SSSRA Board Recognizes State Representative McCarthy and AT&T
On June 24, The SSSRA Board of Directors recognized State Representative Kevin McCarthy, and Mr. Sam Balark, Director of External Affairs for AT&T Illinois. On May 28, AT&T contributed $10,000 to the association’s scholarship fund, following a recommendation from Representative McCarthy.
Representative McCarthy is a long time supporter of SSSRA. Back in 2003, he contributed $500,000 to SSSRA through a Member Initiative Grant, to support the building of the association’s administrative office facility. Through the years, he has been an active supporter of the association’s annual Family Banquet and Golf Outing Fundraiser.
SSSRA appreciates the ongoing support of Representative McCarthy, and looks forward to a long time relationship with AT&T.
Superintendent Lisa Drzewiecki Recognized for 10 Years of Service
The SSSRA Board of Directors recognized Superintendent Lisa Drzewiecki for 10 years of service to the association at the June 24 Board Meeting.
Lisa was hired as the Athletic and Day Camp Coordinator in July of 2000. She came to the association with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Northern Arizona University. Lisa's experience in teaching children at the Gila River Indian Community, and her experience with running the SPARK Program, proved valuable to SSSRA participants with disabilities. The Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids Program, which focuses on fitness and healthy lifestyles for children, was brought by Lisa to students with disabilities in the SSSRA service area.
Lisa was promoted to the position of Superintendent in May of 2004. She is responsible for overseeing the agency's comprehensive service plan for our residents with disabilities. Lisa's ability to build positive relationships with local special education personnel, workshop coordinators, and parent groups, has been instrumental in the agency's growth.
Lisa's leadership skills have also proved valuable in the area of fundraising for the association. Her work with a local business owner has contributed to the success of the annual Ricky's Ride event. The event has raised over $40,000 during the last 3 years, and is sure to be a success again in 2010. Proceeds from the event are used to offer free or discounted programs and events for SSSRA participants.
Lisa is also an example of professionalism in the special recreation field. She was honored with the Illinois Therapeutic Section (ITRS) Professional of the Year Award at our State Conference in 2009. Lisa has contributed to our profession by serving on the Interagency Sports Committee, the Adaptive Sports Committee, and is the current Chair of the Youth at Risk Committee. She played a formative role in the development of the Adventure, ETC. program for children and youth with mental illness, a cooperative between 13 Special Recreation Associations and the Chicago Park District.
We are proud to have Lisa as our Superintendent and appreciate all that she has done for SSSRA.
21st Annual Golf Outing
Save the date for the 21st Annual Golf Outing. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010, at Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor.
Due to the generosity of our golfers, dinner guests, hole sponsors and prize donors, over $7050 was raised at the event in 2009.
Thanks to the following individuals and businesses who contributed $250 or more to the event last year:
Olympia Fields Park District
Walt's Food Centers, South Holland
W-T Engineering, Inc., Hoffman Estates
Matteson School District 162 Staff
Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Danceworks, Inc., Tinley Park
Studio B - Bettinardi Golf, Tinley Park
Ms. Sandra Wolff-Chevalier, Oak Forest
George Dunne National Golf Course, Oak Forest
Coyote Run Golf Course, a facility of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
For more information, please call the SSSRA office at 815-806-0384.
4th Annual Ricky's Ride
The 4th Annual Ricky's Ride will be held Sunday, September 26, 2010.
The event is sponsored by Sean Duey Fallon of New Image in Frankfort, the Schmidt family, and many friends.
The 3rd Annual Ricky's Ride raised over $13,500 that was applied directly to our program services for individuals with disabilities. SSSRA offered several programs at a 50-75% reduced fee to our residents for the 2010 winter and spring season, thanks to the proceeds raised from Ricky's Ride.
Thank you to everyone involved for your continued support of Ricky's Ride and our agency. Your generosity helps us to continue to provide quality recreation programs for individuals with special needs.
For more information about Ricky's Ride, please contact Lisa Drzewiecki, Superintendent, at 815-806-0384, ext. 21, or visit www.rickysride.org.
