April 11 Hands & Voices Chapter Meeting

FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK:

Due to the winter weather we experienced in February we have re-scheduled the statewide chapter meeting to April 11, 2015 from 10:00 until 2:00.  We welcome all families of children who are Deaf/or Hard of Hearing and professionals to the meeting.  The event will be held in the East Campus building at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  We have stipends of $50 to offer to those that are traveling more than 50 miles to attend the meeting in order to assist with travel expenses.  The central and northwest Arkansas meetings have been combined to one statewide chapter meeting.  Childcare will be available.  Please register by April 7, 2015 by texting/calling 501-932-7700 or emailing info@arhandsandvoices.org.  Please refer to the event flyer for additional information.

We would also like to remind everyone to please register with the Kroger Community Rewards program.  After you register and link your Kroger card to Soundstart Arkansas Hands & Voices you will be earning free money for the organization every time you shop.  Nothing will be deducted from your personal Kroger rewards.  We will have a drawing for a $25 Kroger gift card during the statewide meeting.  In order to be eligible for the drawing, bring a Kroger receipt with you to the meeting that lists Soundstart Arkansas Hands & Voices as your community reward program at the bottom or sign up at the meeting.  Please refer to the enclosed flyer for additional information.

We would also like to encourage everyone to sign up/renew membership in Arkansas Hands & Voices.  Having up to date contact information is important in passing along information related to upcoming events, etc.  If you choose to be a paying member, know your membership dues help support the events put on throughout the year.  You will also receive the newsletter distributed by the Hands & Voices Headquarters staff.  If the membership dues are burdensome to your family, we completely understand and would like for you to check scholarship and know that we still want to have your contact information in order to keep your family informed about upcoming events, etc.  The membership flyer is below. If you would like a flyer mailed to you, click the link above. 

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you guys in April!!

Debra Butler

President of Arkansas Hands & Voices & the Arkansas Hands & Voices Board

YDHAT 4TH ANNUAL TRAIN RIDE IS COMING UP SOON

It's time to Ride that Train Again! 

Yeah!!! That's Right!!

 It's time for the Annual YDHAT Train Ride set to chug the tracks for the 4th year in a row starting on Saturday May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2015!!

So, kids get out your tunnel strobe lights, glow sticks and lets do it again!!! Choo!! Choo!!

SPRINGDALE TO VAN BUREN-SATURDAY MAY 2, 2015

The YDHAT 4th Annual Train Ride will start Saturday May 2 at 8:00 am-4:30 pm. This ride will leave Springdale and journey to Van Buren with a 2 hour layover for shopping, lunch and sight-seeing. Kids always love the pretentious Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory and Ice cream store among other favorites. This exursion will leave at 8am and we want everyone to be in attendance before 7:15am to pay the $15 fee and load up.

(Seating Limit:20)

SPRINGDALE TO WINSLOW-SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015

 For families that want a shorter and relaxed ride, come on Sunday May 3 at 4pm-6:30pm to enjoy a lazy afternoon ride to Winslow. This ride will be packed with fun, snacks and goodybags of glow sticks and exciting strobe lights (No Whistles this time kids, the Train does enough of that). Please arrive by 3:15 and pay $10 to load up before 4pm.

(Seating Limit 40)

Please email ydhateam@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

YDHAT is still needing Volunteers & Sponsors to assist with the planning for the train ride.

Let's Ride that Train Yall!

Come on!

Hands & Voices Chapter Meeting Feb 21

A MESSAGE FROM DEBRA BUTLER, PRESIDENT OF ARKANSAS HANDS & VOICES:

 

Hello Arkansas Hands & Voices,

 

We would like to welcome all families of children who are Deaf/or Hard of Hearing and professionals to the statewide Arkansas Hands & Voices chapter meeting.  The meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2015 from 10:00 until 2:00 in the East Campus building at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  This year we have combined the central and northwest Arkansas meetings to host one statewide chapter meeting.  We are excited to host two speakers from Hands & Voices Headquarters, Stephanie Olson and Lisa Kovacs.  Stipends of $50 will be available to those traveling more than fifty miles to attend the meeting in order to assist with travel expenses.  Childcare will be available.  Please register by February 13, 2015 by texting/calling 501-932-7700 or emailing info@arhandsandvoices.org.  Please refer to the event flyer for additional information. 

 

We would also like to encourage everyone to register with the Kroger Community Rewards program.  After you register/link your Kroger card to Soundstart Arkansas Hands & Voices you will be earning free money for the organization every time you shop.  Nothing is deducted from your personal Kroger rewards.  We will have a drawing for a $25 Kroger gift card during the statewide meeting.  In order to be eligible for the drawing, bring in a Kroger receipt that lists Soundstart Arkansas Hands & Voices as your Community Reward program at the bottom of your receipt or sign up at the meeting.  Please refer to enclosed flyer for additional information. 

 

Arkansas Hands & Voices is excited to announce Liana Robbins as the new Chapter Coordinator/Executive Director.  Liana brings a strong support of the unbiased philosophy of Hands &Voices that will be beneficial to all Arkansas members.  She will help us further our organizational goals (e.g., strategic planning and outreach efforts).  Liana lives in Farmington, AR with her husband Trey and two daughters Olivia (8) and Lily (3).  Lily was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss after failing her newborn hearing screen, and she now has bilateral cochlear implants.  Liana has nine years of experience working with non-profit organizations and various government agencies.  

 

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you guys in February!! 

 

Debra Butler

President of Arkansas Hands & Voices & the Arkansas Hands & Voices Board

 

(If anyone from NWA, is interested in Carpooling, please email me so I can share with others who would be willing to carpool together to the event)

4th Annual Train Ride Volunteer Team Needed

IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME AGAIN!
(Well in 3-4 months actually)

The 4th Annual YDHAT Train Ride will be taking place again this Spring. However, before the big weekend arrive, we are in need of volunteers.

YDHAT could use some helpers and planners to make sure the transition goes smooth.

If you are interested in helping with planning and doing more volunteering with young children with Hearing Loss, please join us. Email me at ydhateam@yahoo.com

Don't forget to join us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ydhateam/

Arkansas Hands & Voices Chapter Meeting Feb 21, 2015

Save the date for the statewide Arkansas Hands & Voices family/chapter meeting Saturday February 21st, 2015.  More details coming up later.

For more information about Arkansas Hands & Voices, please visit their website at:  http://www.arhandsandvoices.org/index.html

or visit Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasHandsandVoices