So Many Ways That You Can Help The Bubel Aiken Foundation

I have the privilege of being one of the coordinators for the Houston CD Release Party. Many of the coordinators had asked for ways that Bubel Aiken could be promoted at the parties. Kristy sent each of us a list of many ways that the fans can help by volunteering, donating, and sharing in a variety of other projects. I want to share these ways with Clay's Daily Double readers in hopes that you will find something that you can do to reach out to Bubel Aiken. Here is the information that Kristy sent:

"Our Friend Mikayla"
Our Friend Mikayla is the story of a child with severe developmental disabilities who finds friendship with her typical peers which was written and illustrated by third-grade students at the Lower Nazareth Elementary School, Nazareth, PA. It is an honest portrayal of the children's first reactions to Mikayla, their barriers to acceptance and finally the true friendship they formed with her.

When Mikayla's family moved to Pennsylvania four years ago, the idea of full inclusion for a child with severe developmental disabilities was relatively new. Yet in keeping with their personal philosophy, they requested that Mikayla be included in a regular first grade class.

What they found was that Mikayla's classmates accepted Mikayla and began to see her as just like them. Their relationship with Mikayla and their journey to acceptance inspired the book.

The children have dedicated Our Friend Mikayla to all people with disabilities and their friends. When they chose the dedication, one of the children realized that might mean they were dedicating the book to everyone in the world.

The book will be sold on The Bubel/Aiken Foundation's website and all net proceeds will help support the Foundation's efforts towards full inclusion. The book will be available at http://www.bubelaiken.org/ this October.

"Wrapping for Inclusion"
TBAF recently announced our 3rd annual holiday gift-wrapping awareness campaign and fundraiser, Wrapping for Inclusion. WFI will take place in shopping malls across the country November 18, 2006 through December 24, 2006. TBAF volunteers will wrap gifts in exchange for donations to the Foundation. Use this opportunity to spread the word about this opportunity to volunteer in your community. If you have a WFI team in your area, use this opportunity to recruit additional volunteers. If you do not have a team in your area, use this opportunity to find out who is interested.

"TBAF Flyers"
A one-page flyer with the TBAF mission is available for download at our website at http://www.bubelaiken.org/. Please see the downloadable forms page.

"Beta Alpha"
Have you heard about a new volunteer opportunity with TBAF? Use this opportunity to spread the word. Join the Voices of Beta Alpha and join the push toward full inclusion. Beta Alpha is a nationwide community project where groups come together to raise funds and build awareness for full inclusion. It is easier than you think to join the effort and make a real difference. Beta Alpha allows you to turn events like golf tournaments, tennis matches, marathons, and auctions into one that helps support the goal of inclusion. It will also allow people to make individual donations to join the cause.

Join the team that's working to make life fuller children with developmental disabilities. Beta Alpha volunteers are dedicated, proactive, giving individuals committed to giving children with disabilities a fully included life. Register today and join our efforts. Every voice raised for inclusion gets us that much closer to bringing the world to children with developmental disabilities.

"Change for Change"
In our country today there is approximately $10.5 Billion in loose change out of circulation. By encouraging participants to bring their change you will allow the Foundation to further its mission to provide children with special needs the opportunities to have access to recreational programs in their communities, which will allow them to be included in activities where all children can learn and play and have fun!

Go to http://www.bubelaiken.org/to order Change for Change boxes. We ask that you convert your change to check or money order and forward it to:

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation
8601 Six Forks Road, Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27615

Because of your support, programs to further the mission of TBAF have gone forth. The vision is to expand these programs nationwide and the is why continued support is necessary

For the past three summers, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation has implemented its Summer Camp Program, Let's ALL Play at YMCA's across the country. This Summer Camp Program gives children with and without disabilities the same summer camp experience with their peers.

Two summers ago, we had a child with cerebral palsy who had the opportunity to participate in a game of baseball with the help of a counselor who helped the child stand and move around the bases. While waiting on the baseball equipment, the children decided to play a game of imaginary baseball. When the imaginary ball came across the plate, the child swung at the ball. All of the children's heads turned at once. They all started screaming to send him home. He got a home run on his first time at bat. To see the compassion of the other children and the look on his face was priceless. And even though the baseball is imaginary, the thrills were perhaps even more heartfelt, because the child was participating in a situation where children like him are often left on the sidelines.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is proud to be the guiding force for inclusion of individuals with disabilities across the nation. We are creating an environment of full inclusion where opportunities exist, barriers break, and doors open. Let's work together to give children of all abilities the opportunity to learn, live, and play together.

Sincerely,

Kristy Barnes
President & Chief Operating Officer

Now, think of ways that you could help.

• You could buy the book, "My Friend Mikayla", and give it to your local library or elementary school.

• For Wrapping For Inclusion, you can volunteer to be a State Coordinator or City Team Leader or just help wrap at the set store in your area. Its not as hard as you would think. I know because I was both a state coordinator and city team leader last year. If I can do it, anyone can.

• Check into the "Beta Alpha" information online or the "Change For Change". There is a way for everyone to help The Bubel Aiken Foundation.

As Clay would say, "Use your voice."

clayis' note: Don't forget to search for the BAF with GoodSearch. Every web search you do at GoodSearch earns the BAF a penny. To date, Claymates have raised over $1000 for the foundation. Learn more.

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