Tree of Hope: Helping locals with disabilities flourish
Tree of Hope (TOH) is holding a campus kick-off on the University of Illinois quad on December 4, from 7-8 p.m., in support of the annual fundraiser. The Johnson Family, this year’s TOH "spokesfamily," will be in attendance.
TOH is a fundraising campaign organized by Champaign County’s Developmental Services Center (DSC) and is completely underwritten by sponsors. Every donated dollar stays local and goes directly to supports and services for persons with developmental disabilities.
TOH began in 1994 with a goal of $40,000. Last year, they raised $108,869, exceeding their goal of $100,000. They have set their goal for this year at $125,000 and DSC Director of Development Janice McAteer is hoping the Johnson Family will help get them there.
“DSC is extremely thankful for the TOH spokesfamilies who, throughout the years, have shared their stories with our community, giving better insight and understanding to what life is like when raising a child with a disability,” McAteer said.
The Johnson Family moved from Florida to Champaign in 2010 and sought services for their three-year-old daughter Zoe, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months of age. According to Kinetta Johnson, Zoe’s mother, the Early Intervention Program referred them to DSC’s Family Development Center, which has “helped Zoe to achieve more gains in the last year than she had in previous years.”
“We have benefitted from the wonderful, comprehensive support DSC provides for children and adults with various disabilities. As state and federal funding for people with disabilities continues to diminish, it is essential that our community band together to support DSC,” Johnson said.
McAteer has worked closely with the family over the past few months. “They are a remarkable family who is working extremely hard to make sure Zoe gets all the services and supports she needs to live each step of her life as independently as possible. She is an inspiring young lady who shows perseverance, resolve and peace in the way that humbles those around her. She has a zest for life that is palpable.”
McAteer has been with DSC for eight years and has both a daughter and a sister with disabilities. “It is my life, so I work what I live,” she said. "Parents of a child with a disability worry about who will love, care for and be there for their child when they are gone…I have heard other parents say, ‘If I could only live one hour longer than my child with the disability, I could rest in peace.’ It’s true.”
DSC serves approximately 1,300 children and adults in Champaign County annually, with a commitment to encouraging independence and enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities.
For more information on the Johnson Family and how you can donate to the Tree of Hope campaign please see the DSC website.
Also, be sure to check out the TOH tree, which can be found at the corner of Marketview and Prospect. Each bulb that is lit represents $50 in donations received.
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@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…
Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.
Why wait ‘til 3 pm?
I’m excited to go tonight- should be very fun!
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High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
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I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!