Giving From the Heart - personal stories from city employees

Geneva Ayers, Department of Finance, Parking Fines Unit.
Daughter's Name: Shirley Annette Johnson, Date of death May 16, 1999 at the age of 27 years old.

"I give from the heart because of the loss of my daughter to the AIDS virus. My donation is designated to the research of AIDS in hopes that one less life will be lost to this deadly virus."

Ms. Kyesha S. Fitzgerald, Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks/Personnel
I give from the heart because, it gives people the motivation to hold on... Keep fighting... Knowing that someone cares enough to donate to a service that can help them. You never know the turns that life may take. It can even be your own life that you are saving...  No one wants to lose a loved one... especially when there is a fighting chance...

Casey Cares Foundation Success Stories #4710
Baltimore city residents Azaria, age 5, and her family are constantly making trips to Johns Hopkins Hospital for the treatment of sickle cell disease.  Her mom said that Azaria is in pain and sad all the time due to her illness.  However, the Casey Cares Foundation provides a silver lining to that family's cloud by providing so many fun activities for the family to enjoy.  The circus, Disney on Ice, new pairs of comfy pajamas, pirate parties, movies and pizza nights are just a few of the many opportunities that Azaria and her family have experienced.  While Azaria suffers with this insidious disease through childhood, Casey Cares will give her and her family as many happy memories as possible to focus on instead.  

Little Da'Keyia turned two in January of 2010 and has been in and out of University of Maryland Hospital for Children fighting for her life.  After being diagnosed with neuroblastoma (cancer), Da'Keyia's family was referred to the Casey Cares Foundation where they can begin to smile again.  To help relieve some of her family’s agony and keep their spirits up, they have been treated to Casey Cares activities like a pool party, holiday party (and meeting the Governor's wife, Judge Katie O'Malley), Playhouse Disney Live, dinners, birthday surprises and even getting away together on a Celebration Vacation.  Keeping the family concentrating on many happy experiences is so important to a family’s recovery and what the Casey Cares Foundation is all about. 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland Success Stories
Park Heights Woman Overcomes Disability, Works 13 Years at Ellicott City Restaurant 
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland Honors Fonda Swann with “Can Do” Award

Owings Mills, Md.—Fonda Swann, a participant in United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland's Supported Employment Program, was presented with this year's Samuel A. Tucker Memorial "Can Do" Award on Wednesday, March 24th at the agency's annual Independence Society Reception at Linwoods Restaurant in Owings Mills, a thank-you event for UCP's major donors.

Ms. Swann, who has cerebral palsy, was described in her nomination by Rich Ottone, director UCP's Central Region Day Programs, as "the personification of persistence and determination." Ms. Swann has worked for the Old Country Buffet in Ellicott City for 13 years. Though she requires the assistance of a cane, has difficulty using her arms and legs and rarely gets the opportunity to "sit" during her five-hour shift, Ms. Swann doesn’t let it deter her from taking great pride in the appearance of the salad bar for which she is responsible, and offering customers a welcoming smile and pleasant conversation.

Despite her disability, Ms. Swann takes on other responsibilities with similar fervor. She arranges for her own transportation both to and from work, does her own grocery shopping, and helps her sister with the care of her children, including babysitting when necessary.

"This award recognizes individuals supported by UCP for their abilities not their disabilities," says UCP President and CEO, Diane Coughlin. "Fonda is very independent, which is what UCP is all about. In fact, it's the very core of our mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities. UCP's supported employment service is available to individuals with disabilities to provide assistance with job selection, interviewing, training, and maintaining both paid and volunteer positions in the community." With continued support from her job coach, Ms. Swann is working on expanding her employment horizons by learning how to type. She hopes this new skill will eventually give her an opportunity to land a receptionist job.

Swann's award, the Samuel A. Tucker Memorial "Can Do" Award, recognizes an individual with disabilities who receives support from UCP of Central MD and exemplifies the drive and determination of Samuel Tucker. Tucker, a former UCP participant who had cerebral palsy, overcame the challenges of his disability, attended college, married and practiced law. Tucker and his wife were actively involved as volunteers at UCP, and his wife continues to support the organization.

UCP of Central Maryland is a nonprofit organization promoting the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Baltimore County, the agency serves people in Baltimore City and 18 counties in Maryland, providing special education and therapeutic services for children, as well as adult residential services and in-home supports, adult day programs, supported employment, respite care, and assistive technology.

Maryland Society for Sight Baltimore City Success Stories

Many individuals who are homeless, unfortunately, become the victims of violence while living on the streets/or having no permanent place of residence. Steven is one such victim. When he presented at the clinic to be seen by the Maryland Society for Sight Vision Van, he reported that he had been assaulted and robbed recently. He also reported that he had experienced a sudden loss of vision in one eye after this event. Upon being examined, it was discovered that he had a retinal bleed and he was immediately referred to a retinal specialist for treatment. Timeliness of treatment is critical with this type of eye problem and as a result of this program, it is hoped that he will not loose the vision in his eye.

Maria was a child enrolled in a Baltimore City Head Start. With limited English skills it would have been easy to assume that her poor performance with the vision screening games were due to the language barrier. A Spanish-speaking optometrist who volunteers Maryland Society for Sight donated an eye exam and determined that this four year old had 20/400 vision and required glasses with a powerful prescriptive lens. By participating in the Preschool Vision Screening Program this child will be able to learn and thrive thanks to corrected eyesight.