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MATERIAL
SEPTEMBER
2007
- Chautauqua Scholarship Program (photo)
- Indianapolis Scholarship Student Sherry Amlung (article)
- IOKDS appears in Chautauqua daily (photo)
- 101st Texas Branch Convention (photos)
- News and Photos from the Tennessee Branch Convention (news and photos)
- April News from
the Purple Streak
CHRISTMAS 2006
INDIANAPOLIS SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT
A LIFE INFLUENCED BY THE KING'S DAUGHTERS AND SONS
The International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons has had a huge influence on my life. I didn’t realize how much of an influence until I began to write this article.
I joined the King’s Daughters when I was 10 years old. Ramona McCallister, who belonged to my church, and Lois Dillon started my circle of little girls in 1963. We met in their homes, and we called ourselves “The Loving Hearts.” I remember creating crafts, completing projects to help others and just generally having fun. I believe being a part of King’s Daughters gave me the basis for a strong desire to volunteer, and try to be a servant to others through out my life.
I went to King’s Daughters camp at McCormick’s Creek State Park in Indiana every year from the first year I joined through high school. I started out in the youngest cabin and worked my way up to the big girl’s cabin then ended up back in the little girl’s cabin as a counselor. The time I spent at camp was magic. Learning about trees, birds, flora, etc. was encouraged by the awarding of ribbons to be tied to each camper’s nametag upon the passing of oral tests. It was fun! One of my most cherished honors was when I was named runner up for the “Ideal Camper” award. I received a scholarship to attend camp the next year. I felt humbled and proud at the same time.
I was elected Junior Indiana State president when I was 14 or 15 and remained active through most of high school. I was encouraged by Lois and Ramona to apply for the Chautauqua Scholarship during my freshman year at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; and as a result, I won the scholarship. I made my very first airplane flight in 1971 to New York (all by myself) and spent six glorious weeks on the beautiful campus of Chautauqua, New York, during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years. It was an experience I will never forget.
I drifted away from the Order during and after college, but kept in touch with Ramona occasionally. Lois came back into my life when her church dissolved and joined with mine. She was liturgist one Sunday. When I saw her, I couldn’t wait to talk to her after the service. I recognized her immediately and it took only a moment for her to recognize me. I was all grown up and much older – she hadn’t changed a bit.
It feels funny to talk about myself, but it also feels good to remember the wonderful things that my association with King’s Daughters has given to me.
I now enjoy being a member of the Scholarship Circle, and look forward to future King’s Daughters experiences.
In His Name,
Sherry Amlung
Indianapolis, Indiana
IOKDS recently appeared in an issue of The Chautauqua Daily, the Chautauqua Institution's daily newspaper.
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101st Texas Branch Convention
Board Dinner - Stevie
Berg, State Corr. Sec, Judith Kimbrough, State Parliam., Connelle Peace,
N. Amer. Ind. Director.
Barbara Krase, Denton
Co. Rep, Donna Young, Dallas Co. Rep, and Frances Sellew.
Members of Victory Circle.
Members of Watch and
Work Circle.
Members of In His Name
Circle.
Frances Sellew presents
a certificate honoring the 120 years of service of First Circle of Paris,
TX. In March, 1887 (one year after the Order's founding), Mrs. Lizzie
Johnson of Paris, TX, met a Mrs. Kinney of NY during a short stopover
between train connections. As the ladies talked, Mrs. Kinney mentioned
the splendid work of The King's Daughters and Sons and its Circles of
Ten started in NYC by Margaret Bottome. Shortly afterwards, Mrs.Johnson
wrote Mrs. Bottome for permission to organize her Sunday School class
of ten young girls into First Circle. This Circle brought KD&S to
Texas and remains a vital force in the Paris community today. First Circle
is the oldest active Circle in the Order.
Shelley Mooney awards
Barbara Boulware the first Founder's Day Award in Texas.
Installation of Texas
Branch officers.
News and Photos from the Tennessee Branch Convention
The King's Daughters'
School
2006-07
Director's Report
The King's Daughters' School continues to serve children and adults with developmental disabilities. The past year has shown continued growth in programs and services.
