Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Welcome and Introduction by Sidney J.'15
Moderator: Natasha S.'.15

Youth LEAD OKC participants
Hunter S. Seondre C.  Carmen C. (Casady)., Sam K., (HH) Dane N. and Family, Matt T. (Douglas High School) ,  A.R. Tolub (Mercy School Institute), Shannon P. (YMCA), Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Spicer

Youth LEAD OKCasady Presents

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Welcome and Introduction by Sidney J.'15
Moderator: Natasha S.'.15

Youth LEAD OKC expected participants
Hunter S.'15 Seondre C.'15  Carmen C'74. (Casady)., Sam K., (HH) Dane N. and Family (Douglas High School) , Daires (Westmore High School-Flyer). A.R. Tolub (Mercy School Institute), Shannon P. (YMCA), Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Spicer (Casady Parents)

A Memorable Collaborative Cyclone Experience

24-Hour Playwriting Project- Five World Premiers Created In A Day

Directors, play writers, performers, and stage crew gathered at 7:00 PM, Friday, November 15 to create, produce and perform an original script with one required guideline; a "fortune cookie fortune" had to be part of the script somehow.

 

 

Boxes and giant post-it notes held the preliminary organization of the five world premiers created in a day.  By luck of the draw, the sequence of the plays and pick of cast, the director, and the play writer were assigned.  Play writers provided a finished play to Mr. Crofton by 6:30 AM.  Mr. Crofton made copies for directors to read the play at 7:30 AM.   Plays were in rehearsals by 8:00 AM as the group enjoyed the generosity of the Johnson Family who provided doughnuts and Earl's Barbeque for lunch for the enterprising cast and crew.

Rehearsals started immediately.  I followed closely the play "School Spirit" written by Thomas Fleming, featuring Catherine Christie and Jimmy Brown and the fortune "You will receive an offer you cannot refuse." because I provided transportation for its director, 87 year old,  Marolyn Stout.  Mrs. Stout is part of the Casady Service-Learning Program because a book about her story as a garment industry leader, radio and television personality is being created by Jordan Richrds'14.    Mrs. Stout's  "School Spirit" crew finalize gathering props, costume and lights before lunch.  The final rehearsal with technical assistance by Troy and Mr. Crofton took place at 3:30 PM.  At few minutes after  7:00 PM, "School Spirit" had its world premiere as the first play featured at Fee Theater.  BRAVO!
School Spirit!

Other world premiers were

Death, "You will always be successful in your professional carer"  featured  Gabby Jones (Playwright), Sophie Bright (Director), Fiona Rendon, Philip Pippin, and Alexandra Williams (Cast)

The Interrogation, "Your exotic ideas lead to many new exciting adventures" featured Andrew Johnson (Playwright), Joe Bonfiglio (Director), Emory Hood, Lulu Abuelshar, Deja Kirk, and Turner Waddell (Cast)

A Match Made in Heaven, "Good news of a long-awaited event will arrive soon" featured Olivia Sprankle (Playwright), Bobby Sanford (Director), Kaloh Gier and Natalie Robinson (Cast)

All I have, "A gathering of friends brings you lots of luck this evening" featured Carl Albert and Conner Coles (Playwright), Preston Taylor (Director), Brenden Moss (Cast)

