Friends in Action of the Easter Panhandle

Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle (FIAEP) is a 501© (3) non-profit organization, a member of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle Federation. The mission is to assist low-income families in the community to reach goals that will assist them with self-sufficiency and their personal well-being. FIAEP recruits and trains mentor teams, linking them with families in need. Mentor teams commit to working with a family for 12 months, providing friendship, support, guidance, advocacy, tutoring, and other services based on the talents of the team and the needs of the family. They work to maximize the family’s independence and to reach economic, social, educational and work-related goals that might seem insurmountable.

During 2007, FIAEP recruited and trained 29 mentor volunteers who worked with 12 families. In addition to the three team trainings that were held, an additional team in-service training was provided.

Examples of services delivered by mentor teams include assistance in obtaining eye glasses, child care, transportation to appointments, assistance with car repair/maintenance, budgeting assistance, mediating family disputes, assistance in finding permanent employment, encouraging cultural endeavors, boosting self-confidence, donating household goods and clothing, providing emotional support, help earning a driver’s license, translating for parent/teacher meetings and helping aquire and move into permanent housing.

In addition to the help that was given, the mentors have grown in their awareness and understandings of the intricacies and impact of poverty and several have sought additional ways to serve low-income families.

James Flaig

James Joseph Flaig is a 16-year-old teenager at American Heritage School who participated in the Coral Springs Police Department Leadership Mentoring Program 2007. He successfully completed the Leadership Program and has started the Can-Teens Organization, which is a school organization run by teens who are dedicated to providing hunger relief by supporting food banks in America.

James spends countless service hours trying to educate teens on the needs of those who are suffering from Hunger in the community and across America. He has organized groups of teens to participate in organizing food pantries, making food boxes, assisting at soup kitchens, gathering donations through food drives and bake sales and communicating with local food banks.

In addition, James created a how to web-site offering information to other high schools about starting their own Can-Teens Club and has made mailers that he is sending to schools across America about his organization.

Currently James is working on a national initiative that promotes a program for schools to ADOPT-A-FOODBANK.

Edith Harvey

While most seniors look forward to spending their golden years resting and relaxing, 94-year old Edith Harvey, known as “Miss Edith,” prefers spending her days preparing meals for fellow seniors and volunteering at the Lawrenceville Housing Authority. In a surprise presentation, volunteer leaders from across the state thanked “Miss Edith” for her dedication to community service and honored her as the 2007 Georgia Volunteer of the Year during the Georgia Summit on Volunteerism.

“Miss Edith is an inspiration to everyone she meets, both our volunteers and the hundreds of seniors we serve,” said Gary Galloway, Volunteer Services Coordinator for Gwinnett County Senior Services. “From the first day she walked through our doors in 1978, we’ve been blessed to have her on our team. Whether it’s making sure that all our seniors have the meals they depend on or offering comfort and support to volunteers and staff. Quite simply, Miss Edith is an inspiration, quietly and humbly leading by example.”

For nearly 30 years, Miss Edith has volunteered three days a week at the Lawrenceville Senior Center, preparing hundreds of meals for other seniors. Gwinnett County Senior Services estimates that Miss Edith has donated more than 17,000 hours of volunteer service to the community. Additionally, she spends time volunteering at the Lawrenceville Housing Authority and is an active member of her church choir.

“She sums up the qualities that make up a great volunteer: dedication, enthusiasm, cheerfulness and a genuine desire to serve. She’s an inspiration to us all,” remarks Laurie Grant Nichols, CEO of HandsOn Georgia.

Billiee Pendleton-Parker

Junior League of Tyler, Inc.

The Junior League of Tyler started an annual local program thirteen years ago called Summer Reading Camp. Summer Reading is a free, week-long camp for students entering the third grade that have been identified by their teachers as needing extra encouragement in reading. Summer Reading Camp provides an opportunity for low income children to have a positive educational experience in a fun, non-threatening, camp-like setting during the summer break.

During the camp, children learn how fun reading can be and they are inspired to use their imagination to enjoy books. Each day of camp includes a featured “book of the day” that is read to the children by a special guest such as the mayor, police chief or a local television personality. Related hands-on activities engage the children and bring out their creativity. Campers are each given their own copy of the featured book and they rotate to centers such as drama, listening, art, special activities, writing and the book store.

The goal for every Summer Reading Camp is to build up each camper’s self-esteem and confidence in all aspects of reading. After camp is over, each camper is sent home with a personal library of new books. Campers are given a minimum of 16 new books, a t-shirt, and a book bag or backpack. In addition, they can earn “bucks” with their participation throughout the camp that can be used to purchase more books, book marks, and other book-related trinkets in the camp bookstore.

Over the past 13 years, the Junior League of Tyler has invested nearly $170,000 and thousands of volunteer hours in this program. Approximately 30 Junior League volunteers dedicate themselves to this project each summer to create a magical camp experience for approximately 140 children.

Merry Wisler

Merry Wisler has been a Girl Scout Leader since 1994 and has also taken on the task of Girl Scout Organizer and Consultant, helping girls to become scouts and assisting Leaders with any questions or problems. She has also been a Girl Scout Community Association Council Delegate throughout the years.

As Encampment Director for Westfield, NJ she organized many weekends at Camp Lou Henry Hoover for the entire town. A model Cookie Chairperson, Merry has coordinated the delivery and pick-up of thousands of cases of cookies each year. She organized and designed the League of Women Voters Patch to help the Girl Scouts learn about the league along with the privilege of voting.

