Thanks to all who helped make our Breakfast for Children's Champions a success!

Scroll down for pictures! - More to be added shortly.

Smart Start of New Hanover County held its 8th annual Breakfast for Children's Champions on March 18, 2009 at the Burney Center Ballroom at UNC-Wilmington.  The event was an opportunity for guests to learn about Smart Start of New Hanover County's programs and services, and the great importance of high quality early childhood programming.  It was also an opportunity to celebrate people and organizations that have provided exceptional service to young children in our community and to hear from some excellent speakers, including keynote speaker and NC State basketball legend David Thompson.

"This breakfast was a great success," said Janet Nelson, Executive Director for Smart Start of New Hanover County (SSNHC).  "We are so pleased that we got the chance to share how important Smart Start of New Hanover County's programs have been in the lives of a number of families in our community." One family's story was so moving it brought guests to their feet in a standing ovation.  Shameika Rivers was a teenager when she became pregnant with her daughter Shakeima.  Pausing to wipe away tears, Shameika described how her life was heading in the wrong direction, a direction she realized might negatively impact her daughter for the rest of her life. Shameika became involved in Smart Start Baby Fast, a family support program for teenage mothers funded by SSNHC.  She described how the support and education she and her family received through Smart Start Baby Fast gave them the tools to give her daughter Shakeima the best possible start in life.

"Everything I do, I do for my daughter," Shameika stated.  "If it isn't in her best interest, I don't do it."  She also described how Smart Start Baby Fast taught her to respect herself and others.  Shameika described how, from a troubled teenager, she became a responsible young woman who will be the first in her family to graduate from high school and the first to attend college. 

As its name implies, the Breakfast for Children's Champions was an event to honor Children's Champions, people and organizations who have gone above and beyond to serve young children and families in New Hanover County.  This year, four Children's Champions were honored.  The are Sherry Fowler and Rachel Brandt, an infant care provider team from AAI Learning center; Julia Pindell, a 32-year volunteer with La Leche League; John Pike, a tireless volunteer and advocate for the Surfer's Healing; and Easter Seals UCP NC, a non-profit organization which operates an inclusive developmental child care center for young children.  For more information about this years Children's Champions click here.

For many in attendance, including quite a few excited NC State fans, a highlight from the breakfast was listening to the keynote presentation by basketball legend David Thompson.  Mr. Thompson described how he came from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful college basketball players of all time.  He also described his fall from greatness and the satisfaction he now gets from his new role as a youth mentor through his sports ministry, which includes an after-school program.

For Smart Start of New Hanover County, the Breakfast for Children's Champions also serves as an important fundraiser.  "We are so grateful for the funds we were able to raise this year," describes Nelson.  "In a year like this, we know resources are scarce.  We're glad to have the opportunity today to show that the donations we receive and use to fund our programs are truly investments in young children; investments with potentially large returns to our community."  Nelson then shares a statistic mentioned a number of times during the breakfast, "for each dollar invested in high quality early childhood programming, up to $17 are returned to the community."

"We are far from being fully funded," she continues, "but to raise some much needed funds while demonstrating the impact of our programs on our community is fantastic.  Today was a great success."

If you were unable to make a donation at the Breakfast and would still like to support Smart Start of New Hanover County’s early childhood services with a secure online donation, click the Donate button below.

 

Keynote speaker David Thompson poses for a picture with a young guest as SSNHC Executive Director Janet Nelson looks on.

 

                                                    Shameika Rivers

 

               Shameika Rivers daugter Shakeima is excited to see her mom on stage.

 

Smart Start of New Hanover County Board President Gwen Brown addresses guests at the Breakfast for Children's Champions.