Public awareness and fund-raising ideas

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From: Jim Hoekzema <jjhox@aol.com>

There will be a Polo Match at Royal Palm Polo in Boca Raton FL on Sunday, March 29th at 11:30am. Tickets are $20 per person this includes Beer, Wine, Food, and the Match. If anyone has any questions they can E-mail me at jjhox@aol.com.

Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 15:40:59 -0400 (EDT)

We had a baby quilt auction at the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona, PA. We started asking local quilting groups and individuals to donate a baby quilt for the project in October of last year, then by April we had 42 hand made quilts. All different styles, colors, and sizes. It was great. Then we had a local newscaster describe the quilts, and an auctioneer to auction them off. It went off really well. We were also there with information and handouts for anyone who dared to ask.

Kelli Servello

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Reprinted with permission from Reaching Out,
Vol. 8, November 1995,
SIDS Network, Inc.

Volunteer of the Year Award - 4/95
Northeast Utilities
Waterford, CT

Chuck Mihalko was recognized as a Volunteer of the Year, by Northeast Utilities, for his work for the SIDS Network.

Celebrate Life Mall Gala - 4/95
Crystal Mall
Waterford, CT

Over fifty volunteers again joined forces to make this event a success. Thousands of brochures were distributed, many new volunteers were recruited, and over $1,200 was raised. A special thanks goes to Crystal Mall, local music groups, local magicians, local clown personalities, and many other supportive volunteers who made this event a rousing success.

Paramedic Training - 4/95
Three Rivers Community College
Norwich, CT

Deb and Chuck Mihalko were invited to speak to the paramedic class at Three Rivers Community College. They presented current information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and represented the parents perspective.

Basketball Tournament - 4/95
Warwick, RI

Susan and Stephen Lawton organized a 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the Kent County YMCA, in memory of their son, Stephen Thomas. Eight teams played, many volunteers helped to make the tournament run smoothly, and SIDS awareness gained ground, while over $1600 was raised.

Mother's Day Gift Wrap - 5/95
Crystal Mall
Waterford, CT

Volunteers from the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, Ledyard High School, Mystic Carousel and Fun Center, and other dedicated volunteers combined their efforts to make this event a success. Many information pamphlets were distributed, new volunteers were recruited, and over $800 was raised. Many volunteers were also trained in the art of balloon sculpture. These new skills can be put to good use at a later date to assist in raising funds and public awareness at other events.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribe Health Fair - 5/95
Ledyard, CT

Volunteers answered questions, distributed literature and recruited new volunteers. Balloon sculptures were distributed while over $150 was collected. Many thanks to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe for their continuing support of the SIDS movement.

SIDS Stars - 5/95
Millstone Nuclear Power Station
Waterford, CT

Over 50 Millstone volunteers helped raise awareness about SIDS to the 3,000 workers at Millstone. They collected donations, and gave out large blue SIDS stars, that the workers would write their name on, and hang on the wall. An extremely large number of people were reached, over $2,100 was raised, and many new volunteers became involved.

Used Book Sale - 6/95
Millstone Nuclear Power Station
Waterford, CT

Trish Masse organized and ran a very successful used book sale at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, making many people happy, raising awareness about SIDS, and raising nearly $1,000.

Internet's Scout Report - 7/95

The SIDS Network's SIDS Information Home Site on the World Wide Web received recognition from The Scout Report. The Scout Report is a weekly publication offering a selection of new and newly discovered Internet resources of interest to researchers and educators.

Second Annual MEGA Conference - 8/95
Lebanon, CT

Deb and Chuck Mihalko presented a workshop about SIDS at the 1995 MEGA Conference (Merging to Educate, Grow and Achieve). The workshop was attended by over a dozen child care professionals, where they were given accurate up-to-date information about SIDS.

Internet Top 5% Recognition - 8/95
Point Survey, WWW

The SIDS Network's SIDS Information Home Site on the World Wide Web received recognition as one of the top 5% of all Web Sites on the Internet from Point Survey. Point is a free service which rates and reviews only the best sites on the World Wide Web. They provide "surfers" with a standard of excellence: a catalog of the most lively, useful, and fun sites on the Net. Their Top Ten list has been featured on CNN and in many publications, and Point Survey ratings are provided to media around the world. Their ratings are based solely on merit as judged by their users and reviewers.

