Latest news with #Easterseals
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Davidsville man rides GAP trail to raise awareness for Easterseals
DAVIDSVILLE, Pa. – As Dan Honkus considered his approaching retirement from Somerset Trust Co., he decided he wanted to mark the occasion with a special trip in May. After some consideration and research, the Davidsville resident chose to bicycle the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage that connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. 'When I decided it was time to retire ... I wanted to do something that's outdoorsy and a challenge,' Honkus said. He had heard about the GAP throughout the past 10 years, and read about the attractiveness of the trail to people around the world, which piqued his interest. While preparing for the trip, Honkus added another level to the journey. He decided to combine his retirement adventure with another longtime passion of his, Easterseals. He has served on the Easterseals Cambria-Somerset Division advisory council since the 1980s, and recently took a position on the Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania board. Honkus started a fundraiser for the nonprofit titled 'Bridging the GAP for Easterseals' and set the goal at $2,500, which was quickly met. He has kept donations open since completing the ride to raise as much money as he can for the organization, which helps children and adults with speech and hearing disabilities, autism and other developmental delays. As of Monday, the total raised was $5,596. Contributions may be made through May 31 by visiting 'I'm pretty proud of where it stands now, and hopefully it will grow,' Honkus said. His interest in Easterseals started with his late boss John Stewart, who served on the Cambria-Somerset Division council and encouraged Honkus to join. Honkus said that he found the group's mission to be inspiring and he wanted to support it. That's why he dedicated so much time to the council, joined the board and created the fundraiser. Honkus said the fundraiser also served as a motivator during the difficult portions of the GAP trail. 'For me, personally, riding for somebody who stepped up and supported my charity was a real incentive,' he said. Annette Shearman, Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania division manager, said everyone is 'very grateful to Dan' for his charitable journey. 'He's an awesome guy,' she added. 'We're just really excited about it.' Shearman said one of Easterseals' main challenges is raising awareness about what it does, which makes Honkus' advocacy so important. According to the website, the nonprofit offers 'programs and services to ensure that people with disabilities or other special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.' Honkus said he was glad to help, and to have a longtime friend join in. When he considered who could accompany him on the journey, former college roommate Rick Ferris made perfect sense, he said. Honkus and Ferris met at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and have remained friends for decades since. Honkus asked Ferris to join him earlier this year, and within a few days, the college buddy was on board. The two had a blast riding the 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Honkus said. They started May 1 and wrapped up May 5, with a rest day at Ohiopyle in between. The beauty of the Laurel Highlands and the solitude along the trail were remarkable, Honkus said. 'It exceeded my expectations,' he said. 'It was truly a great trip.' Honkus gained an interest in bicycling within the past 10 years after his daughter, Jackie Honkus, purchased a trail bike. He said he found bicycling invigorating, and since he lives so close to the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area, it was a natural hobby to pick up. The now-retired Somerset Trust Co. controller spends a lot of time at the reservoir, and described the scenic space as his 'happy place.' For more information about Easterseals, visit
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local eighth grader graduates from Easterseals Learning Academy
GERMANTOWN HILLS, Ill. (WMBD) — One local eighth grader got a well-earned celebration on Thursday. Through Easterseals Learning Academy in Germantown Hills, Charlie Jane Vining, who goes by Janie, graduated from eighth grade, marking a significant milestone in her life. 'They have one, made her life easier,' said Joanna Vining, Janie's mom, talking about Easterseals. 'She is able to cope and hit milestones that we didn't ever think she would ever be able to.' Janie was diagnosed with high-sensory and non-verbal autism at the age of two. She's a creative girl who loves art, especially coloring. 'Her heart is coloring,' Joanna said. 'She loves to color, she loves makeup, and of course, she loves pink.' Because of Janie's love of the color pink, her whole graduation's theme from the punch to the cupcakes was all pink. Janie's brother Aiden said his sister is always upbeat and carrying a tune. He talked about his favorite thing about his sister. 'Singing in the house,' Aiden said, 'I love how she's always singing, smiling, playing her games, and she's always just there. It's awesome.' Niccole Maloney has been teaching Janie for close to five years now, and has seen her growth firsthand. 'When I first started with her, she would speak in a few words, and now she's speaking with complete sentences,' Maloney said. 'She is able to express her emotions and how she feels. We've just seen a huge growth in her communication.' With Janie's creativity, Maloney hopes she sticks with it. 'I think Janie's a fantastic artist, so I would love to see her just keep developing her art, keep developing her fashion,' she said. For everyone who has supported her this far, Janie had one message: 'I love you all.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Corporate And Government Collaboration With Nonprofits Is Critical
