Intermountain Therapy Animals

The use of animals to facilitate positive changes in a broad spectrum of therapeutic settings is becoming more accepted, appreciated and valued. Under direction of health services and education professionals, animal-assisted therapy can promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social improvement for people with special needs.

In animal-assisted therapy (AAT) programs, volunteer teams become formally involved in patient treatment regimens, helping motivate the achievement of a wide variety of goals and objectives. As those who share their lives with companion animals will attest, there are benefits that animals can provide that oftentimes people cannot. Research is now corroborating this conventional wisdom.

Intermountain Therapy Animals works with children and adults who are physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled, as well as others who can benefit from the unique qualities that interaction with an animal can provide. Some miraculous improvements have been made during animal-assisted therapy visits.

Caleb's Story

In July 2007 the Howard family’s car was hit head-on by a car that had crossed over to the wrong side of the road. Caleb’s mom, brother and sister were killed outright. Caleb survived, but suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones.



Charity code for Intermountain Therapy Animals is 2506

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa

Habitat for Humanity

Every family needs a place to call home. A place where they can dream, grow and become part of their community. But for many families, no matter how hard they work, having a home of their own will never be a reality. That is why Habitat for Humanity was created.

This innovative program does not give away homes, but provides a way for hard-working medium and lower income families to own homes in a market where housing is beyond their financial reach.

Habitat for Humanity partners with the community to provide affordable housing and no-profit, zero-percent interest mortgages to families. New homeowners and volunteers build and rehabilitate simple, decent houses under the supervision of trained homebuilders. Individuals, corporations and many others provide much needed financial support.

Habitat is a hand up, not a hand out. Each potential homeowner
• Makes a down payment
• Makes monthly mortgage payments
• Invests hundreds of hours of their own labor–sweat equity-into building
their house and the houses of others

In addition all Habitat families are required to attend education classes including consumer credit, budgeting, home maintenance and estate planning.

Habitat brings stability, pride and self worth to hard working families through home ownership by providing some measure of control over a basic element of life, shelter.

The finances of a working family are improved by gaining equity. This control and sense of investment in the community are crucial to breaking the attitude and cycle of poverty.



HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE
ReCycle—ReClaim--RePurpose
Is a retail outlet where quality used and surplus building materials are donated. Products are then sold at below retail prices. Proceeds from ReStore help fund Habitat for Humanity. It also reduces the amount of materials sent to the local landfill.

For more information or to donate material to the ReStore contact Bill or Stephanie 801-263-0136 ext 200 or email at restore @habitatsaltlake.com.

2011 Charity Code for Habitat for Humanity is 3546

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little. ~Edmund Burke

The Adopt-a-Native Elder Program

I have the opportunity to work in the same Division as Masuda Medcalf . She has a kind heart and never hesitates if there is an opportunity to help those in need. Her energy and enthusiasm about helping others is contagious. One organization is especially close to her heart, Adopt-a-Native Elder Program (ANE). I hope you find it inspiring to read what Masuda writes about the program, volunteering, and her involvement in ANE. 

Adopt-A-Native-Elder

I attended my first Navajo Rug Show eleven years ago when some friends of mine who were volunteers invited me to the opening night of the Show.  As I walked into those rooms, I felt this spiritual presence and sense of peace among the Navajo Elders and the ANE volunteers that I cannot begin to explain.  I signed up to volunteer that night.  Today, I still feel that way whenever I work with ANE volunteers and when I am with the Elders; I think it is the feeling of knowing I am helping very peaceful and humble people.  I have also made some very rewarding friendships with other volunteers from all over the World, which keeps me coming back.

ANE takes food, clothing, simple medicines, blankets, water, firewood, etc. to the Navajo Reservation to support the Elders so they live on the Land in their traditional lifestyle.  It is done mostly through donors who "adopt" an Elder on the Reservation, which means they agree to pay $75 in the Spring and $75 in the Fall to ANE for food that volunteers deliver to the Reservation on food runs.  My kids and I have boxed foods at the warehouse located at 328 W Gregson (about 3200 S) before each Spring and Fall Food Run. 

The ANE warehouse holds volunteer hours on Tues and Friday mornings.  I go there on Fridays and volunteer with other jobs, including office work, boxing medical boxes, making blankets and quilts for the Elders, etc. 