PD Walk of Hope

In the news from YSA America and WFP

How To Help Phillipines Super Typhoon Haiyan Survivors As with any natural disaster, the fastest and most effective way for young people (or anyone) to help is through philanthropy projects to provide support to organizations working in affected areas. You can find information about how to help at http://1.usa.gov/HWstT1. YSA especially recommends our Global Youth Service Network partners, GlobalGiving's Super Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund and ShelterBox.   Casady YAC, As you know, Super Typhoon Haiyan rocked the infrastructure of the Philippines and left millions in need of food assistance. I want you to know that food is arriving. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has already begun distributing food to people whose lives were swept away by the strongest storm ever to make landfall, less than a month after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the same region. WFP is among the first on the ground when disasters strike and serves as the logistics arm of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating efforts between humanitarian organizations. Never is this role more important than after a disaster like this. While the scale of this disaster is still emerging, early estimates suggest the storm has affected more than 11 million people in the Philippines. WFP raced into action and is actively working to supply food to those in need. So what is WFP doing to help? Feeding Families In the early stages of an emergency, when people have lost everything and have no access to food, clean water or electricity, WFP distributes High-Energy Biscuits as one of the first sources of food. WFP prepares for potential disasters by pre-positioning relief materials around the world in what are called “Humanitarian Response Depots,” allowing for a fast response in an emergency. WFP has already flown in 44 metric tons of High-Energy Biscuits and more food arrives daily. O n Wednesday alone, WFP distributed family packs to 49,000 people affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Each family pack contains rice, purchased locally by WFP, and canned goods.  In addition, WFP has delivered 44 metric tons of High-Energy Biscuits, packed with 450 calories of nutrients to prevent starvation. Because they are light, compact and pre-packaged, they are sanitary, easy to transport, and don’t require cooking. WFP has a difficult job ahead; movement throughout the Philippines is impaired by closed roads and security concerns. To get food into the hands of as many hungry people as possible as quickly as possible, roads must be cleared of the massive debris and infrastructure must be restored so relief can reach the hardest-hit communities. With a catastrophe of this scope, only combined and coordinated efforts will bring the needed relief. Right now, WFP is working around the clock with the national government, local authorities and NGO partners. Overcoming Logistical Challenges To that end, in addition to distributing food, WFP coordinates both the logistics and emergency telecommunications efforts of the humanitarian community. WFP logistics and communications equipment has already begun arriving in the Philippines from WFP’s stores in Malaysia. WFP has deployed IT experts who are now on the ground in Cebu and Tacloban, working to establish connectivity to aid workers. WFP is also transporting in infrastructure including prefabricated offices, mobile storage units, generators and radio equipment, vital to emergency relief because it allows the government and humanitarian community to coordinate and organize response efforts. Going Forward Based on an assessment of needs and the capability of all partners involved, WFP plans to implement general food distribution, emergency food-for-assets, and emergency cash-for-assets activities for 2.5 million people over the next six months. Activities like these are not possible without the support of people like you. We will not relent in our efforts to provide food to hungry people and greatly appreciate your support and commitment. I will keep you apprised of the evolving circumstances in the Philippines. For more on the situation in the Philippines, please visit www.wfpusa.org/philippines.  If you’d like to learn how you can help, please visit www.wfpusa.org/emergency. Thank you for everything you do, Rick Richard Leach President and CEO World Food Program USA Donations for the United Nations World Food Program at https://secure2.convio.net/fwfp/site/Donation2;jsessionid=B43ADBC3978722CC926AD6F83F892082.app262a?df_id=2141&2141.donation=form1&utm_source=Philippines%20Situation%20Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Situation%20Update%20Email
MLK Day of Service - January 20 It's time to start planning for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service!  View the video of the first 2014 MLK Day webinar - "Public/Private Partnerships that Increase Economic Opportunities for Communities" - and register for upcoming webinars on topics including "Communications and Marketing" and "Volunteer Recruitment & Retention (with a focus on veterans and military families)" at http://1.usa.gov/qH6axE   On the MLKDay.gov website, you'll also find toolkits to help you plan, the opportunity to register or find projects, promotional resources, and information about how to order MLK Drum Majors for Service awards to recognize your volunteers. www.MLKDay.gov

November Service Days

Make cards thanking and supporting our wounded warriors 

Woolsey House Wing @ the Service-Learning Office

8:00 AM-3:30 PM
(UD During Personal Free Time)

 MD/LD/PD:  Office basket collection

Cards will be mailed 11/20/2013
 

 

 

 

 

 
From Point of Light Foundation
On Veterans Day, three powerful stories of service

This Veterans Day, I’d like to pay tribute to all veterans by telling you the story of three people – a boy who lost his dad on 9/11, an Army helicopter pilot and West Point graduate, and a Marine coping with PTSD. All three are making a difference through their service to America’s returning heroes.

At age 5, Sean Egan lost his father, a New York fire captain, on 9/11. Today he is a senior at Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island and founder of Hearing Our Heroes, an organization of 300 high school students who regularly visit and help veterans. They shovel snow in winter, do yard work in the summer, and come up with a surprise every now and then.

This summer, they surprised returning combat veteran Army Private Rasheed Akbar. During his deployment in Kuwait, Rasheed's young daughter was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment. Like too many other military families must, the Akbars had to endure great sadness and hardship while separated. When Rasheed's tour of duty was finally complete, Hearing Our Heroes honored his service and his family's sacrifice with a celebration of his homecoming.

Sean is today’s Daily Point of Light Award winner. Read more about him here.

Erica Jeffries served in the Army for five years, flying helicopters to deliver supplies to the troops. Today she’s a diversity officer at Exelis, a defense and aerospace company in Reston, Va. Exelis partners with Points of Light and AmeriCorps to support the Community Blueprint and Veteran Leader Corps, national programs that coordinate and improve services for returning veterans and their families.

