For Immediate Release
The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation Joins With the Council on Service and Civic Participation to Deliver President’s Volunteer Service Award
Prestigious Award Honors Outstanding Commitment to Volunteer Service
Raynham, MA – The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation today announced it has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Established in 2003, the AWARD was created by President George W. Bush to give Presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12-months.
The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation is one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and honor the volunteers who strengthen our Nation. As a Certifying Organization for the AWARD, The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the AWARD.
“The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation is extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD,” said Autumn Grant State Coordinator. “The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation volunteers are “roll” models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a Nation. The AWARD is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.”
The AWARD is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened by President George W. Bush to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation among Americans. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.
For more information about volunteering with The Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation, Contact Autumn Grant at mswheelchairmass06@yahoo.com or got to www.mswheelchairmass.org. For more information on the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Launch
Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010 Santara Sen will be participating in
LAUNCH – moving ideas to the next level
Friday, April 9, 2010 – 11:00AM-4:30PM
Registration: 11:00AM-12:00PM
Bristol Community College, Attleboro, MA
LAUNCH is a conference that brings together entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovative thinkers who want to find out how to develop and protect their ideas and who seek to develop 21st Century skills for people of all ages, in particular, science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) skills.
http://www.museumatthemill.org/Sessions__Sessions.html
LAUNCH – moving ideas to the next level
Friday, April 9, 2010 – 11:00AM-4:30PM
Registration: 11:00AM-12:00PM
Bristol Community College, Attleboro, MA
LAUNCH is a conference that brings together entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovative thinkers who want to find out how to develop and protect their ideas and who seek to develop 21st Century skills for people of all ages, in particular, science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) skills.
http://www.museumatthemill.org/Sessions__Sessions.html
March Madness!
March Madness!
Wow-it's been an incredibly busy month for me! A lot has happened that I want to share. First, the WBZ radio interview that I finally did at the end of last month aired and I got to listen to it which was cool. It was OK for my first radio interview; I know I'll get better as I do more. Second, I was profiled in the Quarterly Newsletter for the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts. I wrote a one-page story for them about the Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts/America programs and how they work, and of course explained how I came to be involved with the program. As an adult with Spina Bifida, I was happy to do this and to be a positive role model for my community.
Third, with the SBA Mass, I attended their kick-off party for their First Annual Walk n Roll which will be on May 23rd in Dedham MA. For more information or to sign up as a team or individual walker, go to www.sbamass.org. This event was on March 11th at Boston Beer Works. Originally the plan was for me to speak at this event in order to get everyone excited for the walk, but the turn-out wasn't what was originally expected so I just went to enjoy myself, which was fun too. Instead, I will be speaking at the actual event, which I think is much cooler! I also hope to put together a team, whether it's with family and friends or co-workers from Horizons for Homeless Children where I volunteer. If you're interested feel free to let me know so I can sign us up; I'd be willing to be the team captain! Anyway, I got to meet Ellen Heffernan-Dugan who is the Director of the SBA Mass as well as other Board Members, and it was just a nice casual evening. I even played pool with some of the kids that came along with the adults which was comical to say the least! …I have photos of that, which I hope to post for everyone.
I also got connected with this woman named Krittiya Wongtavavimarn who is a graduate student at Emerson and also a news reporter in Boston. She is a journalism student doing a big project on women with disabilities and empowerment/inspiration and such, and she wanted to focus on Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts as her project, which will eventually become a website providing inspiration and empowerment for women with disabilities. She describes it as "not just school work" as it will be on the Boston News website. She's had previous experience with people with disabilities in Thailand where she's from, and she then learned how grateful people with disabilities are for what they do have, which sparked her interest in this area. I believe Laurel and Ashley also helped her out-thanks! She came out to Norwood where I live which was really helpful for me, as I'm not super comfortable using the subway and didn't know exactly how to get to Emerson. What she did was she interviewed me regarding my life and my disability, as well as the Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts program and how I came to be involved and some of the things I hope to accomplish while I have the title for 2010. Then we went out to the school playground next to my house, where she took lots of pictures as well. I thought this was nice and convenient as well as a huge open space to use while the kids were in school. I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to see the final product, which will consist of pictures, the interviews and of course her own text!
So this ends another month of my title…I can't believe how quickly it's going! This was a great month with lots of things going on…it will be hard to top it. Of course I'm still doing the usual fundraising for Nationals, which is going well. I'm hoping to put together a fundraiser soon to raise some big money, as my whole family still wants to attend the event to cheer me on. More details on that later though…Thanks everyone!
