As the calendar
approaches Thanksgiving, I have started to look back at the past year. I
want to thank all of the SBGNO members and friends that have volunteered
their time to help make a difference in the lives of individuals with
Spina Bifida and their families.
Our year starts off
with our first fund raising event and family outing in April. High
School students for all over the Greater New Orleans areas form teams
for Slam and Jam. This is a volleyball tournament that raises funds to
support Camp Friendship. During the event SBGNO members pass out
information about Folic Acid Awareness. We also had our annual Family
Picnic with about 50 family members in attendance, this is a laid back
chance for families to enjoy the day together and share information with
each other.
It’s May and things
are getting very business for SBGNO, 2nd Annual Red Bug Hill
Challenge was a huge success. I would like to thank Jordy Rourke’s
Family for all the long hours and hard work that went into making this
event into a wonderful way to honor their son who had Spina Bifida and
passed away. SBGNO has used funds from this event to help young adults
with SB attend the national Spina Bifida Conference the last two years.
SBGNO members manned the water and rest stations during the races. Great
event and I look forward to next year.
In June, SBGNO
members attended the National Spina Bifida Conference in Anaheim, California. This year 17
members made the trip. Conference is a 3 day event with speakers on a
wide range of subject matter. It a chance for individual with SB to
spend time with others that are going thru the same issues that they
are. SBGNO was able to cover the registration fees for all members and
$300 toward hotel expenses for each family attending. Due to the success
of all the fund raising this year we are going to raise the hotel
stipend to $450 for the next Conference.
July, Camp
Friendship, what more do I need to stay. Kids from all over the state,
southern Mississippi, and even a few other states attended this year.
Ms. Cindy and her staff put on another wonderful camp. No where else can
a kid with Spina Bifida enjoy a wonderful week of fun with other kids
just like themselves than at Camp Friendship. During camp this year Judy
Otto lead our chapter with our 1st Annual Parent Conference.
Twenty parents attended the two day conference, which had 2 Doctors and
staff from Families Helping Families of Jefferson share valuable
information with the attendees. SBGNO made sure that moms and dads had
the chance to attend and learn, a Sib Camp for the brothers and sister of campers at
Camp Friendship was held at the same
time. Both were a first for SBGNO.
The month of October
is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and SBGNO did more to raise awareness
and to promote prevention of Spina Bifida than ever before. We mailed
information about Folic Acid Awareness to every Louisiana State Health
Unit, all Universities Student Health Units, all 10 Families Helping
Families centers and local Greater New Orleans Doctors. SBGNO had a
booth at the 2nd Annual Baby Fest, members passed out promo
items that had our Folic Acid message and our Folic Acid Brochures. Ms.
Julie attended a Conference for medical professional and also passed out
information about SB and Folic Acid Awareness. At the end of the month
we held the 5th Ghost Bowl a thon and had many first for the
event.
Here are some of
them:
24 teams this year
vs. 18 last year, 8 outside volunteers vs. none last year, 64 bowlers
registered on line vs. none last year, 41 bowlers created a fund raising
page vs. 5 last year, 23 bowlers received donations on line vs. 5 last
year, Avg. amount per fund raising page was $ 337.40 vs. $97 last
year. Before expenses we raised over $20,000 this year vs. $17,018.47
last year. A special “Thank You” goes to Gwenn Marelo, who recruited 10
teams to bowl this year.
I am thankful to all
who have volunteer their time this year working with SBGNO to help
improve the lives of all who have Spina Bifida and their family members.
Your hard work has paid off in many ways during the year.
I am also thankful
to have a Board of Directors that are dedicated to our mission and have
answered every request I have made of them during the year.
Happy Thanksgiving
and Merry Christmas.
Al Hitt
Board President
