GRG of Brevard Newsletter May 2013

GRG OF BREVARD

Issue #144

#141

GRG of Brevard

May 2013 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.

ISSUE # 144

May 2013 Meetings Thursday, May 9th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting Libscomb Street Community Center 10:00 – 11:30 am.

(This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, May 14th – Titusville Support Group Meeting 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Thursday, May 16th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Thursday of each month) Tuesday, May 21st – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 09:30 – 11:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Thursday, May 30th – Beach Side Support Group.

Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month)

Happy GRANDMother’s Day WELCOME to the new edition of our newsletter!

I hope that you find it to be informative, educational and entertaining.

Mary Ann Sterling, Executive Director

Grandmothers are mothers who are grand, Restoring the sense that our most precious things Are those that do not change much over time.

No love of childhood is more sublime, Demanding little, giving on demand, More inclined than most to grant the wings On which we fly off to enchanted lands.

Though grandmothers must serve as second mothers, Helping out with young and restless hearts Each has all the patience wisdom brings, Remembering our passions more than others, Soothing us with old and well-honed arts. ~Nicholas Gordon

GRG of BREVARD Office: 321.631.7776 Cell: 321.848.8006 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge FL 32955 www.grg-brevard.org

Page 1

GRG OF BREVARD SUBTITLE | Issue 144

2

E-Newsletter Help us Go Green and environmentally responsible.

be

The newsletter can be delivered to you each month via email. This new capability could enable GRG to save up to $4,000 each year in paper and printing costs. If you would like to receive your newsletter via email, send your name, current mailing address and the email address where you would like to receive the newsletter to grg.brevard@gmail.com

Children drown quickly and silently—in a matter of seconds. Adults who were present when a child drowns were often distracted in some way, by talking on the phone, texting, or chatting with other adults.

Otherwise you can access the electronic version of the newsletter and information on our organization at: www.grg-brevard.org

Drowning deaths are preventable. The American Red Cross encourages people to keep the following tips in mind to ensure being around the water is not only fun but safe as well.

Congratulations, Class of 2013!!

Commencement offers us an opportunity to reflect upon the past and to look to the future. It is a time for families, friends, and members of our community to recognize and honor the achievements of our graduating students.

Mary Ann Sterlings has received an invitation from Brett T. Leonard, one of our GRG of Brevard grandchildren to attend his graduation for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Congratulations to Brett and all of High School and College graduates from GRG of Brevard, we are so very proud of your accomplishments!.

Money Management (classes for teenagers) Wells Fargo Bank will be offering money management classes for teens. A date has not been set, if you are interested in having your teenaged grandchild know more about money management please call us let us know 321-631-7776.

You think that it could never happen to your family, but each year more than 800 children drown. These incidents are not only preventable but predictable.

Here are some things that you can do to help keep your children safe around water. * Regardless of the location, ensure children are supervised; whether at home or on vacation.Adult supervision is the best protection for children – even for those who can swim. * Ensure that your backyard pool is fully fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate. * When not using your home pool, clear all toys out of the water and away from the edge. These can often tempt children to the water’s edge. * Ensure you have emergency equipment including a first aid kit and a phone in the immediate pool area. * When boating, ensure everyone in the boat has their life jacket on and fastened. * Don’t consume alcohol before or during swimming or boating activities. * Be cautious about swimming in currents, and know what to do if you get into trouble. * Always stay within an arm’s reach of your child when he or she is in or near the bathtub, toilet, pools, spas or buckets. Never leave your child alone or

in the care of older children during bath time * Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub. * Empty all buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use.

Store them upside-down and out of children’s reach. * Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks. * Never leave your child unattended in a tub or around any other body of water, even if he or she knows how to swim. * Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed. * Children in baby bath seats and rings must be watched every second.

Get trained through swimming and water safety lessons; take emergency first aid and CPR lessons.

