Kayla’s Directory would like to thank Heritage Automotive, dealer of both Ford and Toyota automobiles, for becoming a sponsor. I personally have been a customer of theirs for quite some time and have been incredibly happy with them. They have an incredible service department, auto shine, and remarkable collisions center - all of which I have had to unfortunately use! More importantly, Heritage Automotive believes in helping make a difference in the community and they understand that Kayla’s Directory is having a positive impact on children with special needs, their families, and the community as a whole. We are very proud that Heritage has agreed to assist us in fulfilling our mission and that they too believe that community is an important component of the human experience and that a fulfilled and happy life is one that is shared. Enabling children with special needs to participate in activities like their less … [Read more...]
Need a gift idea for teachers?
The end of the school year is right around the corner. A great gift for teachers, bus drivers, para-educators, or administration is a Teachers Appreciation gift bag from Great Harvest Bread Company on Pine Street. We have gone to Great Harvest for years. The owners, Ethan and Sarah, are incredible people and very generous! They donated wonderful treats for our mini-milers running group in the spring. Here is what you get for $18.00: 1 loaf of whole wheat bread, 1 huge bag of granola, and 1 coupon for a free loaf of bread. This all comes in a nicely decorated bag. … [Read more...]
Celebrate Team Hoyt and “In the ‘Nick’ of Time”
Today was the Vermont City Marathon and Kayla went down to cheer on her father and Ted Painter. Ted is part of the team "In the 'Nick' of Time" which is a competitive running team composed of partners Nick Draper and Ted Painter. Both Nick and Ted are members of the New England chapter of Team Hoyt http://www.teamhoyt.com/index.html. Team Hoyt Foundation is a non-profit organization that aspires to encourage children with special needs to be a part of their community. Nick Draper was born with a rare condition called Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease. This disease impairs motor function development and, in Nicks case, has left him with extremely limited mobility. Although limited by mobility, Nick has an unlimited amount of drive and determination to lead a full life. Ted Painter is a lifelong runner and experienced marathon competitor who was looking to find a way to use time spent running to benefit more than his own health … [Read more...]
Area High School Students Have Huge Impact on Children with Special Needs
Every Saturday, fifteen special needs children show up at the Edge Sports in Fitness in South Burlington eagerly anticipating Run Vermont’s Mini-Miler program. Unlike typical Mini-Milers programs, this particular program has been designed to help those children who have special needs engage in a program that has been adapted to meet their needs. No matter their disability; autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and other neurological conditions they all courageously make their way around the track. And right beside each child is a local high school student, assisting the individual throughout the program and sharing their excitement and feelings of accomplishment. Without the help of the numerous high school volunteers the program would not be possible and I want to specifically recognize them for their efforts. This program relies on mentors. The children participating in the program need someone to … [Read more...]
A Celebration of Accomplishment
Today concluded our first Mini-milers program. For the past six weeks, fifteen children with various disabilities gathered together to run laps around a track with fifteen or more high school mentors assisting and encouraging them each step of the way. Over the month and a half, every child increased the distance they covered and the group collectively improved from 123 laps the first week to 161 laps today. The courage, strength, and resiliency these kids show is Olympic and inspiring. After the final steps on the track were taken, each child received a medal and a certificate of completion from Run Vermont and Kayla's Directory to bring home. We concluded the session as usual with the children sitting in a circle to receive a well-earned and eagerly anticipated snack. As a special treat this week, Leonardo's generously donated several delicious pizzas which the children consumed with great delight. We cannot thank them … [Read more...]