NEWS!

SURVEY:
Will you take a moment to help us in collecting some information?  Please click on the link to a survey that asks you some very basic questions about Accessibility in Play.  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6YMWK6L

IEP TRAINING:
We will be hosting an IEP training presented by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities.  The training will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wilmington Nazarene Church.  We encourage all parents, caregivers, teachers, and administrator's to attend this training.  The topic is "Understanding and Writing IEP's".  This training is FREE and open to the public.  We just ask that you RSVP since we provide FREE childcare.  Please RSVP to littleheartsbigsmiles@yahoo.com or call 937-478-7738. 


Thank you to Makino for the $5,000 donation!

Astar Check Presentation

Astar presented us with a check for $6,464.00 to purchase two pieces of playground equipment.  Pictured in the photo are:  Front row, L to R - Kara Schulte, Sandy Waymeyer, Kiley Bergelt, Barry, Deirdre and Baylie Wulf,  Kathy Johnson and Melissa Cherwin
Back row L to R - Martin Godly, VP Operations Finance, Gary Hammes, SVP/COO, Larry Weigel.



Nov. 3, 2011 - We are moving dirt!  Melvin Asphalt and Melvin Stone will be finished with the parking lot in the next few weeks!  We are so excited about the progress that has been made.  We are roughly $50,000 from fully funding Phase 2.  Phase 1 playground equipment and ground surfacing has been purchased and will be installed in the spring.  If you would like to make a donation to Phase 2 please contact us about how you can help!  Checks can be mailed to
Little Hearts Big Smiles 
PO Box 548
 Wilmington, Ohio  45177

Thank you to Melvin Stone for donating 700 tons of gravel for the parking lot at the playground site!  That's nearly $6,000 worth of stone!  Also, thank you to Melvin Asphalt for the $1,500 donation!



Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Thank you to Bonnybrook Farms in Clarksville, Ohio for inviting our organization out to their farm for Fall Festival days.  We loved spending time together riding horses, playing clodhopper golf, painting pumpkins, going down the 80 foot slide, swinging and the wonderful wagon ride!  Thank you for a great Fall day!



Oktoberfest Check Presentation
 
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and the Oktoberfest Committee for the $11,376.25 donation.  Oktoberfest was a huge success and we thank everyone involved!  Pictured in photo:  Front Row: Ethan Gibson, Davis Wulf, Baylie Wulf, Emma Hall, Bella Albury, Orion Albury.  Second Row:  Deirdre Wulf, Clara Gibson, Ella Batton, Andrew Flanigan, Austin Flanigan.  Back Row:  Barry Wulf, Brei Wulf, Jenifer Gibson, Holly Batton, Rayna Albury, Chastity Flanigan, Alex Flanigan, Michael Flanigan and Bob Gomez.


Fire House Field Trip

A special thanks to the Clinton Warren Join Fire District for inviting our group out for Fire Safety Month.  The kids enjoyed touring the fire station and learing all about fire safety!


Emily's Outing
     
Thank you to Emily's Outing for choosing us as your charity.  The event raised $500.00!  We appreciate all who donated gift baskets and volunteered to make this a very fun event for the kids!

Happy 5th Birthday to Little Hearts Big Smiles!





Thank you so much to Lil' Party Hoppers for donating a bounce house for our celebration, St. Columbkille Catholic Church for buying the fried chicken, Kroger for donating supplies, Ace Hardware for the popcorn machine and fan,  and the Board of DD for the helium for our balloon launch.  Our 5 yr. celebration was a huge success!


Summer 2011 Donations!
July 2011 - A special thank you to Timber Tech for the $5,000 donation!

June 2011 - Thank you to the Wilmington AM Rotary for the $1,000 voting grant! 

May 2011 - Thank you to the Don Kline Memorial Foundation for a $5,000 donation!


A SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to the Phi Alpha Psi Sweethearts for hosting the 2nd Annual 5K.  They raised $1,200 for our charity and everyone had a great day together. 



THANK YOU!  To everyone who voted for Wilmington AM Rotary .  Results will be posted soon!

2nd Annual 5K Charity Walk/Run
Saturday, March 19, 2011

 Last year the Phi Alpha Psi Sweetheart sorority approached us with the idea to have a 5K as a fundraiser.  They offered to host the event at Wilmington College.  It was very successful and the Little Hearts Big Smiles families had a blast.  This year, we are hoping to double our turnout.  The 5K starts at 10:00 a.m. with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Boyd Auditorium on Wilmington College's campus.  Registration fees are $30.00 for adults, $10.00 for college age students and students age 13 and up.  12 years and under are free.  The event is accessible so wheelchairs/strollers/wagons and walkers are encouraged to attend.  Last year we had many families in attendance as this is a very fun family activity.  Please invite your friends and come out for a fun morning with Little Hearts Big Smiles and the Phi Alpha Psi Sweethearts.

5K 2010 - Some of our loyal supporters!


Some of our LHBS kiddos enjoying time together at the 2010 5K!


Some of our participants in the 2010 5K.
OKTOBERFEST SELECTION:
We are pleased to announce that the Wilmington Oktoberfest Committee has selected us as their charity for 2011 Oktoberfest.  This is quite an honor and we are going to be working very hard in the next few months to prepare.  We are needing many volunteers so if you are interested in volunteering please email us at littleheartsbigsmiles@yahoo.com .  We need 50 volunteers.  The dates for Oktoberfest are September 23 and 24th 2011.  For more information on Oktoberfest go to http://www.facebook.com/#!/wilmingtonoktoberfest .

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY DONATION:
   
The Wilmington Eagles Women's Auxiliary have presented a check to Little Hearts Big Smiles for the purchase of equipment for the playground in the amount of $1,319.00.  The Eagles also donated a periscope panel totalling $1,030.00 last fall.  "We are truly grateful for the support of local organizations such as the Eagles", says Barry Wulf, Little Hearts Big Smiles Board President. 

                                                                    

The Charles F. Fischer Society for Crippled Children is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to children in Clinton County who have medical, dental, hearing, vision, or mental health needs that are not met by the family’s health or dental insurance.  Charles F. Fischer was a well known Wilmington musician and poet who died in 1971 and left his estate to the children of Clinton County.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the Charles F. Fischer Society for Crippled Children Marsha Wagstaff, Mary Katheryn Hilberg, and Dr. Terry Holten present a check to Mrs. Holly Batton, co-founder of Little Hearts Big Smiles, in the amount of $2,285 for the purchase of a conical climber for the All Inclusive Playground.  

KAY BREWER DONATION:
       
Little Hearts Big Smiles President Barry Wulf accepts a check from Kay Frances Brewer for $1,000 for the playground fund.  Kay has generously donated a portion of her book sales for the playground.