New A Better Life for Kids Video

Ms. Nizynski is in Ghana right now!  Check out the most recent video from A Better Life for Kids.  It's amazing how much $35 a month can do!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Stj5sCcKk

Good News Skokie!

Thanks to Ms. Laura Williams for shouting out the good news of what McCracken students are doing to help others!

http://www.goodnewsskokie.com/mccracken-middle-school-challenges-selflessness-in-students/

Congratulations and Thank You!

Congratulations and thanks to Patrick Nyarko!  This past weekend he won the Supporter's Player of the Year from Section 8, a  volunteer non-profit for the Chicago Fire.  With this honor came a check for $1500 to the charity of his choice.  As you can see in the picture above, he chose A Better Life for Kids for this honor.  We so appreciate Patrick's support so far, and are looking forward to more things to come!  Stay tuned!

$1058.94- That's a lot of spaghetti!

A big thanks goes out to all of the district 73.5 community for their support on Friday night at the A.C.T. Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle for A Better Life for Kids.  The event raised $1058.94!  Thank you to all parents, board members, teachers, and students who attended this great night.  We would also like to thank Organic Life for their donation of food, along with Patrick Nyarko of the Chicago Fire, Michael Ciok of Grand Appliance, Rachael Lamka of Thirty-One, Jen Guzaldo of Tupperware, Maryanna Gibbs, an independent yoga consultant, and Desserts by Maggie for their generous raffle prize donations.  Congratulations to all the families who won prizes!  We appreciate your continued support of our efforts!

See the next post for pictures from this great event!

Spaghetti Dinner and a Show!

The first annual Spaghetti Dinner and a Show was a rousing success!  About 150 people came to the event from all three schools, along with many past and present A.C.T. members.  Even the NNHS Dance Marathon Committee came to show their support.  Everyone enjoyed two types of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad donated by Organic Life.  Check out of the many pictures taken of the evening, and thanks to all the people who donated their time, items, and money to make this evening a wonderful one.  We will be posting the amount of money donated on Monday!

Selling A.C.T. items!

Getting ready for the raffle!  Thanks to all that donated items!

Ticket sales!

Waiting for food is the toughest part!

It was a family affair!

Former A.C.T. members came back for the night!  It was great to see them!

Ms. Nizynski and Ms. Ciok

Happy eating!

Mmmmm.... pasta!

More high schoolers back for the night!

Thanks to all the families that came out to support the cause!

Mr. Lee and Ms. Ross... love the hairnet Mr. Lee!

The pasta was good!

The sweater was perfect for the night!

The Ciok family arrives!

Ms. Ciok's kids get a ride to the cafeteria!

The reason we're all here tonight!

Discussing how many tickets?

Love the goofiness!

Thanks to the board members who came out to support the cause!

Thanks to the teachers who support our cause!

Happy eating!

Getting ready for the show?

Middleton, Meyer and McCracken families out for the night!

Thanks to Ms. Sidman and Ms. Eysenbach for running the show in the cafeteria!

More familes, more fun!

Ms. Ciok's daughter lost her tooth!

Joining hands for a cause!

Our photographer has her photo taken!

Niles North Dance Marathon students joined us too!

Future A.C.T. members?

Thanks Organic Life for the donation of food!

Ms. Fischer and Trisha, a former A.C.T. member

An A.C.T. member enjoys dinner with his family.

More fun!

Love all the happy faces!

More dance marathon high schoolers!  Thanks for supporting our cause!

Students watch the video to learn more about A Better Life for Kids.

Who won the big raffle prizes??
Thanks to Grand Appliance, Rachael Lamka of 31, Jen Guzaldo of Tupperware, Patrick Nyarko of the Chicago Fire, Yoga Instructor-Maryanna Gibbs, Desserts by Maggie, and Shelley Nizynski for donating items for the raffle! 

Lunch with Chicago Fire's, Patrick Nyarko

On November 12th, Ms. Nizynski and Ms. Ciok had lunch with Patrick Nyarko to discuss the work being accomplished by A.C.T. and A Better Life for Kids, along with how he and other players could help extend our efforts.  It was a great session, with many connections made.  Keep a lookout for what Patrick is doing to help make sure all kids have the rights they deserve!