Kendra Davenport is the President and CEO of Easterseals. Federal funding for nonprofits has been all over the news recently. It's worth remembering that nonprofits not only provide essential services to Americans, but they also help power our economy. These organizations employ millions of people, many of whom deliver critical care to individuals who need it while allowing their family caregivers to go to work. But nonprofits don't do it alone. The services they provide are often through an impressive collaboration between the business community and federal, state and local officials. As the president and CEO of a nonprofit that provides life-changing services for people with disabilities, aging adults, veterans, children and caregivers in communities across the country, I know firsthand how nonprofits can improve people's quality of life. I began working in the nonprofit sector after graduating from college in 1988. Since then, I have worked for multiple domestic and international nonprofits, all of which help fill a pressing societal need—from early childhood education to direct support for people with disabilities. I believe nonprofits are a source of tremendous good that positively benefits our society in countless ways, making them a force multiplier. Nonprofits across the country support people of all ages and backgrounds, often acting as an extension of the services provided by the U.S. government. Nonprofits address community needs that are otherwise unmet—empowering millions to work, go to school, raise and support families and realize the American dream. They step in when crisis strikes—feeding, clothing, housing, caring for and providing medical assistance to people in immediate need. Nonprofits also serve as an important bridge to private sector companies with which many of the nation's largest and oldest nonprofits have forged impressive, long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships. Such companies, many household names, play an integral role in delivering in-kind donations of products as well as significant financial support to promote and sustain important programs that benefit millions of Americans of all ages. Simply put: Government, business and nonprofit collaboration helps provide essential services that strengthen communities and delivers vital services to millions of people across the country. If you have grown up in America, you have likely personally benefited from at least one nonprofit—Easterseals, the YMCA USA, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Girl Scouts, the Red Cross or any number of other nonprofit institutions, including schools, community centers, churches, museums and hospitals. Nonprofits are part of the fabric and culture of the United States. The Covid-19 pandemic illustrated how many Americans are just a paycheck away from food insecurity. As the pandemic dragged on, impacting more and more people, nonprofit assistance became essential. Nonprofits helped address this problem by distributing food and other essentials to people through hundreds of food banks, food pantries, churches and community centers. The images of cars lined up to collect food at distribution facilities are etched in our minds—images that reflect the intrinsic good of the American people and underscore the notion that nonprofits are a force multiplier. Most nonprofits operate with a mix of private funding they raise through the support of corporations, foundations, individual donors and grants from the U.S. government. Many health and human service nonprofits, including ours, rely heavily on other forms of government support, including Medicaid, to pay direct service professionals who provide care for millions of people with disabilities, seniors and veterans. But while our services are partially funded by the government, we also raise money from private entities and individuals. This means we supplement government funding, making tax dollars go further than they would otherwise. Without the assistance of the country's massive nonprofit community, programs operated by the federal government that provide people with food, medicine, physical and mental healthcare, education, job skills training, crisis intervention, transportation and more would not be able to meet many of our country's needs. But nonprofits don't just provide critical services that support hard-working Americans; they also play a massive role in our economy. Nonprofits across America employ nearly 13 million people, accounting for roughly 10% of America's working population. Cutting federal funding for nonprofits will weaken our ability to maintain lifesaving programs while also eliminating many of these jobs. Once those programs are eliminated, families who depend on them to care for children or loved ones will be forced to rethink everything from childcare to eldercare. Many will have to choose between continuing to work and staying home to care for their loved ones. The most disastrous impacts, however, will be borne by the direct beneficiaries of the programs—our most underserved and under-resourced populations—young children, people with disabilities, older people and veterans, to name just a few of the groups for which the risk is greatest. Nonprofits work every day in service to Americans, often on shoestring budgets with too few staff and typically not nearly enough money. Despite these challenges, U.S. nonprofits do extraordinary things. Easterseals, for example, provides essential disability and community services for 1.5 million people yearly; Feeding America provides food for Americans who don't have enough daily; the Salvation Army provides food, clothing and shelter to those most in need. Removing federal funding that helps pay for these essential services will create a funding emergency for nonprofits, making immediate layoffs, program shutdowns and closures inevitable. However, this challenging situation also presents an opportunity for businesses. Now more than ever, their partnership with nonprofits is needed to support local communities. By stepping up to support these organizations, businesses can not only contribute to meaningful causes but also build long-term value by enhancing brand awareness and fostering goodwill, especially at a time when nonprofit organizations urgently need support. Business leaders, let's keep America strong by protecting funding for the critical programs nonprofits provide to millions of people each and every day. It's the right thing and the smart thing to do. Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Easterseals annual tribute dinner coming up
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – It's that time of the year again for Easterseals: the annual tribute dinner. This year, two people are being nominated, both with decades of service to the organization. Sara McKeehan joined Gretchen Ross and Joe Bird on Daybreak to tell more about the nominees. You can watch the full interview in the media player. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
More than 3,000 people head to Holiday World for annual Play Day
SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (WEHT) — More than 3,000 people passed through the front gate of Holiday World for the 33rd annual Play Day. The annual event allows kids with disabilities to have the park to themselves for a day and accommodates families that may need more assistance. For the 33rd year holiday world donates tickets to Easterseals, to provide deep discounts to people with disabilities. New for 2025, the park updated its accessibility guide, which rates each attraction's movement, sound and touch intensity. Holiday World opens to everyone Saturday morning at 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
