2009 Children's Champions

Sherrie Fowler & Rachel Brandt

...are surely appreciated by the parents whose infants they care for at AAI Learning Center.  We received nominations from two different sets of parents from the classroom and both sets acknowledged that the outstanding features of their performance reside in their absolute love for the children in their care and the strong adherence to a send of team.  In a very real sense, each infant in their classroom has two "parents" in the room throughout the day!  It's futile to try to say it any better than one of theyr parent-nominators did: "Returning to work so soon after giving birth was traumatic and difficult to say the least but from the very first day, my worriesand fear and hearbreak were eased knowing that he would be in [their] class.  Every single time i have come to visit, no matter the time of day, he was thoroughtly engaged in learning."  All of us who have been exposed to the world of teaching - as a professional, student or parent - know that htese are qualities for which there is no instruction.

Julia Pindell

Volunteers are being looked at in a new light these days.  There are all kinds of public calls to “do your part in your community” by giving of yourself and your time.  Julia Pindell could be considered the gold standard for volunteering.  Her love of children and her concern for the well-being of these new mothers and babies has led her to devote her time and energy as a volunteer for La Leche League (LLL) for 32YEARS!  In her “private” life, Julia is devoted to her family – she and her husband have 3 children, one of whom is adopted and they have fostered another 10 children.  Her compassion seems unending!  She is available at any hour of the day or night – by phone, for a home visit – and never leaves her compassion for or enjoyment of that family behind.  She has trained countless LLL Leaders who can mentor other mothers and now is helping a new generation of babies and their mothers, some of whom were the babies she helped, all those years ago, to give such a great start in life!

John Pike

John Pike is a slightly different kind of Children’s Champion.  In essence, we could classify him as a “surfer dude.”  But John has a purpose that incorporates, yet transcends his “hobby.”  He is the person we can all thank for bring “Surfers Healing” to the CapeFear area.  Through his tireless direction of and fundraising for the organization – beyond the duties of his “regular” job – he provides families of children with autism an opportunity for fellowship and building self-assurance that lasts forever.  Having experienced the fear and utter shock that accompanied his own son’s diagnosis of autism, he knew that it was his calling to create a haven, a moment of gratitude for other families to be able to escape the daily challenges they face and focus on the wonders of their children.  His warmth and openness to the community have won him support the world over.  With arduous tenacity, he has crafted a deal with an international skateboard manufacturer to design and create a deck – in honor of his son, Gianni – that showcases the jigsaw-piece image of Autism Speaks.  The profits from worldwide sales of the skateboard will benefit Autism Speaks. 

Easter Seals UCP NC

This is a nomination that touched the hearts of our selection committee.  The Easter Seals UCP NC school is an inclusive developmental child care center for children ages birth to five that, while providing highly specialized care for children with special needs, also works with children who are typical in their development.  One can imagine the challenges presented to staff on a daily basis.  In the words of the center’s director, Donna Hoffer, “It is so beautiful watching children with special needs and typically developing children learn and grow together.  The teachers and staff truly love the experience of being part of the hard work and wonderful accomplishments that happen...daily.”  That, naturally, is poignant enough.  But when the committee learned that the nomination actually came from the woman who cleans the facility, it seemed to mean that much more.  From her fly-on-the-wall perspective, and having only seen the nomination form posted on a bulletin board, she was so moved by what she witnessed day in and day out that she had to take the opportunity to do something about it.  In Harriet’s own words, “Staff could be making more money elsewhere but choose to work at Easter Seals because they care so much about the children and their families.  The children feel like they fit in there.”

 

Thank you to all who submitted Nominations. We'd like to congratulate those who were nominated!

Elizabeth Bonifanti
Pam Palanza and Lori Daley
Tri-County Breastfeeding Coalition
Janet McCumbee
Allison Troutman
Cathy Poulos
Watson School of Education: Dept. of Early Childhood and Special Education