SSSRA Staff and Family Honored at Area 7 Spring Games
Special Olympics held the Area 7 Spring Games at Thornwood High School in South Holland the weekend of May 1, 2010.
Laura Pubins received Coach of the Year from Special Olympics. Laura started working with SSSRA in 2004 and has coached several Special Olympics sports including Softball, Track & Field, Basketball, and Volleyball. Laura also supervises weekly programs and special events such as Chef’s Kitchen, Crafty Creations, and Mexican Fiesta.
Nick Brozek’s family received Family of the Year from Special Olympics. Nick is a resident of Tinley Park and participates in Basketball, Softball, and Tennis.
Garage Project Underway
In December of 2009, the SSSRA Board of Directors approved the bid for construction of a garage, adjacent to the association’s administrative office facility.
Twenty-three bids were received for the project. Following reference checks on the five lowest bidders, Graefen Development of Frankfort was selected as the General Contractor. Construction began on March 23, 2010.
The 3,820 square foot facility, designed by Olivieri Brothers Architects of Frankfort, will house the association’s 6 vehicles, and provide extra space for storage of recreation equipment.
The project will result in increased safety for our drivers, who return from late evening program routes, operate vehicles on weekends, and in inclement weather. It will also assist us in maintaining our vehicles, and increase their longevity.
The association thanks the Frankfort Square Park District Commissioners and Mr. Jim Randall, Executive Director, for contributing the land for the project.
If you have any questions about the project, please call Janet Porter, Executive Director, at (815) 806-0384.
La Quinta Hotel Supports SSSRA
La Quinta Hotel, Tinley Park generously contributed eight rooms for SSSRA's New Years Eve Bash, which was held on Friday, January 8, 2010. The event, which is held each year, provides an opportunity for our adult participants to enjoy an overnight experience with friends. This year, 21 participants and 6 staff enjoyed the event, which included a pizza dinner, swimming, games, and a continental breakfast in the hotel the next morning. This is the third year that La Quinta provided the rooms free of charge. La Quinta's contribution enabled the association to offer this event at a reduced rate. Many
thanks to Mr. Johanns Williams, Area General Manager, for making this possible.
New 2010 Buses
The South Suburban Special Recreation Association has purchased two new 2010 Glaval 15-passenger buses! Each bus is designed to accommodate up to 5 participants who use wheelchairs or 14 participants who are ambulatory. Both buses are equipped with a state of the art Braun rear lift for easy loading and unloading and a low step-well for passengers.
In conjunction with one of SSSRA’s Strategic Initiatives, these vehicles will assist us in exploring opportunities to branch out transportation pick-up points to help serve our families more efficiently.
Furthermore, all drivers are expected to complete a comprehensive training on these vehicles and complete 10 hours of on the road driver training before transporting participants.
Recent Grants Received Total $13,800
Due to the generosity of the following foundations, program expenses for select programs will be covered, and program fees will be lowered or free for our residents during 2010:
Edmond & Alice Opler Foundation, Oak Lawn, IL - $10,000 for day camp transportation services
Ecolab Foundation, Joliet, IL - $3,800 for Early Childhood programs
Many thanks to these groups for their assistance to our participants, and for their support of our valuable mission.
Lan-Oak Park District Membership - June 1, 2008
The Lan-Oak Park District became the eleventh member of SSSRA, effective June 1, 2008. Residents of Lansing may now register for all SSSRA programs at the resident rate. Lansing residents are also eligible for scholarships and for door-to-door transportation services for designated programs.
Several programs are now be held in Lansing each season. In addition, pick-up point transportation to and from Lansing is offered for several programs and special events, enabling Lansing residents to conveniently participate. Many SSSRA programs are held in Homewood, just a ten to fifteen minute drive for most Lansing residents.
Are you a Lansing resident with a specific program request? Please contact our Superintendent, Lisa Drzewiecki, at (815) 806-0384, or by e-mail at lisa@sssra.org.
SSSRA Headlines
