Jenspiration
NextHome announces new charity partnership with Canine Companions for Independence
NextHome has announced a new national charity partner, Canine Companions for Independence®, a non-profit with the primary purpose to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs. The partnership will drive national donation efforts from its local offices to generate additional funds that will provide Canine Companions assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities free of charge.
The partnership with Canine Companions was revealed during the fourth annual NextHome conference, held recently. The three-day event in Las Vegas brought together hundreds of NextHome franchisees, brokers and agents from across the country to take a first peek on trending industry insights and introduce new programs, such as this partnership.
“As a firm believer in investing in your own team and giving back to local communities, it made perfect sense to associate NextHome with an organization that is equally dedicated to society by delivering the greatest resources to individuals in need,” states Chief Executive Officer James Dwiggins. “Our hope is that our match-made partnership with Canine Companions for Independence will enrich the lives of those people through the support of our offices, agents, followers, friends and families.”
Canine Companions introduced the concept of assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities in 1975. With professional instructors who possess hundreds of years of cumulative experience in both training assistance dogs and being able to instruct people with over 60 different types of disabilities, Canine Companions is now known as the largest provider of assistance dogs in the world.
“We’re excited about this new partnership with NextHome and appreciate that they share our belief in the value of collaboration and community,” adds Paige Mazzoni, chief executive officer of Canine Companions for Independence. “With the support from NextHome and their franchise with hundreds of offices across the nation, we’ll be able to unite more people with dogs in a powerful program that opens up new opportunities and new possibilities and allows us to expand the work that we do that improves the quality of life for so many people.”
NextHome is encouraging its members, friends, families and supporters to help raise funds to support the mission of Canine Companions for Independence. Donations will allow Canine Companions to continue to provide expertly trained assistance dogs and follow-up services free of charge to adults, children and veterans.
To learn more about the new partnership and ways to support Canine Companions for Independence, please visit cci.org/nexthome.
By RISMedia Staff
Jenspiration
Phoenix Project benefits from Tattoo Raffle by OHPMC
Last weekend on Saturday the Ohana Pride Shenandoah County held a rally to benefit the Phoenix Project. Several members gathered for a bike parade and raffle. During social distancing times, it is really difficult to host events and fundraisers that non-profits count on. Please consider your non-profits in these unusual times. Out of the box fundraising ideas are welcomed!
Watch this video to see the OHPMC crew introduction, ride, interview with Tammy Sharpe at Phoenix Project, and live raffle drawing. Thank you to everyone in the community for your support and encouragement!
Important note from Tammy: The community can help the Phoenix Project by spreading the word about their work. Their tag line is, “A communities response to domestic violence.” They are well trained and ready to help. Never hesitate to call. You can make a difference.
Phoenix Project
Office: 540-635-2302
HOTLINE: 540-635-2300
The hotline is answered 24/7
Community Events
Annual Spring Bazaar at Skyline High School
The Skyline High School Community Based Instruction Program (CBI) is hosting the 2nd Annual CBI Spring Bazaar in the high school cafeteria, April 4th, from 9am – 2pm! There will be many vendors participating, ranging from arts & crafts, home-based businesses to concessions, SOUPS and more.
This event benefits the Skyline High School Community Based Instruction Program (CBI). The Skyline High School CBI is designed for students that need instruction in functional and daily living skills. Community Based Instruction is educational instruction in naturally occurring community environments providing students “real life experiences”. The goal is to provide a variety of hands on learning opportunities at all age levels to help students acquire the skills to live in the world today. This fundraiser helps to raise funds for activities, field trips, and the basics to keep this program running!
Community Events
Join the Rotary Safari Adventure 2020 Gala!
Join us for a Rotary Safari Adventure: May 9, 2020 | 6pm – 9pm | Lord Fairfax College – Corron Center
Experience a safari-themed mystery dinner with Rotary celebrating cultures around the world. This event raises money for the Warren County Samuels Public Library. Dress in a Safari theme or evening attire. Tickets can be purchased here or from any member of the Warren County Rotary Club. Tickets are $75 per guest for dinner and cash bar to include a silent auction, live auction, 50/50, music and dancing with DJ Skyhigh and surprises!
Community Events
The House of Hope presents Empty Bowl Supper 2020
Empty Bowl Supper 2020 – this is a family friendly event! Enjoy gourmet soups prepared and donated by several of our local restaurants. You don’t want to miss these delicious soups and fun entertainment to benefit the House of Hope. The event will be held Thursday, March 26, from 5pm to 7pm, at the Front Royal Fire Department.
The Bowls:
With your ticket purchase, take your pick of a variety of handcrafted beautiful bowls painted just for this special event! Use it for dinner and take it home to keep. This year we have had more groups and friends of the community than ever chip in and help paint bowls with Arline Link at The Kiln Doctor/Explore Art & Clay. Thank you!
