the winner of our Family Fun raffle prize.

The lucky winner and some Sammy's House family members!

Believe it or not, we're already planning our next event – the 2012 Eat, Drink and Be Scary Ball. We hope you can join us this year. Here are the details:

Eat, Drink & Be Scary Ball 2012
Presented by Pediatric Cardiology of Austin and benefiting Sammy's House
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012 / 6pm-11pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

We're excited to announce the details for our third-annual Eat, Drink & Be Scary Ball! This event is a ton of fun, and includes dinner, live music, a costume contest, and live and silent auctions. Most importantly, the donations raised in this one evening will help support the inclusive programs at Sammy's House for the upcoming year.

We have table sponsorships available at the $6000, $3000, and $1500 level. Individual tickets are also available at $75 each. For more information, contact us at edbsball@yahoo.com or visit our website at www.edbsball.blogspot.com. You can also see pictures from last year's ball on our website and see a list of this year's generous auction donors.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page for other updates and photos, and while you're there, we would love for you to "like" us. While you're at it, follow us on Twitter too!

Step Right Up!

Just a reminder that our annual fundraising carnival is this Saturday from 9am-12pm! Suggested donation for admission is $5 per child. All proceeds will go directly towards sustaining the programs at Sammy's House. We have a ton of fun and accessible activities planned, including...

• Bounce house/moonwalk
• Sand art
• Crafts
• Treasure hunt
• Duck pond
• Bean bag toss
• Face painting
• Therapeutic horse-petting
• Bake sale

We'll also be selling raffle tickets for one of four prize baskets, each valued at $300 or more! Tickets are only $5 each, or $20 for a pack of 5 tickets. Here are the different prize options:

• Movie Night: Blu-ray player with movies, popcorn, candy. Value: $350
• Best of Austin: Everything you need for a gourmet picnic, including a catered dinner for 4, 2 bottles of wine, 6 VIP passes to the Zilker Hillside Theatre production of "The Sound of Music" (includes VIP parking, VIP tent access, VIP toilet access, and signed program from the cast), plus gift cards to local eateries. Value: $750
• Family Fun: Passes to the Blanton Museum, The Bob Bullock Museum, Dave & Busters, Maudie's Tex-Mex, Amy's Ice Cream, plus a $100 gift certificate to Cynthia Bloom Jewelry. Value: $300
• Kids Fun: Motorized kid's jeep, gift certificates to Inflatable Wonderland, plus fun summer toys! Value: $300

We hope to see you there!

More Parent Resources and a Reminder About our Super Fun Carnival

Being a parent can be joyful, frustrating, confusing, and enriching all at the same time! One thing everyone can agree on is that it's not always easy. To start your week off right, take a look at these parenting resources. Most of them are tailored to parents raising children with special needs, but parents of typically developing children can certainly find some good information here too.

National Parent Helpline

Call this helpline to get support from a team of advocates who can help you become a stronger parent, build greater resilience, and learn more about child development. Help is available in both English and Spanish.

How To Teach Chores to Your Special Needs Child

This article comes from the Friendship Circle blog, which has a great collection of blog entries and other resources for caregivers raising children with special needs. 

Ten Tips for Dressing a Sensory Sensitive Child

This is another helpful article from the Friendship Circle blog.

Safety for Children with Special Needs

Watch this video series from the Friendship Circle blog to learn about some safety hazards that may be relevant for your children.

Last but not least, put a big star on April 14 on your calendar, because that's when the Sammy's House spring carnival is! There's going to be a ton of fun and accessible activities for children of all abilities, as well as some truly exciting raffle prizes. The fun begins at 9am. Thanks to those of you who have already made a donation to sponsor the carnival's activities. If you're interested in sponsoring a booth or activity, contact sammyshousedev@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Free Resource for Parents at APL

The Austin Public Library has a new book on its shelves that may be of interest to parents raising children with special needs: The Special Needs Parent Handbook: Critical Strategies and Practical Advice to Help You Survive and Thrive by Jonathan Singer.

Go here to look up the book in the library's collection or ask a librarian at your local branch for help finding it. 

Remember to also save the date for our carnival -- Saturday, April 14, 9am - 12pm. This carnival is sure to be a blast, with a wide variety of accessible activities and games for children of all abilities. Come out and enjoy this nice (and brief) pre-summer weather, have fun with the whole family, and support Sammy's House, all at the same time! Contact sammyshousedev@gmail.com if you're interested in donating raffle items or making a donation to sponsor carnival activities.

April Respite Dates

You can view the respite calendar for April here. Our dates for April are Sunday, April 1 from 10am-2pm and Saturday, April 28th from 10am-2pm.

