Within a year, Kayla’s Directory has listed over 100 resources, programs, and activities on our website. We have run the following programs: a 6-week adaptive running program and an 8-week “cooking is for EVERYONE” program. We have had the following events: Birthdays for ALL, Build a teddy-bear, and sponsor “Friends on the go” social outing. We have purchased the following equipment: 2 adaptive all-terrain strollers for Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Museum, 1 adaptive grocery cart for Healthy Living, and 1 adaptive Sled for Catamount Outdoor Family Center.
In the next year, we will sponsor monthly “Friends on the go” social outings, offer monthly cooking classes, offer a 6-week “Successful Skating class”, purchase more adaptive equipment, and continue to expand our online resource page.
All of this year’s accomplishments are the result of the incredible, generous community that we live in. Through this process, we have made amazing connections with children, families, organizations, and businesses. It is because of these connections that we were able to be successful. We would like to thank the following:
Collaborations:
- Healthy Living for working with us to create an 8-week cooking class for children. In particular, learning center coordinator Clarina Cravins, who led every class with ease – and a lot of humor!
- The Edge for allowing us to utilize their gym for our 6-week running program. A special shout-out to Mike Feitelberg and Terry Lalancette!
- UVM Athletic Department for being so accommodating with numerous activities and for applying our suggestions. To be specific: Katherine Hall for answering all our questions and directing us who to talk to and Nora King for assisting us with our “Birthday Party” and Zamboni rides! The amazing facility guys, Mike & Thad, who have been so accommodating to the numerous special needs children we have brought to the rink! The amazing UVM women’s hockey team, for taking the time to skate with us after the party and making connections with the kids. Madi Litchfield for her amazing support, advocacy, and commitment to making a difference.
- Skirack for believing in our mission and making a difference by sponsoring our t-shirts! Also their incredible staff: Karen George for supporting the work we are doing. Kyle Darling, Doug, Wit, and Roger for all their help and patience in adapting equipment for children with special needs.
- Leonardo’s Pizza for sponsoring our “Cocktails for a Cause”. Specifically, Sara Byers & Kelly Byers for their encouragement and support through this process.
- Vermont Systems for sponsoring our “Cocktails for a Cause”. Particularly, Bob & Sandy Willey, Kate Mitchell, and Giles Willey for their strong values in helping those with special needs!
- Spherion and Ken Ballard for supporting our work with children with special needs!
- Martone’s Market for making table space for amazing art, the proceeds of which support Kayla’s Directory.
- Bond Auto for supporting us to purchase an adaptive all-terrain stroller.
- Wildflower Studios for being so accommodating and flexible with planning “Friends on the go” that was held at their studio.
Amazing Moms
- Emily Sutton for truly expressing herself in our video and talking about the struggle of raising a child with special needs.
- Sarah Fabrizio & Amanda O’Neil for organizing a “fitness” fundraiser and providing advocacy for Kayla’s Directory. (And Sarah for writing some incredible blogs!!!)
- Jen Josinsky for donating a beautiful piñata and Happy Birthday sign to benefit Kayla’s Directory.
- Kristen Lee for starting “Friends on the Go” and for bringing families together!
- Mia Marinovich for her continued support for the directory via Martone’s Market and for being in our newscast!
Families
- The Robertson Family for allowing Grant to give hours of his time to videotape numerous families to produce a touching video for us! His sister, Nora, for volunteering her time at the Birthday Party, and Marianne & Brad for all your volunteering and time spent with us.
- Ben Johnson & Katrina Sliwka for opening their home to be videotaped with their amazing girls, Mara, Nina, and Delaney and for their touching speech at our fundraiser!
- Ryan & Jodi Bartley for graciously getting us a bigger room at Gutterson Field House to hold our Birthday Party and helping to organize the event!
Individuals
- Shirley Pine, the amazing face painter at our birthday party, for dedicating some extra time to us. Kids and families loved her!
- Liz Snyder, Nancy Westbrook, Katherine Marsella, Nancy Warren Farley, and Gretchen Beaudin for organizing an amazing first fundraiser for the directory.
- Lexi Ryan for her amazing editing skills!
- Erynne Ross, Laura Bonazinga Bouyea, Nancy Westbrook, and Kevin Pellon for their commitment to Kayla’s Directory and to being on the board.