Wow-it's been an incredibly busy month for me! A lot has happened that I want to share. First, the WBZ radio interview that I finally did at the end of last month aired and I got to listen to it which was cool. It was OK for my first radio interview; I know I'll get better as I do more. Second, I was profiled in the Quarterly Newsletter for the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts. I wrote a one-page story for them about the Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts/America programs and how they work, and of course explained how I came to be involved with the program. As an adult with Spina Bifida, I was happy to do this and to be a positive role model for my community.
Third, with the SBA Mass, I attended their kick-off party for their First Annual Walk n Roll which will be on May 23rd in Dedham MA. For more information or to sign up as a team or individual walker, go to www.sbamass.org. This event was on March 11th at Boston Beer Works. Originally the plan was for me to speak at this event in order to get everyone excited for the walk, but the turn-out wasn't what was originally expected so I just went to enjoy myself, which was fun too. Instead, I will be speaking at the actual event, which I think is much cooler! I also hope to put together a team, whether it's with family and friends or co-workers from Horizons for Homeless Children where I volunteer. If you're interested feel free to let me know so I can sign us up; I'd be willing to be the team captain! Anyway, I got to meet Ellen Heffernan-Dugan who is the Director of the SBA Mass as well as other Board Members, and it was just a nice casual evening. I even played pool with some of the kids that came along with the adults which was comical to say the least! …I have photos of that, which I hope to post for everyone.
I also got connected with this woman named Krittiya Wongtavavimarn who is a graduate student at Emerson and also a news reporter in Boston. She is a journalism student doing a big project on women with disabilities and empowerment/inspiration and such, and she wanted to focus on Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts as her project, which will eventually become a website providing inspiration and empowerment for women with disabilities. She describes it as "not just school work" as it will be on the Boston News website. She's had previous experience with people with disabilities in Thailand where she's from, and she then learned how grateful people with disabilities are for what they do have, which sparked her interest in this area. I believe Laurel and Ashley also helped her out-thanks! She came out to Norwood where I live which was really helpful for me, as I'm not super comfortable using the subway and didn't know exactly how to get to Emerson. What she did was she interviewed me regarding my life and my disability, as well as the Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts program and how I came to be involved and some of the things I hope to accomplish while I have the title for 2010. Then we went out to the school playground next to my house, where she took lots of pictures as well. I thought this was nice and convenient as well as a huge open space to use while the kids were in school. I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to see the final product, which will consist of pictures, the interviews and of course her own text!
So this ends another month of my title…I can't believe how quickly it's going! This was a great month with lots of things going on…it will be hard to top it. Of course I'm still doing the usual fundraising for Nationals, which is going well. I'm hoping to put together a fundraiser soon to raise some big money, as my whole family still wants to attend the event to cheer me on. More details on that later though…Thanks everyone!
The Disability Policy Consortium
The Disability Policy Consortium is excited to be sponsoring two great events this week, in honor of the Census. Both events will have great food and be lots of fun. All are welcome to attend! Please share with your networks. We hope to see everyone there!
Community Census Awareness Day
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 11am-3pm
Prince Hall Grand Lodge - 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA
Filled with music, food and family fun!
Come and bring your 2010 census form.
Census partners will be available to help you fill out your form.
A kids corner will be provided with lots of fun games.
ASL Interpreters will be present
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!
Remember the United States Census 2010 is in OUR HANDS
B.Y.O.C. Party!
What: Bring Your Own Census Party!
When: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Where: DPC Office, 59 Temple Place, Suite 669, Boston
Snacks, many free giveaways, and much more!
Please bring your Census form (which you will soon receive), and we can help you fill it out!
For more information, call 617-542-3522 or email rpowell@dpcma.org.
For more information on the Disability Policy Consortium or the 2010 Census, visit www.dpcma.org
Community Census Awareness Day
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 11am-3pm
Prince Hall Grand Lodge - 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA
Filled with music, food and family fun!
Come and bring your 2010 census form.
Census partners will be available to help you fill out your form.
A kids corner will be provided with lots of fun games.
ASL Interpreters will be present
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!
Remember the United States Census 2010 is in OUR HANDS
B.Y.O.C. Party!
What: Bring Your Own Census Party!
When: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Where: DPC Office, 59 Temple Place, Suite 669, Boston
Snacks, many free giveaways, and much more!
Please bring your Census form (which you will soon receive), and we can help you fill it out!
For more information, call 617-542-3522 or email rpowell@dpcma.org.
For more information on the Disability Policy Consortium or the 2010 Census, visit www.dpcma.org
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