Kids at the April 1st session will go on a fun egg hunt, dye eggs, and color rabbits. Kids at the second session will do several fun activities involving water, such as rain painting and ice painting. It's going to be a fun month and we hope to see you there!

Contact b.hill@sammyshouse.org or call (512) 453-5258 to sign up for a session. Children of all abilities from age 0-8 are welcome!

2012 Carnival Details

Our annual spring carnival is going to be Saturday, April 14th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm! This fun, accessible event is designed for children of all abilities, and will be held at Sammy's House at 2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757. Some of the fun activities we have planned include: face painting, sand art, a train, a bounce house, therapeutic horse-petting, tasty snacks, and more!

Admission is by donation (suggested donation is $10 per family). All proceeds will go towards the programs of Sammy's House, including curriculum materials and adaptive equipment.

Here's what one Sammy’s House parent had to say about our first carnival and how it benefited her family:

Carter has disabilities which require him to be in a wheelchair. The carnival gave him “abilities” -- he was able to enjoy nearly all of the activities. I think his favorite was the duck pond which was raised to wheelchair-height to accommodate him. By the end of the day he was soaking wet from splashing in the pond! Nathan was on the train almost the entire time. Preston enjoyed roaming all over the carnival and collecting prizes. His self-esteem was soaring since everything was a win! I know there are many donations of time, money, equipment, and so many other things that volunteers and staff do, and not just for the carnival.  Please know that you are greatly appreciated. 

We hope to see you at the carnival! Please feel free to call us at (512) 453-5258 or email sammyshousedev@gmail.com should you have any questions. With your help, we can make sure that EVERY child has the chance to enjoy the fun atmosphere of a carnival during this lovely spring weather! 

Also: If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a booth, please see the information below to find out the different sponsorship levels and what your dollars will provide. Please let us know about your sponsorship commitment by Friday, March 30. Payment is due in full by Friday, April 6.

Sammy's House Carnival - Sponsorship Details

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Sponsorship of the carnival

Cost:  $1,000

Company name or logo prominently displayed throughout the carnival

10 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

10 Hot Dog Plates

2 sponsorships available at this level

Step Right Up!

Sponsorship of an activity (face painting, sand art, train, bounce house, therapy horse petting)

Cost:  $500

Company name or logo on 3 booth signs

5 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

5 Hot Dog Plates

5 sponsorships available at this level

Everyone's A Winner!

Sponsorship of a food or game booth

Cost:  $200

Company name or logo on 1 booth sign

3 Bracelets for unlimited entertainment/games

3 Hot Dog Plates

6 sponsorships available at this level

Updated Toy Wish List

We have an updated toy wish list! Thanks to the generosity of multiple donors, several items on our wish list have been purchased. Below is an updated list of adaptive toys and games we still need for our classrooms. 

*********************************************************************************

Sammy's House Toy Wish List

As of March 2012

All items are from www.constructiveplaythings.com

The Five Senses Series (5 books) - $39.95

Magnetic Fishing Fun (40 piece set) - $39.90

Sweet Treats (20 piece set) - $39.99

Exploring the Five Senses Library (100 piece set) - $44.99

Counting Cans (66 piece set) - $44.99

2-in-1 Scent Match (36 piece set with plastic carrying case) - $46.99

Wooden Ice Cream Game (game with wooden storage box) - $59.99

Frameworks Water Play Accessory Kit (23 piece set) - $59.99

Colors Book Series (10 books) - $79.50

Nature Exploration Set (star fish, seashells, pine cones, minerals, fossils, and precious stones in a wooden sorting box) - $94.99

Rolling Pathways (wooden structure with 6 accessories) - $129.99

Crayola Washable Tempera Paint (complete set of 8 gallons) - $158.99

Magic Magnetic Play Table (see-through table allowing movement of items using magnets) - $399.99

*********************************************************************************

There are two ways you can sponsor an item on our wish list, depending on what is most convenient for you: you can either mail us a check made out to Sammy's House in the amount of the item's cost, or you can order the item yourself (from Constructive Playthings) and have it shipped directly to Sammy's House (attn: Isabel Huerta) at 2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757.

We plan to add additional items in the coming months as we assess the needs in our classrooms. We aim to include items in a wide range of prices. If you would like to sponsor a toy in the $10-30 range, you can simply send us a check or PayPal payment in your chosen amount and designate the funds for classroom toys and games.

If you would like any additional information or if you have a specific question about our wish list, please don't hesitate to contact us at sammyshousedev@gmail.com or (512) 453-5258. Thank you!

News and Updates

This is shaping up to be a busy spring here at Sammy's House. Our kids continue to grow and learn every day and are enjoying the lovely weather out on our playground. Here are a couple of reminders and updates about Sammy's House happenings:

Sammy's House Carnival

This annual spring fundraising event features food, games, face-painting, and other family-friendly and adaptive activities accessible to children of all abilities. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a booth or making a donation, email sammyshousedev@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!