Soups by:
- Soul Mountain
- VinoVa
- PaveMint
- The Mill
- Blue Wing Frog
- Blue Door
- The Apple House
- El Maguey
- Downtown Catering
- Osteria
Entertainment:
- MC for the night: Michael Williams of MDUM Chaufeur Service
- Live Music: Passage Creek Rising
- Maybe some face painting for kids!
- We will have themed baskets available too. Buy raffle tickets and have a chance to win your favorite!
Tickets:
- Tickets are available online through this Facebook event. You may also purchase at No Doubt Accounting or The Kiln Doctor.
- Last minute kind of person? No problem! Available at the door or call 540-636-6753.
- Adult Tickets $30.00 | Students $15.00 | Kids (6 & Under) $5
Empty Bowl Supper SPONSORSHIP:
GOLD $1,000 | SILVER $500 | BRONZE $250
We are looking for sponsors! This year we are offering an extra special benefit to GOLD sponsorship levels. A SPOTLIGHT VIDEO🎬! Jen Avery will come out and create a short video clip that will be played the night of the event and shared on social media. Really fun way to help bring awareness to both House of Hope and your business or cause.
“WE BELIEVE IN YOU!” – shout out 📣
All sponsorship levels are invited to be part of the inspiring “We Believe In You!” shout out video. This video will also be played the night of the event. In addition, Jen will bring the video to the House of Hope and show the men. What an awesome way to show community support and inspiration! Sometimes just to know someone cares is motivation enough.
Call Jen Avery, Jenspiration!, anytime to discuss: 540-683-0790
ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT THE HOUSE OF HOPE.
- The House of Hope is the only residential rehabilitation program serving men in Warren County, Virginia. Opening the door to hope and housing. Learn more here.
- House of Hope, a 501(c)(3) organization
- If you prefer to DONATE, click here.
Thank you for your support in any way! Please like our Facebook page to stay current on Empty Bowl Supper updates and sponsor shout-outs!
Jenspiration
Rotary Club of Warren County: Christa Shifflett presents a powerful new approach
Christa Shifflett, from the Warren Coalition, presented a program on Wednesday, in which she laid out the need for mentoring of students under a program that the Coalition has developed. Quite often, she pointed out, there is a residual effect when young people witness violence, abuse, or any number of other traumatic events, and this has a long term bearing on their development and life. Under this development, which she referred to as ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences), the trauma follows the child throughout his or her life. According to one study on rats, this effect is found in the genes. This means that the boy or girl could even have a reaction as a result of something a parent might have suffered, as well as abuse they may have suffered or witnessed.
One of the primary needs is for mentors for these children, who are about 11 years old. The mentors would meet with the child at lunch for about an hour, one day a week. These children may have been abused or have witnessed abuse. This has had a major effect on their development as they grew up, and has short circuited many of the developmental processes that would have occurred. She compared these children to groundhogs, who, when they pop up out of their holes, look around in all directions to sense danger and make sure they are safe. These children often do the same–they are constantly looking around, often standing with their back to the wall, not willing or able to sit still in their seats, constantly moving. This is because they don’t feel safe. But often this isn’t recognized and the kids are yelled at or sent to the principal. They don’t sit still because they are constantly looking out because they sense danger or they don’t feel safe, and they are punished.
Shifflett noted that studies of the brain at age 3 for children from a nourishing environment, and kids without that type of environment, have shown quite different development. But this is not only the case with children in school situations–she works in the jail two times a week, and can see the effects on these adults who have experienced the traumas as a child, with exactly the same situation and the same results.
These effects are real. Whether they are the result of heredity, or of childhood abuse or childhood trauma, it affects life choices, actions, and health. Shifflett pointed out that as adults, many have a life expectancy 20 years less than the average. This is why it is so important to reach out to these children (as well as the adults), to let them know that someone cares, by mentoring them and letting them know that they can have a better future. As she admitted, this was an hour and a half program in 20 minutes and this write-up only scratches the surface of her presentation.
For the complete program and to learn more about Rotary Club of Warren County, please go to www.warrrencountyrotary.org.
Jenspiration
Warren County Middle School Interact Club Induction Ceremony
On Tuesday, February 25, the Warren County Middle School had their Interact Club Induction Ceremony. Doug Stanley, Warren County Administrator and Club of Front Royal Rotarian, lead the ceremony by introducing the students. He noted that among these students will be tomorrow’s leaders, business professionals, doctors, lawyers and more. What a crew! Club of Front Royal President Brett Hrbek helped welcome the young Interact Club members by presenting the Interact pin with Stanley.
In conclusion, the students followed Stanley as he recited their pledge as official Interact Club members. They all promised to live by the Rotary code of conduct and remember the Rotary motto, Service Above Self. Watch the video to see the students in action:
Warren County Middle School Interact is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Front Royal, lead by teacher Jennifer Stanley.
Cute moment as Brett Hrbek pins the Interact pin on daughter Annie and steals a kiss.