Each January we begin planning for the big Navajo Rug Show at Deer Valley held in November - it's the highlight of the year for me:  http://anelder.org/i/5706Poster2010Cropped(Low).pdf.  This year's theme is Weaving World Peace, and as you will see from the poster link, the Elders' rugs indicate their own interpretation of how to weave World Peace.  The Show will be held November 12-14th at Snow Park Lodge.

 

 The Navajo Elders arrive on the Wed before the Rug Show; the ANE volunteers help them set up their rugs and jewelry at the Lodge, and in the evening cook a meal for them.  On Thursday Nov 11, and Friday morning November 12th, the Elders and ANE volunteers have school programs, where local schools bring their students for field trips, learning about Navajo culture, music, dance, etc.  Thursday afternoon ANE holds a Grandma Party and in the process gives them things they need at home on the Reservation.  This year, we made quilts for the 40 Elders who will attend the Grandma Party, so my friends and I have been very busy quilting. 

Friday November 12th at 6 pm is the grand opening; refreshments are catered for the event and all rug and jewelry sales are 10% off.  There will be entertainment followed by a live auction of World Peace rugs and other packages.  Saturday events include the Crowning of the Navajo Little Princess, Grandmother Weaving Demonstration and Grandma Idol Contest.  Sunday is the Flag and Veterans Ceremony, followed by a Weaving Demonstration and a Pow-Wow.  The Veterans Ceremony is very touching; Sam Tsosie, one of the original code talkers has been a part of that ceremony for the last few years.



We also started the Warming Hearts Firewood Program this year to help the Elders with badly needed firewood.  Many Elders on the Navajo Reservation still live in hogans and use firewood not only to warm their homes but also for cooking.  The program started with the efforts of celebrity spokesperson Jay Tavare (jaytavare.com), who has been in several movies including Cold Mountain, Into the West, Pathfinder, Adaptation, The Missing, etc.  Jay attends the Rug Show each year and has been bringing supporters to Utah who also volunteer their time.

 ANE is always looking for volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer at the Rug Show or year round, please let me know and I will put you in touch with the right people at ANE.

Website:  http://anelder.org/

Rug Show: November 12-14, 2010 http://anelder.org/i/5706Poster2010Cropped(Low).pdf

2011 Charity Code: 1002 

Using Your Heart and Head

Choosing a charity can be a challenge. One of the advantages of donating through the Utah State Employees Charitable Contribution Campaign is the charities have already been approved. To qualify for your support, charities must:
--Be in compliance with the Utah Charitable Solicitations Act administered by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.
--Have current IRS 501C3 non-profit, tax exempt status.
--Complete an Application for Inclusion in the Utah State Employee' Charitable Fund Campaign.
--Be approved by the Charitable Fund Board.

Check out their website at http://www.usecf.state.utah.us/

But what if you still can't decide? There are several questions you can ask yourself to help choose a charity.

First, identify a cause that speaks to you. Do you care about the environment? Are you interested in medical issues? Are you an animal lover or are you concerned with helping children? Do you want to support the arts, or put an end to poverty and homelessness? Are you passionate about religion, education, or other issues?

Once you narrow down the kind of charity you want to choose, where do you want your money to go? Do you want to contribute to people in your community, or on the other side of the world? Do you want to make a difference locally, regionally, nationally or internationally?

Should you pick a large or small charity? If you donate to a large charity, you can be part of a larger whole. You may not be able to find a cure for cancer on your own, but you along with other donors can make a large impact. On the other hand, your single gift to a smaller organization may have a larger impact on the charity. Your donation might keep an important program running or allow a new project to launch.

Once you have focused on your interests and where you would like the money to go, evaluate the programs and goals of the organization. Most charities have websites with valuable information about their purpose, programs and vision for the future. Are these goals realistic? Do they have a good plan for reaching those goals?

Even if you select a well-known charity, take the time to find out exactly where your money is going and what it is being used for. You may want to do some research on http://www.charitynavigator.org/ which rates individual charities and how proficiently they raise money. Copies of the returns filed with the IRS are available without cost at http://www.guidestar.org/

The Division of Consumer Protection http://www.consumerprotection.utah.gov/ offers some valuable information under "facts about giving wisely."