American Red Cross Space Coast Chapter, Rockledge Phone: (321) 8901002

Counseling Services GRG of Brevard board member, Cliff Valentine, LMHC, CAP, CEAP is a licensed counselor and has offered his service to our grandparents. He will be coming in one half day each week on Thursdays and will be glad to meet with relative caregivers. If you would be interested in talking with Cliff please call 321-631-7776 to make an appointment.

Legal Services If you have received legal assistance from GRG of Brevard we need you contact us with an update of the case status as the result of your visit with Culmer and Davidson.

Our grantors require that we inform them of how their funds are being spent.

Please call us with this information or we may not be able to receive additional funding for legal assistance.

Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't. ~Jerry Rice.

GRG OF BREVARD SUBTITLE | Issue 144

3

#141

Summer Fun is Here! th

On Saturday, July 20 , our 8th Annual Children’s Picnic will be held at the Kiwanis Park on Merritt Island just east of the Merritt Island Mall on State Rd. 520 from 12:00 to 4:00PM.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO GRG OF BREVARD!

There will be a large water slide, snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers, organized childrens games. Space Coast River Tours will provide a wonderful trip on the Indian River to see the dolphins and manatees. This adventure is courtesy of Michelle and Mark Anderson Mark your calendars there is something for everyone. For a day of fun don’t forget to bring bathing suits, a towel, sun-block, and a covered dish to share. Please RSVP and let us know how many attending so we have enough food and drinks. If you would like to help with set-up, clean-up or cooking, please call 321-6317776 and let us know if you plan to attend.

And Special Thanks To: Memaw’s Restaurant & Club Esteem who provide meeting space for our monthly support meetings. Our community partners who work by side with us to create a better world for children and families.

Thanks too to our faithful volunteers and donors across the county. th

On Wednesday, June 12 GRG of Brevard will take a field trip to Greens Meadows Farm has hay rides, hands on animal petting and many other activities. You will learn about pigs, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, donkeys, horses and more! Plus you will milk a cow, ride a pony, and go on a train and hay-wagon ride. Baby animals are born throughout May and June.

Green Meadows Farm is located in Kissimmee and we will be renting a bus and providing the entrance fees. We are leaving the GRG office at 8:15 am and then leaving the Farm by 4:00 pm.

There are NO restaurants for purchasing food. You must bring your own lunches (drinks will be provided). There is room on the bus for coolers and there is a large covered pavilion. If you need to bring a stroller there is room on the bus, but we will be walking through an active farm and there are NO paved walkways.

There are only 54 spots on the bus and it is filling up so please call the office if you would like to go 321-631-7776.

Summer Camp We will have some assistance for summer camps so please let us know if you are making plans. First come first served. You must submit:  Name and location of the camp  Cost  Name and ages of children Contact the GRG office at 321.631.7776

New Shoes

A special THANK YOU to Dr. Valerie Allen and the National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) for the generous gift of 50 new pairs of shoes for our children.

Dr. Valerie has served many years on the Board of Directors for GRG of Brevard. New shoes bring hope and joy to the many children we serve.

GRG OF BREVARD SUBTITLE | Issue 144

4

#141

HELP THE GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN OF GRG OF BREVARD BECOME A MEMBER AND/OR FRIEND Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County FL, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. are deductibleRaising on corporate, foundation and individual tax returnsFL, to theInc. extent provided by statechildren and federal Members All of gifts Grandparents Grandchildren of Brevard County, I am raising wholaws. are not my receive our newsletter and invitations to events where they can meet others in own I am their: similar situations

[ ] Grandparent

Name Date:

[ ] Aunt / Uncle

Address:

[ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify)

City/State:

[ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.

Zip: Phone: Email: [ ] Annual Membership $20

[ ] Annual Corporate Membership $500

I want to be a friend of the GRG of Brevard and enclose an additional donation of: [ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 Other: $

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge, FL 32955

Address Label

Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard