On Tuesday the Center enjoyed a violin concert by Michelle Turner and her grandmother Laura Hawkins. Michelle is a friend of Laura Hedgecock, one of our staff. These lovely ladies were gracious enough to come and share their talents with us. The staff and students alike were blessed by Michelle and Laura's selections of carols and seasonal music.
Thank you so much for coming. The pictures below tell the story:
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Center Christmas Party
Well, the Center has been enjoying the Christmas season for a couple of weeks now. However, today was the day they were all looking forward to. Karen Tucker of Karen Tucker Catering provided cake, cookies, chips, sandwiches, and punch for all of us. She is so thoughtful that she even made a yummy sugar free cake for the diabetics that we have attending the Center. Karen's group also provided gifts for each student that Santa passed out to everyone's delight.
Maddie Allen, 11 year old daughter of Josh and Mo Allen, played Christmas Carols for us during the party. She also blessed our hearts with her sweet voice during a solo performance. Even Santa was impressed with this young lady's talents and told her so when he gave her a gift.
Our students were so glad to see Santa that they nearly knocked him over when he came in ringing his bells and shouting, "HO, HO, HO!" It's a good thing Santa is a big fella. He called each student by name and checked his list for those that were good or bad. Not that a Smith Center student could possibly be on his bad list, surely not.
I know all the staff and students thoroughly enjoyed this special event and our Christmas celebrations here at the Smith Center. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Pictures:
Maddie Allen, 11 year old daughter of Josh and Mo Allen, played Christmas Carols for us during the party. She also blessed our hearts with her sweet voice during a solo performance. Even Santa was impressed with this young lady's talents and told her so when he gave her a gift.
Our students were so glad to see Santa that they nearly knocked him over when he came in ringing his bells and shouting, "HO, HO, HO!" It's a good thing Santa is a big fella. He called each student by name and checked his list for those that were good or bad. Not that a Smith Center student could possibly be on his bad list, surely not.
I know all the staff and students thoroughly enjoyed this special event and our Christmas celebrations here at the Smith Center. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Pictures:
Residential Christmas Party
On Tuesday night, December 21st, the Residential Program was treated to supper and a couple dressed in red. Sgt. Jeremy Edwards of the Army National Guard at Fort Taylor Hardin in Montgomery, along with others in his office provided two generous gifts for each of the residents in our group home program. Santa and Mrs. Santa dropped by, even though this is their busiest time of year, to spend some time with our folks. Several of our resident's parents were able to attend the party as well. We want to thank all those who went out of their way to brighten the hearts of our residents. You truly blessed us with your thoughtfulness.
Check out the fun:
Check out the fun:
Paper, Paper, and More Paper
Thank you International Paper, Selma for your donation of 40 cases of paper. Karen Tucker did the leg work for the donation in behalf of the Center. Thanks to Karen as well. We use about 4 cases of paper about every 5 weeks, so this will last us several months.
Look at all the paper:
Look at all the paper:
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| From IP Paper Donation |
Monday, December 20, 2010
Dancing with the Nicholson's
Josh Shearon, a Center participant, introduced his grandparents who had come to provide music for Christmas dancing. Ruby and Wayne Nicholson of Montgomery have come several times to entertain at the Center. Back in the spring they brought a "Square" of dancers for our Smith Center community days. These square dancers are a part of the Prattville Promenaders and Wayne is their caller. However, today Wayne and Ruby performed solo. After their solo exhibition dance Wayne invited the center individuals to dance while he played several favorite Christmas songs.
Our folks thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they danced by themselves and as couples. Some sat and clapped while others were dancing to the cheerful, happy music. Smiles were abundant as they shared this time with the Nicholson's. To wrap it all up Mr. Nicholson had them get in a circle and they danced the "Hokey Pokey." What if the Hokey Pokey was what it's all about? Just asking..... A beautiful instrumental of Amazing Grace was played as the hour ended and the Center individuals thanked Ruby and Wayne for coming. Wayne encouraged everyone to be good, have a Merry Christmas, and be sure to leave cookies for Santa.
Pictures below:
Our folks thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they danced by themselves and as couples. Some sat and clapped while others were dancing to the cheerful, happy music. Smiles were abundant as they shared this time with the Nicholson's. To wrap it all up Mr. Nicholson had them get in a circle and they danced the "Hokey Pokey." What if the Hokey Pokey was what it's all about? Just asking..... A beautiful instrumental of Amazing Grace was played as the hour ended and the Center individuals thanked Ruby and Wayne for coming. Wayne encouraged everyone to be good, have a Merry Christmas, and be sure to leave cookies for Santa.
Pictures below:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Civitan Christmas Lunch
The Prattville Civitans provided lunch today for the Smith Center participants and staff. The festive table decorations done by staff and civitans added just the right touch to a wonderful lunch of sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fresh fruit and vegetables, chips and dip, ham and cheese, a refreshing punch, and delicious desserts. The Civitans graciously served the students and were so kind and helpful as they fixed plates for everyone. Staff were also on hand to give out plates and punch.
Members of the Prattville Community Chorus entertained us with beautiful renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Some of our individuals joined in on the songs they knew...and even some they didn't, but that was part of the fun.