Outside of Girl Scouts, Merry has continued her service to our community as Chairperson of The Education Fund of Westfield, Inc. which was established to provide a source of additional funds and resources to assist public schools in maintaining and enhancing the quality of education in Westfield. During her tenure, the organization provided over $30,000 in grants for programs and projects that were not included in the school’s operational budget. She has also been the President of the Westfield Area League of Women Voters, Co-Chair of the School Budget Parent Teacher Task Force, the 2004 President of the Westfield Parent Teacher Council, and most recently the Westfield Service League Secretary.

The Rita Foundation, Inc.

The mission of the RITA Foundation, Inc. is to help find a cure for cancer, and specifically breast cancer. Started in 1997, The RITA (Research Is The Answer) Foundation has raised money and awareness for 11 years through our six special events donating $2,500,000 to local programs. With no salary expense or overhead expense, RITA is able to donate 100% of our net proceeds. All grants are unrestricted and remain in the local community.

These grants allow the recipients to fill their most pressing needs. Shands Jacksonville has used RITA funds to upgrade mammography software and purchase new technology. RITA’s most recent donation of $250,000 helped bring new digital mammography equipment to Shands. All patients receive the benefit of this state of the art technology. RITA is the largest contributor to the Baptist Cancer Institute with funds used to create the genetic testing program, purchase equipment, host public health symposiums, nursing educational conferences, and prostate screening for the Afro-American male community. 2006 saw a $400,000 digital mammography machine donated to the Mayo Clinic, bringing this new technology to their campus. RITA grants have been used at Mayo to fund clinical trials, a mammography study, and to hire a basic cancer researcher.

Thousands will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and many do not have access to medical care. RITA funds cancer programs at Shands Jacksonville, Baptist Cancer Institute, Baptist Medical Center Beaches, and Mayo Clinic. All these programs serve those who cannot pay for services.

In addition, we fund Bosom Buddies, a support group of the Women’s Center of Jacksonville that provides their expertise, support, and compassion to all women regardless of their ability to pay. Additionally, RITA provides the ‘NOTEBOOK for the cancer patient’, an 80- page organizer free for newly diagnosed patients.

The Alzheimer’s Daily News

The Alzheimer’s Daily News offers a special web page allowing organizations to post announcements of national and local events and a section called “Letters to the Editor” which allows readers to respond with their thoughts and opinions.

Articles are selected based on their appropriateness and application to dementia. Topics include research, medical advances, new medications, drug trial announcements, caregiver issues, financial concerns, legal issues, local, national and international conferences and inspirational stories.

Subscribers include people with Alzheimer’s disease (and other dementia-related disorders), their caregivers, families, doctors, healthcare professionals, support groups, Alzheimer’s organizations, researchers and students. The service is free of charge.

People who prefer not to receive an e-mail can read the news online or print it out to share with friends, family members, or their support groups.

Stevie Peacock

Stevie Peacock has supported needy children by donating back packs, school supplies, holiday gifts and by reading in their classrooms.

After Hurricane Charley in 2004, Stevie and her schoolmates supported Memorial Elementary with a project called “Building Buddies.” Stevie was contacted by a family in Arcadia who told her that the families there were in need of support. Stevie started Project KINDNESS when her school stopped the support at the end of the school year. Stevie has continued to support Memorial Elementary by donating school supplies and holiday gifts for the incoming kindergartners for the past three years. She also visits the children each quarter to read to them. In addition to the support at Memorial Elementary, Stevie also collected and donated hundreds of toys to All Children’s Hospital in St. Pete over the past six years. Stevie invites friends and family to donate gifts to All Children’s Hospital in lieu of receiving gifts. This year, Stevie was also able to donate 150 backpacks filled with school supplies to several “Habitat for Humanity” neighborhoods in Sarasota.

Hundreds of children and families have benefited from Stevie’s efforts and she has also encouraged other children to donate their time to helping others. Stevie includes a gift with each visit such as holiday treats, Beanie Babies, and Girl Scouts cookies and juice.

She is currently seeking to begin a non-profit organization to gain access to grants for school supplies and books to benefit those in need. At this time Stevie relies on the generosity of friends, family and school mates. She also received support from a local Rotary Club, Office Depot, The Random Kid Organization, St. Thomas Moore Youth Group and the Florida Department of Revenue.

Tabitha Helms

Tabitha Helms is extremely committed to impacting the lives of children affected by cancer. She has been a Chemo Pal for two different children, and has maintained relationships with both. She is a dedicated part of the Chemo Pal Program at the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA).

The Pediatric Chemo Pal Mentor program for children and teens breaks through the isolation, chaos and loneliness of chemotherapy and other cancer treatment by providing trusted dependable and carefully matched mentors. This volunteer program’s purpose is to provide a supportive relationship, ensuring that each child maintains their self-esteem and confidence throughout the physically difficult cancer treatment.

The Chemo Pal volunteer provides support and guidance through dependable visits in the midst of the battle against cancer. These mentors visit hospitals, clinics and homes to play games, take walks, read, do art projects or share hobbies.

Tabitha started the Chemo Pal program about a year and a half ago, and was matched with Coleen for the final four months of Coleen’s life. Tabitha sat by her side and tried to ease the pain and anger that she was feeling. After Coleen’s death, Tabitha decided that she wanted continue to give back so she became a Chemo Pal to another child.

Tabitha was matched with 10-year old Andrew for the past year. She tries to bond with the children and tries to alleviate the stress and fear that accompanies having cancer.

Tabitha has also spent numerous hours as a candy striper, volunteering for the Cascade Aids Project, and holding other mentoring positions, as well as helping the Children’s Cancer Association with fundraising since 2006.