Another donation arrives!

Thirty-One Bags!

Look at these cute thirty-one bags that will be raffled off on November 16th!  There is a utility organizer, thermal tote, and a wristlet!  Such a great donation thanks to Rachael Lamka!

Spaghetti Dinner and More Donations!

Look for the flyer for the upcoming spaghetti dinner!  It went home with students today!

Also, the tupperware donation arrived today.  Thanks again to Jen Guzaldo for her generous donation!  Retail value is over $60!

Spaghetti Dinner and Guys and Dolls!

Look what came in the mail today!

Check out the first item to be raffled off on November 16th at the spaghetti dinner!

Thanks to Patrick Nyarko and the rest of the Chicago Fire players for signing this jersey and donating it to our raffle!

On November 16th, at 5 pm, we will be hosting our first A.C.T. event to raise money for A Better Life for Kids.  The spaghetti dinner will take place from 5 till 6:45, right before the first evening performance of Guys and Dolls.  We are hoping that you will make it an evening and attend both the dinner and the play at a discounted rate.  The dinner will be $5 a person, featuring food by Organic Life.  We will have pasta, salad and bread for all to feast upon.  

Thanks again for your continued support!  More detailed information coming soon!

Pack It Purple!

Friday, October 12th, is the first Pack it Purple game for Ghana!  Cheer on the varsity girls, donate a dollar, and know that you are making a difference in the lives of children!  We will also be having an A.C.T. meeting that afternoon, so come be a part of that too!

Update:  The game made $113!  Great job to all the 8th grade advisories who were involved in this great event!  Thanks to all the students who came out to support A Better Life for Kids and the girl's volleyball team!

Chicago Fire Connection!

Thanks to one of the students at McCracken, we now have a connection to the Chicago Fire Soccer Team!  Chris and his dad contacted Patrick Nyarko, a starting forward for the Chicago Fire, to see if he would be willing to help with our fundraising efforts, and I'm pleased to say that he is.

This is Patrick's fifth season playing for the Chicago Fire.  He is from Kumasi, Ghana, and is very excited to help in whatever way he can.  Be on the lookout for upcoming events where he will be making an appearance!

$736 already!

$736; and it's not even October yet!  We are starting off on a great footing for two reasons.  First of all, after a reading of Among the Hidden for our summer read, the All School Read committee decided that $100 should be donated to the A.C.T. to help children who are often "hidden" from society, like those with deafness in Ghana.

Secondly, Ben, an A.C.T. member and 8th grader this year, decided that as part of his bar mitzvah he would raise money for A.C.T and A Better Life For Kids.  He raised some money last year by selling A.C.T. merchandise and educating  people at his synagogue about the orphanage in Ghana.  Then, over the summer, he continued to raise money and donated some of his own, bring his total for this year up to $636!  He presented the check to us at the meeting today.  Great job Ben, and thank you for your wonderful work!

I am so excited about the amount of kids who came out today to join A.C.T.  We have 6th, 7th, and 8th graders ready and willing to raise money for this wonderful cause!

Another year begins...

We're excited for another year to begin for our A.C.T. committee!  We will be working hard on a variety of projects for A Better Life for Kids, and also closer to home, for Rustic Falls Nature Center.

Ms. Nizynski visited Ghana over the summer, and reported back that our money was put to great use starting a clinic over there, along with buying necessary supplies to keep people alive.  Here are some pictures, along with an excerpt from A Better Life for Kids' upcoming newsletter!

Ms. Nizynski interviewing a patient.

Ms. Nizynski giving medicine to a small child.

Dr. Reese listens to a child's heart.

Dr. Reese talks to a patient.

Dr. Reese reassures a small child.

One of the huts where the families live.

Sun lamps for the sponsored students so they can do their homework at night!

The babies' cribs

A sleeping baby

Shelley with the students who are deaf, whose education is sponsored by A Better Life for Kids

This is Beatrice an adorable three year old little girl who has been living at an orphanage since she was just one day old. Her mother died immediately after childbirth and her father was a poor farmer who could not care for her. In addition to providing Beatrice with baby formula, nutritious food, and medicine through A Better Life for Kids, we believe that the relationships we are building with her will significantly impact her life. When visiting Ghana twice a year, Shelley makes it a priority to spend time with Beatrice because she seems especially detached and lonely. Our ongoing visits are essential in showing her that she is loved.  We believe that by developing a connection with us, she will be able to build relationships with others in the future.  For Beatrice and children like her, activities like blowing bubbles together and playing with balloons, opens the door to the beginning of relationship building. 