Erica is one of the Exelis Action Corps leaders who are dedicated to serving veterans and military families. Erica and her co-workers volunteer regularly with Fisher House, a nonprofit providing temporary housing for military families near hospitals where their loved ones are recovering from combat injuries.

“When I was on active duty, my mother was able to stay at Fisher House in Texas while I was in the hospital,” says Erica. “It was a wonderful gift and a blessing to our family.” Read more about Erica's story here.

Heath Cobb, a former Marine who served in the Middle East, returned home with what he calls “the scars of war.” As he writes, “Rehab and mental institutions became commonplace. My often bizarre behavior was fueled by rage and I found myself in a vicious cycle of hate.”

An aunt suggested to Heath that he get involved in the community as a volunteer. The effort turned his life around. “I found the pride I felt when serving others was the same pride I felt by defending others,” he writes. “Suddenly, almost overnight, my sense of self was restored, my identity renewed.”

Today Heath is an AmeriCorps member and a member of Points of Light’s Veteran Leader Corps serving other veterans in Georgia. Read more about him here.

Today let us remember, thank and celebrate veterans. And let us honor their service and sacrifice through our actions. Please volunteer, advocate for and support veterans and their families. Click here to learn more.

In service,

Tracy Hoover
President
Points of Light 

Veterans Day

Monday November 11, 2013

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

 

 

Veterans Day Cards made by LD After School Care and Boys and Girls Club were delivered by Mrs. Clay to  Epwort Villa . 

Casady Orchestra honors Veterans Day with a concert for Veterans at Epworth Villa

 

  

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Celebrate the power of families who volunteer together supporting neighborhoods, communities, and the world

NOVEMBER 23, 2013

From Generation On. ORG  http://www.generationon.org/parents

Family Volunteer Day, a Points of Light signature day of service, demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world.

For 22 years, Family Volunteer Day has been held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to "kick-off" the holiday season with giving and service. This year Family Volunteer Day takes place on November 23rd. Disney Friends For Change is the presenting sponsor of Family Volunteer Day 2013 and Embassy Suites is a supporting sponsor.

Volunteering as a family is fun! Family volunteering encourages the members of a family to volunteer as a unit. It can be done by the whole family together, by one parent and one child or teen, or with extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It can be as simple as creating cards for children in the hospital or as complex as bonding hundreds of families together in a day of service at a community park. However families choose to do it, families engaged in service can help mobilize thousands of new volunteers and instill in the next generation a lifelong commitment to volunteering.
Get Involved!
Families are super teams! The combination of ages and generations in your family means you have everything needed to effect meaningful change in your community: energy, creativity, passion, knowledge, experience and different perspectives and skills (plus practical things like a car.)

1. Find a volunteer opportunity near you! (Please note: this links you to HandsOn Network's Action Centers across the country). 
2. Want to create your own family volunteer project? Here are some examples to get you started!
3. Reflection: An important part of participating in service is reflection. Chances are that you will learn something from the experience of helping others. Download a tool to help you with reflection.

Additional Resources

 Family Volunteer Day Toolkit (pdf)

This is a guide for families to use together to plan their service projects. The combination of ages and generations in your family means you have everything needed to effect meaningful change in your community: energy, creativity, passion, knowledge, experience and different perspectives and skills.

November 23: Family Volunteer Day

 

NOVEMBER 23, 2013

From Generation On. ORG  http://www.generationon.org/parents

Family Volunteer Day, a Points of Light signature day of service, demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world.

For 22 years, Family Volunteer Day has been held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to "kick-off" the holiday season with giving and service. This year Family Volunteer Day takes place on November 23rd. Disney Friends For Change is the presenting sponsor of Family Volunteer Day 2013 and Embassy Suites is a supporting sponsor.

Volunteering as a family is fun! Family volunteering encourages the members of a family to volunteer as a unit. It can be done by the whole family together, by one parent and one child or teen, or with extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It can be as simple as creating cards for children in the hospital or as complex as bonding hundreds of families together in a day of service at a community park. However families choose to do it, families engaged in service can help mobilize thousands of new volunteers and instill in the next generation a lifelong commitment to volunteering.
Get Involved!
Families are super teams! The combination of ages and generations in your family means you have everything needed to effect meaningful change in your community: energy, creativity, passion, knowledge, experience and different perspectives and skills (plus practical things like a car.)

1. Find a volunteer opportunity near you! (Please note: this links you to HandsOn Network's Action Centers across the country). 
2. Want to create your own family volunteer project? Here are some examples to get you started!
3. Reflection: An important part of participating in service is reflection. Chances are that you will learn something from the experience of helping others. Download a tool to help you with reflection.

