Gossip Sheet # 40 - April 17, 2003
Editor: Nigel Riddel

PROGRAM - NIAGARA PENINSULA CHILDRENS CENTRE

Our Easter meeting today was presided over by acting President Brian St. Hilaire. Grace was said, followed by our National Anthem and a toast to the Queen and Canada.

HEAD TABLE: Charlene Macdonald and Dorothy Harvey our guest speakers, acting President Brian St Hilaire, Sergeant of Arms Peter (Lumpy) Lumsden, One of our newest members Peter Mahoney and Terry McDougall, who introduced our guests.

GUESTS: Vladimar Kagramanov from the Mississauga Golf and Country Club and Michael Trach from the NOTL Rotary Club.

BIRTHDAYS: No Birthdays this Week!

Charlene Macdonald, Dorothy Harvey, Acting President Brian St. Hilaire, Peter Lumsden, Peter Mahoney and Terry McDougall

Announcements

After being spared a rendition of Happy Birthday the following announcements were made.

Heather Combe reported that Sarah Bolero has made the school soccer team, however cleats and shin pads are required, please see Heather if you can donate.

Doug Geddie

Our guest Vladimar Kagramanov asked if anybody in their line of business could help out in a one page survey geared towards students in IT.

Doug Geddie announced the Annual Rotary-Algoma Golf Tournament to take place at Lookout Point in Fonthill on June the 20th. Sponsor a hole for $150.00, donate a prize or round up a foursome. All proceeds to benefit the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre summer camping for disabled children.

Wade Stayzer announced for all you Smart Servers that 7:00 pm on May 26 at Brock University is the day to put in your diaries. Still 8 spots remaining.

Ross Macdonald was pleased to announce that 80 members pledged $16,207 for the Polio Plus campaign making a total of $43,220 after the club match and the Federal government input. However last minute pledgers are still welcome.

Bill Campbell announced in advance of a new member being inducted next week.

Happy Dollars

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart did the honours this week starting us off with a story about left handed golfers, chocolates, Easter, Valentines and patients finding religion whilst sitting in his dentist chair (you find the connection).

Liz Palmieri relieved that her two kids last university assignments are in.

Doug Geddie got the short end of the golf club by drawing Thursday for the Masters - the day that was cancelled due to rain.

John Snowling asked if anybody was impersonating him by looking at their name badges.

Lezlie Murch was happy that one of her students is going to St. Bonaventure in NY on a 100% tennis scholarship, worth a mere $100,000 U.S.

Peggy Davidson was pleased to see the TD branch raise over $800.00 in a bake sale and that her culinary expertise raised $850.00 in the 15th annual Bethleham Place fundraiser at Rodman Hall.

Jack Coopman happy he has made it to 56 years of wedded bliss.

50-50 DRAW
Sat Singh made his way up to the table to try his luck, but to no avail. The pot continues to grow.

Program
Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre

John Tebrake

It goes without saying that John TeBrake was the natural choice to introduce our two guest speakers today, Charlene Macdonald and Dorothy Harvey from the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre. For the benefit of the newer members John gave us a brief summary of the clubs involvement with the NPCC over the years. By 1971 our club had donated more than $300,000. In the 1960s our club and the Maycourt Club spearheaded the development and building of the very first children's treatment center in Niagara. More recently in 1995, in which the NPCC did its third redevelopment since 1968, our club donated $100,000. Our club has been strong in supporting this wonderful programme over the years and hopes this will continue. The NPCC has five managers in its organizational structure. Two of which are with us today. Charlene Macdonald manages school age services and is a speech pathologist, whilst Dorothy manages the pre-school area and is a physiotherapist.

Dorothy Harvey and Charlene Macdonald

Charlene and Dorothy indulged us today and gave us an update on what is going on in the world of the NPCC. This organization was established in 1964 and is a voluntary nonprofit agency, originally named the Niagara Peninsula Crippled Children's center it is listed under the Public Hospitals Act.

The center has four main objectives. It assesses and provides therapy for children with communication and/or physical disabilities. Sets up therapy teams which designs a plan with the family to meet the childs needs and has clinics which provide specialized high tech services. During the time a child is involved with the NPCC he or she may have multiple needs. For example a child with cerebral palsy may need physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, pool programme, seating clinic, splint casting clinic, orthopedic clinic and psychology. As of 01 April 2003 there are 1,146 distinct children receiving a total of 2,085 services. There is currently a 4-6 month wait time with 222 children waiting for 356 services.

There are 26 staff members in the organization comprising of five physiotherapists, eight occupational therapists, seven speech language pathologists, three social workers, a psychologist and an aquatic instructor. There are also several medical consultants that help out as well. The clinical programmes are broken down into teams. Infant and preschool sees children from birth to senior kindergarden. School aged services and clinics sees children at the NPCC school as well as those children with changing physical needs. The staff is dedicated to the highest professional standards and uses leading technology and therapy techniques.

The centre can be broken down into the following trends: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Augmentative Communication and Service trends. The NPCC is primarily accountable to the Ministry of Health and Long term care. It also receives funding from the Ministry of Community, family and childrens, the public health branch, community care access centre and the NPCC foundation.

John Tebrake, Charlene Macdonald, Dorothy Harvey and Brian St. Hilaire

In partnership with the community the NPCC runs summer camps. In 1999 the centre was awarded a three year Trillium foundation grant to establish summer camps for children with special needs. Even though recreation is not part of the centers funding mandate it is an integral part of the needs for the children and their families. Sustainability of the camps was achieved through the partnership with Red Roof Retreats in Niagara-on-the-Lake. These camps provide safe, supported recreational experiences for the children. It focuses on science, nature, crafts and special events as well as allowing for rest and relaxation. The camp is held at two sites, the NPCC centre where gym, pool and meeting rooms are used and the Red Roof Retreat where outdoor facilities are used.

Doug Geddie admirably thanked both Charlene and Dorothy for their talk today and giving us an insight in to what goes on at the NPCC.