This is Ashatu, a beautiful little girl who was brought to the orphanage two years ago after losing her hearing due to complications from meningitis.  Meningitis is a deathly disease and is the most common cause of deafness in children in Ghana.  Children who survive often lose their hearing as a result of the illness or treatment.  All physical and mental disabilities, including deafness, are highly stigmatized in Ghana.  Rejected by her mother because of her deafness, Ashatu longs for acceptance and is confused as to why her world suddenly changed.  She is the youngest child A Better Life for Kids sponsors to attend Kibi Boarding School for the Deaf. 

When on breaks from school Ashatu predominately lives at an orphanage.  However, her great-aunt occasionally allows Ashatu to come spend some weekends with her.  This relative is elderly and extremely poor.  We learned from close friends that while at the market, this woman was only able to afford to buy a rotten tomato.  This was so sad to learn and we realized the importance of providing support beyond Ashatu's educational needs.  We believe that it is important to provide assistance for Ashatu's great-aunt, because it is invaluable for Ashatu to receive love and care, especially at her young age.  We decided to provide food support for her, when Ashatu is on breaks from school, to help their quality of life and to reinforce her efforts to build a relationship with Ashatu.  Since A Better Life for Kids is dedicated to keeping families connected when possible, we feel fortunate to be able to help in this way.

Ms. Nizynski and her husband, Brent, at the market

Excerpt from the upcoming newsletter:

Summer 2012 Trip to Ghana

A Better Life for Kids was honored to have medical doctor and board member, Tom Reese, and his wife Gayle conduct several medical clinics in Ghana.  Dr. Reese treated over 300 patients with ailments ranging from malaria, intestinal parasites, infected wounds, to an infant with a 104.8 degree fever.  We were also able to arrange and fund anti-venom treatment for a man who was bitten by a poisonous snake.  All of A Better Life for Kids' sponsored children as well as many sick children and babies at the orphanages we partner with received medical attention.  The outpouring of gratitude was overwhelming as this was the first time most of these people had been examined by a medical doctor in their lives. 

Additionally, we visited the eight deaf children ABLFK sponsors to attend Kibi Boarding School for the Deaf.  We were encouraged by the progress these children displayed and saw the powerful impact an education is having in their lives.  We were also able to purchase items such as beans, fish, chicken, vegetables, soap, toothpaste, and baby formula in our continued effort to meet the basic needs of orphans and needy children.

McCracken Middle School Students Make A Difference

A Better Life for Kids was blessed to have the support of McCracken Middle School students for a second year in a row!  As part of their year-long service learning project, they planned many special fundraising opportunities, including a benefit concert, designed and sold t-shirts, and organized a walk-a-thon.  Their efforts raised $6,035!!  This would not have been possible without the support and leadership from teachers, Jen Ciok and Bethany Blades, who spear-headed and encouraged their students.  A Better Life for Kids is so grateful!

The money raised by the McCracken students was used for two very special purposes. Last fall, A Better Life for Kids was able to sponsor eight orphaned deaf children to attend school for the very first time.  Seeing children who had no hope for a future smiling and proudly wearing a school uniform is one of the best feelings in the world.   Half of the money the students raised this year will go towards keeping these children in school.  The other half was used to purchase medicine and supplies for the medical clinics held in Ghana this July.  The McCracken Middle School students should be very proud of their accomplishments!

On a personal note, it is so touching to see the McCracken Middle School students support a cause that is so close to my heart.  Last year was especially exciting because I was teaching in this school district when all of these students were in 2^nd grade and I was lucky enough to have many of them in my classroom!  I remember talking to this special group of seven and eight year olds when I was planning my very first trip to Ghana and now they are the ones planning ways to help these orphaned and needy children themselves.  This truly means so much to me.  They should be so proud of their teamwork, energy, and enthusiasm.  The work they are doing is making the world a better place.