The Center For Autism, which opened in January 2006, is now operating near capacity, serving severely autistic children in a residential setting.
KDS enrollment includes
50 preschoolers in the Early Learning Program, 81 residential students
in the school age and adult programs, and 19 residential students for
the Center For Autism. In addition, there are 7 day students. KDS students
come not only from all across Tennessee but
from 19 other states.
Milestones included
the retirement of Nancy Williamson, director of the Early Learning Program.
She continues as a circle member and representative on the school's board
of directors. Charlotte Battles, Executive Director for 24 years, announced
her retirement. On 1/1/07 she became Director Emeritus of the school.
A search committee was formed
and on 1/1/07 David Craig became the Executive Director of the school.
The school has been heavily involved in Special Olympics on the local, state, and national level, including having three staff members at the national softball tournament in Ames, Iowa. The school also sponsored local community sports programs for developmentally disabled students in bowling, basketball, and soccer.
The school enjoys
partnerships with several other schools and organizations. The five Circles
of the Maury County Union provide a variety of activities for the school.
The Knights of Columbus also provide activities. There is a partnership
with Columbia Academy, a local private Christian school, providing KDS
students with non-disabled peers. KDS serves as an observation and training
site for nursing
students from Tennessee Technology Center and for education students from
Columbia State Community College. The Center For Autism is an internship
site for occupational therapy students from Belmont University. Planning
is underway to also be an internship site for
Vanderbilt University.
The School received a Samsung Hope For Education grant in the amount of $60,000 for the purchase of technology equipment and software.
KDS has received approval to serve foreign students through the Department of Homeland Security Student Exchange and Visitor Program.
The Center For Autism received the 2006 Contractor Award of Excellence from the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.
Extensive renovations have been made to two of the residences on campus.
Report of the King's
Daughters Day Home, Madison TN
April 21, 2007
The King's Daughters Day Home in Madison broke ground in 1965 to benefit children whose working parents could not afford the fees of a typical private child care agency.
The facility is the only day care in the Madison area that bases their fees on a sliding scale based on the family's income. Many parents pay only $40 a week.
The beginning budget was roughly $112,000 and the first year of operations had a student enrollment of 3 and a staff of 5.
Forty-two years later, The Day Home operates on a half-million dollar budget, an enrollment of 57 - with a waiting list - and an incredible staff of 15.
Events of the last year included:
* The extension of
the federally funded "Read to Succeed" program.
* A grant from Metro/Nashville for new playground equipment.
* A grant to purchase 15 min 6 computers for the classrooms.
* And the 11th Annual Christmas party, sponsored by the Greater Nashville
Apartment Association where every child participated in a Santa's workshop,
heard 'Twas The Night Before Christmas from Mrs. Claus, got their picture
taken with Santa and received a back pack, books, crayons, toys, sweat
suit, hat, gloves and a 12-lb turkey with all the sides, to take home
to Mom and Dad for Christmas supper.
Director Candyee Goode, has been selected to lead a group that will teach female inmates better child care skills - this along with the prisoner's own child. This program hopes to improve parenting skills while strengthening the bonds between mother and child.
A room in the home has been dedicated to the Madison Circle members, past and present. It has been painted, beautifully furnished and filled with Memorabilia dating back to the early part of the 20th century.
Although the home is partially funded by the United Way, their annual contributions continue to decline. This means income must occur through creative fundraising efforts like the fashion show and the art show and also corporate and private donations.
A most unusual source of income came when a cat- who was the sole benefactor of its owner's estate - passed away in 2006. Although truly saddened for the cat's death, tears turned to tears of joy. You see, the cat named The King's Daughters Day Home in his will and left a generous gift of $75,000.
