William Arthur Ward once wrote, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

What wise words he shared with us; they’re particularly salient during this season of giving, when we are reminded of all the gifts for which we are grateful. 

At a recent board meeting, Easterseals Board Member and Officer Constance Yuschok voiced her gratitude for the Easterseals’ commitment to her family. Her daughter AnnaHart has received Easterseals services for many years and has grown into a flourishing and beautiful young woman. 

Constance’s heartfelt sentiments regarding why she proudly supports Easterseals with her time, talent and treasure touched all present at the meeting. We gratefully share them with you below:

• I am grateful to my dad, Dr. Treloar, for immediately recognizing the needs of his two-day-old granddaughter, Annahart, and knowing whom to ask.

• I am grateful to Lynn Sinnott, Bev (Johnson’s) predecessor, for referring my Dad to Easterseals. 

• I am grateful for the Early Intervention and subsequent years of all types of therapy provided by Easterseals which helped turn my daughter's disabilities into abilities!

• I am grateful to Amal, AnnaHart’s physical therapist, who taught her to walk after many sessions and years of work.

• I am grateful to the sensory therapist who wrapped AnnaHart in rolled-up blankets, had her do hand stands (or knee stands, as it were), thereby lessening AnnaHart’s sensitivity to noises.

• I am grateful to the speech therapist who helped AnnaHart develop muscles in her face, try to overcome hypotonia, and make sounds and talk.

• I am grateful to Dorothy Lefford, the occupational therapist who helped AnnaHart try to obtain some coordination with puzzles, etc., in order to write, as well as deal with her swallowing and food  issues.

• I am grateful to the behavior therapist who taught us how to try to manage AnnaHart’s outbursts.
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• I am grateful to Easterseals for giving my daughter the opportunity to be her best self! AnnaHart now lives at Stewart Home School in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she can be more independent, have friends, be surrounded with others like her, have a productive life and help others at her school with equine therapy.

• And finally, I am grateful for all of the Easterseals leaders who support Easterseals not only with time, treasure and talent, but also allow other children and adults the opportunity to turn their disabilities into abilities too.

Recently, during its annual meeting in Daytona Beach, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida officially recognized its 2019-2020 Board of Directors.

2019 Lily Award Winner and longtime Easterseals supporter Len Marinaccio commented to the assembled crowd regarding the board’s exceptional leadership and commitment. It’s because of that leadership, he said, that Easterseals is a thriving, growing and dynamic organization.

Officers of the board were installed:

• Lauren Burkhalter, Chairman of the Board
• Dr. Steve Sevigny, Chair-Elect and Vice Chair
• Melissa Burt DeVriese, Treasurer
• Constance Yuschok, Secretary
• Kelly Parsons Kwiatek, Immediate Past Chair

Returning board members include:  Matt Birnie, Lonnie Brown, Pam Browne, Sheryl Cook, Ed Dimayuga, Myra Middleton, Nancy-Ellen Otte, Paul Schandel, Don Sciotto, and Darlynn Tacinelli.  Also pictured are honorary board members Jim Barocas, Patti Parsons and Becky Rutland.

The 2019-2020 board also includes new members, whose three-year terms begin this year. They are:

• Bridget Bergens
• April Chilson
• Susan Persis
• Linda Webster-Dubea
• Holly Woersching
• Andrew Young

After recognizing the board, Len turned his attention to remembering two talented Easterseals champions who passed away earlier this year: David Hood and Gloria Cook. Both were Easterseals Honorary Life Directors.

Len remarked that during Easterseals nomination process this year, the Governance Committee unanimously favored bestowing the title of Honorary Life Director to another of Easterseals’ best and brightest champions: Sheryl Cook. With a wide smile and full heart, Sheryl accepted the honor.
 
Lastly, Len installed the new Board of Directors during the annual meeting, reminding the audience of the board’s values and expectations for service. Those key values include customer focus; commitment to excellence; dedication to stewardship and philanthropy; a focus on communication; dedication to respectful service; a commitment to integrity; and being an advocate for Easterseals, demonstrating its purpose in the community.
 
Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is ever grateful for the commitment of its volunteer board and looks forward to a productive year ahead! We thank the members for for their service. 

Len Marinaccio, owner of Bomar Construction, was honored with the 2019 Lily Award by Easterseals Northeast Central Florida recently at the Easterseals’ Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach.

Each year, an honoree is chosen for the Lily Award based on his or her dedication to Easterseals’ mission to providing exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

From the moment Len learned more about Easterseals when his firm won the bid to lead the renovation of Easterseals' main building in 2001, he’s been a mentor, advisor and friend to the organization. To date, he’s has given more than 18 years of dedicated service to Easterseals and has been active at all levels within the organization.

His committee work has included Finance, Special Events, Governance and Executive. ​Further, Len has served as chairperson for many committees, including Finance and Endowment, Audit, Facilities, Program and Governance. And, he was Easterseals’ Board Chair between 2010 and 2012.

Len's leadership and dedication even took him to Chicago as he embraced a leading role for Easterseals as the organization proposed changes to the House of Delegates. In person and in countless teleconferences, Len ensured Easterseals Northeast Central Florida’s voice was heard in a professional and intentional manner during the process.

Further, Len and Bomar Construction are charter and annual sponsors of Easterseals’ Walk With Me event and client holiday party, thus demonstrating their dedication to Easterseals’ financial success as well. 

Len’s consistent efforts in mentoring, advising and consulting the Easterseals leadership team makes him most worthy of the 2019 Lily Award.  Congratulations, Len! We appreciate you!