Additional Resources

 Family Volunteer Day Toolkit (pdf)

This is a guide for families to use together to plan their service projects. The combination of ages and generations in your family means you have everything needed to effect meaningful change in your community: energy, creativity, passion, knowledge, experience and different perspectives and skills.

International Education Week: 11/12-11/18

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

We encourage the participation of all individuals and institutions interested in international education and exchange activities, including schools, colleges and universities, embassies, international organizations, businesses, associations, and community organizations. Individuals and institutions tend to hold IEW events as it is convenient for them in their local communities. We want you to celebrate as much and as often as you like!

To that end, we are providing promotional materials that allow you the flexibility to promote events whenever they may be planned! Our activities will begin on November 12 with the release of Open Doors, an annual survey that provides information about international and U.S. student study abroad and will continue through the week of November 18.

See more at: http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/international-education-week/#sthash.f8SMOncT.dpuf

The 2013 Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors Report is out! Check out the link below for the latest facts & figures in study abroad, and international education, including the top universities hosting international students, how many U.S. students studied abroad last year, and where they all went. http://goo.gl/v3h3VO #IEW2013

Support Thanksgiving Cards for Wounded Warriors

Thanksgiving and support cards for Wounded Warriors are being made by all divisions.  PD and LD are making cards in After School Care in collaboration with after school care faculty Mrs. Linn, Mr. Lopez and Mrs. Clay.  Maggie Adair'16, YAC-Youth LEADOKCasady, facilitator of this project, spoke at LD and MD chapels inspiring everyone to make cards on their own time and place them on baskets at the front offices.  The Service-Learning office located at the Woolsey Wing is also providing time and resources for any interested student or faculty to make cards.  Maggie will send cards to the Wooden Warrior program
Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs.aspx; 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 on November 20th.

 

From Point of Light Foundation: Stories of Service

On Veterans Day, three powerful stories of service

This Veterans Day, I’d like to pay tribute to all veterans by telling you the story of three people – a boy who lost his dad on 9/11, an Army helicopter pilot and West Point graduate, and a Marine coping with PTSD. All three are making a difference through their service to America’s returning heroes.

At age 5, Sean Egan lost his father, a New York fire captain, on 9/11. Today he is a senior at Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island and founder of Hearing Our Heroes, an organization of 300 high school students who regularly visit and help veterans. They shovel snow in winter, do yard work in the summer, and come up with a surprise every now and then.

This summer, they surprised returning combat veteran Army Private Rasheed Akbar. During his deployment in Kuwait, Rasheed's young daughter was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment. Like too many other military families must, the Akbars had to endure great sadness and hardship while separated. When Rasheed's tour of duty was finally complete, Hearing Our Heroes honored his service and his family's sacrifice with a celebration of his homecoming.

Sean is today’s Daily Point of Light Award winner. Read more about him here.

Erica Jeffries served in the Army for five years, flying helicopters to deliver supplies to the troops. Today she’s a diversity officer at Exelis, a defense and aerospace company in Reston, Va. Exelis partners with Points of Light and AmeriCorps to support the Community Blueprint and Veteran Leader Corps, national programs that coordinate and improve services for returning veterans and their families.

Erica is one of the Exelis Action Corps leaders who are dedicated to serving veterans and military families. Erica and her co-workers volunteer regularly with Fisher House, a nonprofit providing temporary housing for military families near hospitals where their loved ones are recovering from combat injuries.

“When I was on active duty, my mother was able to stay at Fisher House in Texas while I was in the hospital,” says Erica. “It was a wonderful gift and a blessing to our family.” Read more about Erica's story here.

Heath Cobb, a former Marine who served in the Middle East, returned home with what he calls “the scars of war.” As he writes, “Rehab and mental institutions became commonplace. My often bizarre behavior was fueled by rage and I found myself in a vicious cycle of hate.”

An aunt suggested to Heath that he get involved in the community as a volunteer. The effort turned his life around. “I found the pride I felt when serving others was the same pride I felt by defending others,” he writes. “Suddenly, almost overnight, my sense of self was restored, my identity renewed.”

Today Heath is an AmeriCorps member and a member of Points of Light’s Veteran Leader Corps serving other veterans in Georgia. Read more about him here.

Today let us remember, thank and celebrate veterans. And let us honor their service and sacrifice through our actions. Please volunteer, advocate for and support veterans and their families. Click here to learn more.

In service,

Tracy Hoover
President
Points of Light

Veterans Day

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

Monday November 11, 2013

 

Casady Orchestra Performs at Epworth Villa Honoring Veterans

 

 

 Veterans Day Cards made by Casady After School Care and Boys and Girls Club at Memorial Par delivered to Epworth