The Civitans' Santa gave presents to all the students and staff present with a "Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Christmas to all." A check for $1,000 topped off the event.
Civitans we love you, thank you for blessing our Center in this special way. May you all be blessed as you blessed us today and have blessed us over the years.
Pictures below:
Members of the Prattville Community Chorus entertained us with beautiful renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Some of our individuals joined in on the songs they knew...and even some they didn't, but that was part of the fun.
The Civitans' Santa gave presents to all the students and staff present with a "Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Christmas to all." A check for $1,000 topped off the event.
Civitans we love you, thank you for blessing our Center in this special way. May you all be blessed as you blessed us today and have blessed us over the years.
Pictures below:
Spiritual Luncheon
Pastor Kent Crockett and Worship Leader Lewies Van der Mere led the staff and participants of the Smith Center in a spiritual luncheon on Thursday, December 16th as part of the Christmas Festivities at the Center. Pastor Crockett challenged us to remember what was important about the Christmas season and Lewies played the keyboard and led the students in singing a few songs. Everyone enjoyed the event and we thank these two men for sharing their day with us. Take a look at the pictures:
Computers for the Smith Center
What a blessing! The Couples IV Sunday School Class from Camellia Baptist Church has donated 8 computers for our classrooms. Lester Compton delivered them to the Center today and had his picture made with several of our folks. The Sunday School Class gave money to purchase new hard drives for the donated computers. Each computer came with a flat screen monitor, keyboard, and a mouse. Please look at the slideshow below.
Computers open the doors of learning in the lives of students with disabilities. Individuals who have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and penmanship all benefit from the use of a computer. With the computer technology available today, students with disabilities can successfully learn academics in a way tailored to their needs.
Computers open the doors of learning in the lives of students with disabilities. Individuals who have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and penmanship all benefit from the use of a computer. With the computer technology available today, students with disabilities can successfully learn academics in a way tailored to their needs.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Some Christmas Activities at the Smith Center
The Smith Center is decked with Christmas wreaths, trees, and door decorations. First United Methodist gave several beautiful poinsettias, some for the residential homes and the Center. It has been really cold and windy outside, but the Center is full of warmth and cheer. Individuals are excited about the season and the various activities here at the Center.
On December the 6th one of our parents, Linda Cooper, came with a few friends and helped our folks make ornaments. Trees, wreaths, icicles, and candy canes now adorn the tree in our dining hall. We thank these ladies for being so generous with their time and talents. Our individuals were so proud of their handiwork. They will take these ornaments home with them on 23rd to put on their trees at home.
On Tuesday, the 14th, the 2nd graders from Prattville Christian Academy came and sang several Christmas songs for all of us. What a joy to have these precious children come and share their Christmas spirit with us. They also brought Christmas cards that they had made to share with the Center. There are some very talented artists in this group. We so appreciate them coming to sing for us. They were so well behaved and their smiles and energy were contagious.
As I was typing this post a mother and son from Boy Scout Troop 25 brought in a big box of mixed fruit. Some kind person had purchased the box and gave instructions for it to be given to a charitable group. Yeah, fruit will be given out tomorrow to all who want it.
The 15th and 16th will be busy as our classes go shopping for gifts to exchange with each other. Also, on the 16th Pastor Crockett from The Church of Living Water will speak at a spiritual luncheon here. On the 17th the Civitans will bring goodies for individuals and staff. The Prattville Service League has provided goody bags for each participant and these will be given out soon.
Pictures about some of these activities below. Check the blog again on the 23rd for more activities.
Below are pictures of the December Birthday party and ornament making:
Below are pictures of some individuals and of PCA 2nd grade singers:
On December the 6th one of our parents, Linda Cooper, came with a few friends and helped our folks make ornaments. Trees, wreaths, icicles, and candy canes now adorn the tree in our dining hall. We thank these ladies for being so generous with their time and talents. Our individuals were so proud of their handiwork. They will take these ornaments home with them on 23rd to put on their trees at home.
On Tuesday, the 14th, the 2nd graders from Prattville Christian Academy came and sang several Christmas songs for all of us. What a joy to have these precious children come and share their Christmas spirit with us. They also brought Christmas cards that they had made to share with the Center. There are some very talented artists in this group. We so appreciate them coming to sing for us. They were so well behaved and their smiles and energy were contagious.
As I was typing this post a mother and son from Boy Scout Troop 25 brought in a big box of mixed fruit. Some kind person had purchased the box and gave instructions for it to be given to a charitable group. Yeah, fruit will be given out tomorrow to all who want it.
The 15th and 16th will be busy as our classes go shopping for gifts to exchange with each other. Also, on the 16th Pastor Crockett from The Church of Living Water will speak at a spiritual luncheon here. On the 17th the Civitans will bring goodies for individuals and staff. The Prattville Service League has provided goody bags for each participant and these will be given out soon.
Pictures about some of these activities below. Check the blog again on the 23rd for more activities.
Below are pictures of the December Birthday party and ornament making:
Below are pictures of some individuals and of PCA 2nd grade singers:
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