Now that you have determined what charity to give to are you going to make a one time donation or payroll deduction? Log on to http://www.usecf.state.utah.us/ to pledge on line.

If you can't donate financially, consider giving of your time and personal skills. This can be very valuable to the organization you are helping, and makes you feel great!



The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten

The Christmas Box House

(https://www.thechristmasboxhouse.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=18)

The Christmas Box House provides temporary shelter and assessment services for children up to the age of eleven who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Instead of spending the night in less comfortable circumstances, they are able to arrive at the House where the staff is immediately available to talk to them and explain what is happening, what will happen, and why. The House staff provide a sense of caring, warmth and continuity at a very difficult time in a child's life. The children receive mental, emotional, and physical help until an appropriate placement has been set up or until their environment at home is safe.

I have worked personally with the staff at the CBH. Six years ago two of my grandchildren were removed from their home and placed in the CBH. They were there for six weeks before I was able to take custody and adopt them. They still talk about their experience and the care and counseling they received at a very frightening and traumatic time.

Thank you, Christmas Box House for taking care of my grandchildren and for being there for all the other children who are in need of a loving safe environment.

For ongoing volunteer opportunities please go to: www.youth.slco.org and click on "Volunteer"

The 2011 Charity Code for The Christmas Box House is 1090.

If anyone has an experience with any charities they would like to share or would like to spot light one of them, please let me know. The approved list of charities are at http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/Docs/2011CharityCodesAlpha.pdf



"The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker." -Helen Keller

Charity Fund Kickoff

I had the unexpected privilege of being asked to join the Commerce Fund Drive Campaign Committee just this past week and I jumped on the opportunity to help with the kickoff. In my previous employment, I had participated in many community fund raising activities and am always eager to help when I can.

During the kickoff event, I was able to observe the interaction with our employees and the organizations that came with their displays and information about their charities. The best way for me to summarize what I saw is this:

There are many people (and animals) who are in need. Times are tough and money is tight right now, but this event made me realize how many organizations there are who rely solely on the kindness of others. I would encourage you all to make at least a small donation to at least one of the participants who came to the event, or another charity of your choice. Payroll deduction has always been my method of delivery and it has worked out well for me. Even if you donate a few dollars per check, it can really add up for those who need it most.

If there was an organization who came to our event that you would like more information on, they all have websites you can visit. I am encouraging all of you to visit them for more detailed information and contact information.

The charities that attended the kickoff were:

Adopt a Native Elder
Alzheimer's Association, Utah Chapter
And Justice for All
Art Access/VSA Utah
Best Buddies for Children with Mental Retardation
Breast Cancer Foundation
Community Health Charities
Crossroads Urban Center
Fourth Street Clinic
Intermountain Donor Services
Intermountain Therapy Animals
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah
Rescue Mission of Salt Lake
Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity
The Happy Factory
The Road Home
Utah Faces
Utah Open Lands
Wasatch Community Gardens
Westridge Academy







Thank you to all of you who attended, we had a great turnout, and I was able to meet some really nice, new people who work right here in my building!

Again, please give what you can, and if you can't make a monetary donation, I would encourage you to donate some time to help out in our community.

Sincerely,
Allyson Robinson

If you haven’t got charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. –Bob Hope

Quiz Winners

Thanks to everyone who submitted their Charity quizzes. We have twelve people who got every question right. They are:

Amy Corak--Consumer Protection
Carlos Alamilla--Real Estate
Cyndy Nelson--Office of Property Rights Ombudsman
Elliot R. Lawrence--Office of Property Rights Ombudsman
Ken Barton--Securities
Masuda Medcalf--Admin
Rachell Oaks--Corporations
Shauna DeWolf--Consumer Protection
Sheila Johnson--Admin
Su Chon--Office of Property Rights Ombudsman
Tim Davis--Corporations
Valarie Stewart--Public Utilites

Congratulations! You really know our charities and the Employees Charitable Campaign. Out of those who scored 100%, three winners were drawn. The winners are:

Cyndy Nelson
Valarie Stewart
Ken Barton




They were each awarded a gift basket filled with donations from The Cookie Tree, Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity, The Happy Factory and Community Shares/Utah.