March Respite Program

Click here to see our calendar for respite sessions in March. Care is offered in four hour blocks at Sammy's House for children of all abilities. Everyone is welcome -- no need to be enrolled in Sammy's House!

Strikes for Tikes

Visit the Strikes for Tikes website to learn more about this awesome bowling event benefiting Sammy's House. It's going to be a lot of fun, and all proceeds will go straight into our programming! Be sure to RSVP by March 15.

Upcoming Closures

Just a reminder that Sammy's House will be closed March 12-16 for Spring Break. Also remember to "spring forward" and set your clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 11.

Job Opportunity
We're currently hiring for a substitute teacher position. For more information, contact our Program Director at sammyshousecenterpd@yahoo.com.

Email Newsletter
If you're interested in receiving our occasional email newsletters, click here to sign up through Constant Contact.

Questions? Comments? Email sammyshousedev@gmail.com.

Respite Care in March

If you're a parent/caregiver looking for a super affordable, super convenient option for respite care, Sammy's House is here to help! 

Our March respite sessions will be on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00am-2:00pm, and Saturday, March 24th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Each session will feature fun springtime activities: we'll make popcorn bluebonnets, have some fun with the color green, do some rain painting, and make hand print flowers. 

As a reminder, here are the respite guidelines:

• Children ages 0-8 with and without special needs are welcome. Children do not have to attend Sammy's House to participate -- it's open to anyone!
• $25 per session, per child
• $8 per additional sibling, limit 3
• Care is provided at Sammy's House (2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757)
• Please contact our Respite Coordinator, Brittany Hill, no later than the Wednesday before the session you are wanting to sign up for. You can call her at 512-453-5258 or email her at b.hill@sammyshouse.org.

We hope to see you at one or both of the March sessions!

Bowling for a Cause - Strikes for Tikes

Do you love bowling, and want a fun way to support your favorite nonprofit?

Then you should sign up for the 2012 Strikes for Tikes event, happening Friday, March 30!

This annual event benefiting Sammy's House is hosted by the Texas Hill Country Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Last year they raised $11,000 for us -- let's break that record this year!

Here's the schedule for the evening:
5:00-5:30pm - Networking
5:30-8:30pm - Bowling!

Here's the bowling alley's address:
300 AMF Showplace Lanes
9504 North IH-35
Austin

Check out the Strikes for Tikes website for more information and make sure to RSVP by March 15.

We're Hiring!

Do you love kids and want to make a difference in your community? We currently have a teacher position open in our toddler room and are looking for a high-energy, dedicated individual to join our team! Visit our Employment page for more information about the position. All questions and correspondence should be directed to our Program Director at sammyshousecenterpd@yahoo.com.

Reminder About Feb. 11 Respite Session

Valentine's Day is approaching...as you think about loved ones this year and what they mean to you, take a moment to send some of that love to Sammy's House by making a donation.

Also, if you sign up for our respite session on Saturday, February 11th from 6pm to 10pm, the kids will have a little Valentine's party to celebrate. It's sure to be a ton of fun! Contact our Respite Coordinator at (512) 453-5258 or b.hill@sammyshouse.org if you're interested in signing your child up.

Lastly, check out this resource for caregivers, the Texas Child Care newsletter. They have a variety of articles for parents and other caregivers. Happy reading!

Looking for Respite Care?

Having access to regular, affordable respite care is a must-have for parents of children with special needs. Everyone needs a break from the kiddos to catch up with errands, have a date night, or de-stress with some alone time. The Sammy's House respite program is the perfect way to do that, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your child is being cared for by certified Sammy's House teachers in a safe, enriching, and inclusive environment. 

This month, we're offering two Saturday respite sessions: Saturday the 11th from 6pm - 10pm (the perfect chance for a Valentine's date!) and Saturday the 18th from 10am - 2pm. Sessions are open to children with or without special needs, ages 0-8. The cost of each session is $25 per child, and $8 per additional sibling with a limit of three. Care is provided at Sammy's House, which is located at 2415 Twin Oaks Dr. Austin, TX 78757.

To register for an upcoming session or to be added to our respite email list, contact our Respite Coordinator, Brittany Hill, at:

Phone: 512-453-5258
Cell: 512-796-0606
Email: b.hill@sammyshouse.org

Vote for Us!

Go down to Monkey Nest and vote for Sammy's House to receive a certain percentage of their sales next month! Monkey Nest is a local coffee shop located at 5353 Burnet Rd. in Austin, and they have a "give back to the community" initiative where they select a nonprofit each month to receive a portion of their profits. This is a really easy way to help out Sammy's House!