Missouri Branch pushes for members
"Seven Plus One"
is the Missouri Branch 2007 Convention Theme. The International King's
Daughters and Sons is conducting a membership drive. Its goal is 1,000
new members in the year. Missouri wants to do her part. Percentage-wise,
it means Missouri needs 131 new members in 2007. If your Circle grows
by one new member for every seven (or fraction thereof) of its 2006 membership,
it will be recognized at the 2007 Branch Convention with a Certificate
of Achievement and the Branch will make a $25 donation to an International
Scholarship Program in the
Circle's honor.
We have six full months
left to achieve our goal! Start issuing
invitations to friends and neighbors today.
IOKDS TENNESSEE
BRANCH CONVENTION
April 20-21. 2007
Report of The King's Daughters and Sons Home
In October 2006, The King's Daughters and Sons Home celebrated its second year in its new home in Bartlett, TN. It has been a great year for all the residents and staff of the Home. This community has not only accepted them without reservation but has repeatedly displayed truly "open arms" in many ways. The Home has become the 10th largest employer in Bartlett.
Several churches have come to entertain with singing and visitation. One of the ladies in the Outreach Circle is a teacher at Applingway Middle School, just down the street, and each Monday she brought one of her classes to help residents play Bingo and visit with others in their rooms. Bartlett United Methodist Church youth have included several hours of physical help when they had their 30-hour lock-in sleepover and Fast. They served popcorn one evening (and they could not eat any) and played games. The next day they served pizza (not eating any) and did clean-up around the home. United Way had a Volunteer Day and employees from International Paper came and washed windows, cleaned wheelchairs, dusted railings, cleaned up the outside drives and lawn and had a ballgame with residents and King's Daughters participating. The ladies in the Activities Department have taken some residents out to eat at Cracker Barrel several times and were welcomed by staff and the mayor, who was also eating there.
The Fourth of July found many residents enjoying the fireworks and roaming through the games and display booths in the park. Other activities included facials from a Mary Kay volunteer, fishing, visits from family and friends, some of whom brought pets and, as a result of the interaction, two family members have joined KDS Circles.
CNA Ms Evelyn Jones, was honored in Nashville at the THCA Convention as "Caregiver of the Year for the State of Tennessee". A presentation was made with gifts and congratulations. Mayor of Bartlett Keith McDonald, attended a talent show for residents and employees.
As expected in a nursing home, residents were lost and hearts have been very heavy. Several long time residents passed away as did beloved dietician, Ms Leona Brown. We were fortunate to find Andrew Thompson as Director of Food Services.
The King's Daughters and Sons continue to support the Home and residents by volunteering and with their donations. Outside donations and bequests have allowed the Home to implement several new programs, such as provision of bed-hold days, dental and vision services, and new dining equipment. In return, a need was felt to help others and five $1,000 donations have been given to community projects and to the King's Daughters and Sons Scholarship program.
(This report was submitted by Barbara Bernardini, Home Board President)
Lyndall Jones received her 50 year pin.
Terry Pearson and Frances Sellew in front of commemorative plaque at The King's Daughters and Sons Home in Bartlett, TN.
Outgoing 1st Vice President Martha Boone and Terry Pearson. Martha has been a longtime champion of the Chautauqua Scholarship Program, and has recruited many students.
Branch President Terry Pearson.
APRIL NEWS FROM THE PURPLE STREAK
Student Ministry Scholarship: As of December 2006, the Indiana Branch had contributed $500 to the Department and therefore is entitled to name a scholarship in honor or memory of someone. The board at its spring meeting voted to name the scholarship in honor of Hazel Kemper.
IOKDS Memorial Scholarship: A contribution of $50 was approved by the Board toward funding an IOKDS Memorial Scholarship for the fomer IOKDS President Eunice Penner who recently passed away.
Chautauqua Scholarship: Also approved by the Board was a contribution of $50 toward an IOKDS fund for a Chautauqua Scholarship in honor of Liz Wilson, past Chautauqua Building Committee Chairperson.
Chautauqua Housing Committee: The Board approved a contribution of $100 from the Indiana Room fund, to be made to the Chautauqua Housing Committee to replace mattress covers and pillows at Benedict, Bonnie, and Florence Hall.
Chautauqua
Scholarship
Program
Information
on the Program and how to apply.
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