Last week we heard from one of our grant recipients, Special Gifts Theatre (SGT), which is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 to provide individuals who possess a wide array of special needs (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and learning) the opportunity to experience the joy and enrichment that theatre arts can bring. The program, though recreational in scope, is educationally and therapeutically based. All of the programs are designed to use the stage as a platform to develop social skills, speech/ language skills, and self-confidence. The theatre arts provides an excellent opportunity for enhancing an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence; encouraging problem-solving abilities; strengthening listening, focusing, and attention skills; improving communication and fostering cooperation. Peer mentors are an important component of the programming that facilitate acceptance, understanding, and growth. This unique creative drama experience enables personal growth while breaking down stereotypes related to disabilities within the community at large.
Thank you to our speakers Program Director Debbie Taus-Barth and Joe, a participant who told us about his experience with the program.
For the past 30+ years our BG Rotary Club along with the Wheeling Club has been involved with getting food and educational games (and sometimes clothing) to some of the neediest families in the BG and Wheeling area.
For the past month we have collecting food. We will also be purchasing food using budgeted monies from each club and a from a district grant. Each family will also get food, a food gift card, an educational game, and some families will also get winter hats. Now we need some man/woman power. The following will be taking place at 535 Dundee Road at the old Al Piemonte car dealership (across from the BGHS soccer field). On Thursday Nov 15 3pm - 7pm we will be packaging the food. On Saturday Nov 17 8:30am - noon, we will be delivering the food, games, and food cards.
Please Help - On Saturday high school interact students will be helping with delivery, but we need adults to do the driving (2 per car). Of course you can bring your own kids, grandkids or friends to help.
This year we are pleased to jointly host Dylan from Taiwan with the Wheeling Club as our youth exchange student for the year. He is attending Stevenson High School and has made a wish list for places he would love to see. Please consider spending time with him and making his wish list a reality. He can be reached at 847-902-1244.
Plans are being made for the 2019 trip to Guatemala for service at Ak' Tenamit from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 17. Click here to download the application. Please talk to Dan Wolf or Stephen Legge regarding the details of this amazing opportunity.
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Last week we heard from one of our grant recipients, Special Gifts Theatre (SGT), which is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 to provide individuals who possess a wide array of special needs (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and learning) the opportunity to experience the joy and enrichment that theatre arts can bring. The program, though recreational in scope, is educationally and therapeutically based. All of the programs are designed to use the stage as a platform to develop social skills, speech/ language skills, and self-confidence. The theatre arts provides an excellent opportunity for enhancing an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence; encouraging problem-solving abilities; strengthening listening, focusing, and attention skills; improving communication and fostering cooperation. Peer mentors are an important component of the programming that facilitate acceptance, understanding, and growth. This unique creative drama experience enables personal growth while breaking down stereotypes related to disabilities within the community at large..JPG)