Ledyard Fair Face Painting and Balloon
Sculpture Booth - 9/95
Ledyard, CT

Over thirty volunteers painted faces, produced balloon sculptures, answered questions, recruited new volunteers and distributed SIDS information. Everyone had a tremendous time and over $400.00 was collected.

Salem Volunteer Fire Department Training - 9/95
Salem, CT

Deb and Chuck Mihalko presented accurate and current SIDS information to members of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department.

Internet "Big Hits" - 10/95

The SIDS Network's SIDS Information Home Site on the World Wide Web has been rated one of the top 3 "Big Hits" by the Internet Audit Bureau (IAB) in the Health and Lifestyles category, with over 3,200 visitors in October alone! The IAB "Big Hits" reflects the top sites for each category tracked by IAB.

The "Ohio Room" State Party - 10/95
Lennox Inn party center
Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Hundreds of Internet chat room members (specifically the Ohio Room on American On-Line) supported an old-fashioned kissing booth, organized to raise funds and awareness of SIDS. This took place during the largest held state party for those chatters. The booth was run by many volunteers, filling in 30 minute time slots. Many people had a great time, learned about SIDS, and raised over $600.

Hometown Fair - 10/95
Crystal Mall
Waterford, CT

A dozen volunteers coordinated their efforts to raise public awareness and recruit new volunteers. There were entertainers, balloon sculptures and face painting. A lot of literature was distributed, many new names were added to the mailing list, and over $200.00 was raised.

Third Annual Walk to Remember and Memorial Service - 10/95
Lawrence and Memorial Hospital
New London, CT

It was a day of education and remembrance to honor babies that have died through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. Deb Mihalko spoke at the non-denominational memorial service for all those that have been touched by the death of an infant. Following the service there was a walk down Montauk Avenue to raise awareness of the devastating impact of pregnancy and infant loss.

Living with Loss ... Coping with Grief - 11/95
Hospice Conference
Lawrence and Memorial Hospital
New London, CT

It was an afternoon of education and sharing to honor those who have died. The speakers at the conference, moderated by Peter Lynch, ACSW, CISW, Center for Grief & Recovery, included Chaplain Robert H. Bartlett, D. Min, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Judith Crotty, MA, Coastal Counseling Services; Charles Mihalko, SIDS Network, Inc.; Cynthia Quick, MSW, Hospice of SE CT; Deborah Tedford, Esq., Brown, Jacobson, Tillinghast, Lahan, & King PC; and Carrie Winter, MSW, Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice of SE CT, and Joan Stuart, bereaved family member. The conference was followed by workshops, including ones on Helping Children, and on SIDS and Infant and Pregnancy Loss, Facilitated by Jean Van Arnam, Perinatal Bereavement Team, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Kim DeMatteo, MSW, CISW, Psychotherapy Center of Essex, and Deb and Chuck Mihalko, co-founders of the SIDS Network.

New Riders Official World Wide Web Yellow Pages- 10/95
World Wide Web

The SIDS Network's SIDS Information Web Site is listed in the 1996 New Riders Official World Wide Web Yellow Pages. The Yellow Pages contains the most Internet information available anywhere -- over 10,000 sites listed on 900 pages.

CJ Foundation for SIDS - 4/95

The CJ Foundation for SIDS awarded the SIDS Network a grant, providing partial funding for the SIDS Network newsletter and Support Group.

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Reprinted with permission from Reaching Out,
Vol. 6, March 1995,
SIDS Network, Inc.

Child Care Provider Training
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe Child Development Center
Ledyard, CT

Susan Lewis, RN and Deb Mihalko were invited to speak to the staff of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe Child Development Center. They conducted two sessions, presenting current information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and representing the parents' and child care providers' perspective.

Maternity & Children's Fashion Show
Branford, CT

A Tea, Silent Auction, and Fashion Show were the mainstays of this wonderfully successful event organized by Annie and George Atwood. Awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome received a real shot in the arm. