Thanksgiving Feast at the Smith Center

Turkey, dressing, and gravy, green beans, sweet potato casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, and almost any kind of pie or cake you can think of...that's what we had for lunch today. Yum! Karen Tucker Catering once again blessed our hearts and tummies with her wonderful gift of food and service to the Smith Center. This event is one of our biggest highlights of the year.

The Senior Youth Group from St. Joseph's Catholic Church was on hand as well to help fix plates and serve the individuals who attend the Center. Our staff had the dining room and lobby area decorated with fall colors and turkeys adding to the festive feel of the day. Most of us ate too much and our work may have suffered a bit during the afternoon, but don't tell anyone!

Check out the slideshow for all the festivities:

Selflessness of 8 year old benefits the Smith Center

The Smith Center was blessed and humbled by the actions of 8 year old Ford Carter. Ford’s birthday invitations included a wish list published by the Smith Center. He told those invited that if they wanted to give him a present, please choose something off the wish list for the Center. His mother, Colbi and Aunt Ann Shackleford brought Ford and all his gifts to the Center today. Staff and center participants were very surprised by Ford’s gifts, but are truly thankful that this young man cares about people with disabilities. His family has done a wonderful job teaching compassion to this youngster. Autaugaville Methodist Church also sent donations with Ford, as well as a monetary donation in Ford’s name by Anna Belle and Rufus Pearson. The Smith Center is very appreciative and thankful to all who have contributed in our “Wish List” effort. Ford is the son of Dr. Lee and Colbi Carter of Autaugaville.

From Donations by Ford Carter

Things we need!

10--Desk top computers with minimum of: XP operating system, 512 MB or greater RAM, 20 gi hard drive, Pentium 4 chip.

Basic GPS
Used passenger van in good condition
Used car in good condition
Tempra paint in different colors
Canvas/sketch paper
Water Color paper
Pens, black, blue, and red
Pencils
Construction Paper/all colors
10W 30 & 5W 20 Castrol Oil for buses
Copy/printer paper
Dish detergent
Weed Eater
Paper rolls--all colors
Craft paper
Borders for bulletin boards
Water Color Crayons
Board Games--any kind
5 x 7 index cards
Twin plastic mattress covers
Dry erase boards
Paint brushes
Paint bowls
Glitter
Dough cutters
Modeling Clay
Beads
Pipe Cleaners
Buttons
Play money-coins & bills
Clorox wipes
Keenex
Hand Sanitizer
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Plastic Spoons
Plastic Forks
Baby wipes
Band-Aids
4 x 4 Gauze
Medical Tape
8-tab page dividers
White 2" binders
White 1" binders
3 oz disposable cups (bathroom cups)
Yellow Highlighters
Gallon Freezer Bags (Zip kind)
Laundry Detergent

Eagle Scout Project

On Saturday, October 30th, Joseph Black made wonderful improvements here at the Smith Center. Joseph choose the Center as his Eagle Scout Project. He and his army of assistants painted the dining area, a classroom, washed windows, built wheel-chair accessible picnic tables, trimmed bushes, planted flowers in the front area of the Center, and pressure washed sidewalks.

Our individuals and staff were so pleased to come in and see all the changes on Monday morning. Thank you so much Joseph and all your helpers. You have truly blessed the Center with your hard work.

Check out the slideshow on activity on the 30th:

BOO!

The Smith Center individuals have had lots of fun decorating classrooms for Halloween, especially the doors. Some of them get really excited about dressing up in costumes, but others prefer just to enjoy looking at the ones that do choose to go all out for the day.

Some of the classrooms decided to ban together for a Halloween lunch and the Center smells really good with all the food aromas filling the air. Later on in the afternoon it will be Piñata time...careful instructors don't get in the way of all the candy falling!!

Check out below for pictures: