Non-Profits....

I can't remember if I have posted about non-profits on the blog or is it just conversations I have had with a variety of people lately.  I love non-profits.  They are a testament to the passion and caring of good people everywhere.  People who have seen a need, had an idea, and then worked and sacrificed to make that dream and vision come true.  All of us should give time, money, and energy in whatever cause seems right and good for you.  The amount of time, money, and energy you give is highly personal.  Like the Widow's mite, when given, it is enough.

Having said all of that (and I truly believe it all)--we have an amazing list of non-profits who have touched our lives and with whom we have tried in a small way to return some of the gain to others.

Here is our list:

The Church  (really not the same as a non-profits in the sense of our personal commitment to it, but legally it is a non-profit.)

Utah Down Syndrome Foundation

Davis Behavioral Health

Wonderwood Academy--College Bridge Program

Gigi's Playhouse

Special Olympics

Friend to Friend Theatre Group

NAMI

Ogden Adaptive Sports Foundation

Camp K

Little Free Library

In the past, there was Boy Scouts of America (but currently neither Gary or I are working in scouts.)  LDS Family Services, Families Supporting Adoption, and the list can go on.

And, of course, I work for a non-profit--The Children's Center.

We are so grateful for the people that we have met and all of those who have started and continued these great organizations.  They have made a difference in our lives.  And we have tried to give back where we can.

So Friday was part of that giving back--with two events--A company retreat for The Children's Center up in Park City (at another non-profit--National Ability Center) from 9-3 and then the annual UDSF Buddy Walk from 5-8 at the Rio Tinto Stadium Plaza.

Part of the UDSF swag

As usual, the table became the loading dock for the assignments I had for the retreat and for UDSF Buddy Walk.

Rockets, launchings, and other supplies

One of my assignments was putting together a thank-you basket and I had found out that one of the people loved a certain brownie from a certain grocery store.  There was one on my way home so I though-perfect.  I will stop and pick some up.  But I forgot  (due mostly to the fact that I was on the phone --hands free in my car--with my clinical director talking about a subpoena I had received--the joys of social work!!).  I realized it when I got home and decided to make the 20 minute drive back to that certain store to complete our gift.  It was great, they had it, I bought it...and then headed to my car...which didn't start.  Do you have days like this when you are trying to do things a certain way and it turns out to be a lot harder than it should have been?

Luckily, Gary came and saved the day by jumping my car.  But we had a complex day for Friday and we needed two working cars to do it.

We loaded the truck Friday morning--well. Gary did--and then I had this gorgeous traffic free drive from Syracuse to Park City....even in the late summer, it was beautiful.

Our retreat was held at the National Ability Center which is a place which provides activities, training, and recreational activities for people with all types of disabilities and also serves as a place where groups can go to learn about disabilities and ways that people can have accommodations and be successful at all types of activities.  For example, at the rock wall, people could wear a blindfold and experience what rock climbing would be like for someone who is blind.

The Rope Swing

Two people I work with:
Sasha, a family therapist
and Dallace, one of the preschool specialist

Calming down by working with horses

 I choose archery for my morning activity.  During our second round, I actually hit one of the cards on the target.  You were suppose to get 21--but four was better than nothing.

The National Ability Center has several different types of bikes to
try on their trails.  This is Kathryn from Development.

The archery team

After our morning activities, we did some other team building activities, had a working lunch, speakers and then a craft activities--getting into our "inner child".  It was a good event and our survey results stated that most people agreed.

I headed out a little bit early as I needed to get down to Salt Lake for the next event--the annual UDSF Buddy Walk!