How to vote: When you walk into the cafe from the main entrance (not the side entrance), there's a sign/advertisement straight ahead of you, in front of the counter where you pick up drinks. You'll see a little plastic box stuck to the front of the sign. Just write Sammy's House on a piece of paper and put it in that plastic box. Thanks!

Join Our Email List!

Are you interested in receiving occasional emails about the wonderful work going on at Sammy's House? 

Sign up for our email newsletter

We anticipate sending no more than 6 emails per year, and you can always unsubscribe later if you want to stop receiving the emails altogether. 

Sammy's House Family Stories

Are you the parent or caregiver of a child who attends Sammy's House? If so, we want to hear from you! We are continually in need of stories from the families we serve for several different reasons. Here's a couple of examples of how your story can help Sammy's House:

1. We sometimes use quotes from families in our grant proposals when we're requesting funding for our programs. These quotes are extremely valuable for showing funders how we affect the lives of real families -- demonstrating our mission in action.
2. Another place we use family stories is when we send updates and thank-yous to agencies that have given us funding. This is an excellent way to show them the impact we're having in our community thanks to their support.
3. Stories from families are also a great addition to the materials we hand out at fairs and events where we're raising awareness about Sammy's House. These events often result in funding for the organization, but are also a great way for us to connect with families in the area who could benefit from our services.

If you're hesitating to share your story because you feel like anything you have to say will be boring or unimportant, never fear! What may seem like old hat to you may be very interesting and insightful to a donor who has never interacted with a special needs child, or a foundation that isn't familiar with child care. Rest assured that your story matters, and it can have a real impact on helping Sammy's House, no matter what your child's needs are or how long you have been with Sammy's House.

If you would like to share your story with us, feel free to use the following questions as a starting point:

• What is your child's name?
• What is your child's date of birth?
• What year did your child start attending Sammy's House?
• Why did you choose Sammy's House over other daycare centers?
• What did you use for child care before you found out about Sammy's House (if applicable)?
• How has Sammy's House helped your child and/or your family?
• What are some of your child's unique needs and how does Sammy's House address them (if applicable)?
• What is one thing about Sammy's House that you appreciate the most or take the most comfort from?
• Is there anything else you would like someone to know if they were considering whether to make a donation to Sammy's House?

Once you've developed your story, you can email it to our Development Director at sammyshousedev@gmail.com. If you're concerned about privacy, we can make your story anonymous by changing your name and your child's name. Just let us know and we'll be happy to accommodate your situation. If you prefer to talk about your child in person or over the phone, just email sammyshousedev@gmail.com to set up a time to meet. 

Will You Be Our Friend?

One of the many challenges faced by a small nonprofit is finding cheap (or free!) ways to get the word out about what we do, engage our donors and supporters, and keep everyone informed about our mission and how it's addressing important needs in the community. Social media is a great tool for accomplishing all of these goals...but only if people connect with us!

As we go through the first week of the new year, please stop and spend a few minutes to connect with us online if you haven't already done so. We make a concerted effort not to have too much cross-posting between all the different websites, so rest assured that you won't be reading the same things over and over again.

Friending us on Facebook or following us on Twitter not only keeps you informed about what we're up to, but is also a fantastic way to spread the word about Sammy's House to others who may not have heard of us. That's why it's so important to share our Facebook posts with your friends or re-tweet our Twitter posts to your follower list. If we can reach just one additional person who didn't know about us before, that's one more person who is now a potential donor or supporter. 

Here's where you can find us: 

Facebook

Twitter

Also, don't forget about GoodSearch, which makes a donation every time you search online. We already have 29 supporters, and we'd like to see even more! Read our past posting about GoodSearch in this blog to get the details.

Happy New Year from Sammy's House

Now that a new year is upon us, it's beneficial to stop and reflect about goals and priorities for the coming year. If you're like many Central Texans, you are committed to making our community a better and more welcoming place for people of all abilities. It can be difficult to find the time to make informed decisions about charitable giving, and in a philanthropically minded city like Austin, there are always an abundance of worthy causes but limited dollars to go around. 

We hope that as you make plans for what's important to you in 2012, you spend a few moments considering what role you can play in supporting Sammy's House. If you made a donation in 2011, we are deeply grateful for your generosity. If you want to support Sammy's House but haven't been able to yet, please know that even volunteering a few hours of your time can make a real impact to our organization. Also remember that any donation, of any size, can represent meaningful support to the fragile children who rely on us. If you still aren't sure who we are or would like more information about us, contact our Development Director at sammyshousedev@gmail.com and we will be happy to help. We are providing a crucially needed service to children with special needs in Austin, and our staff members are committed to giving these children the tools they need to succeed.

This year, renew your commitment to giving back, and consider how you can personally help Sammy's House remain a special place for special children.

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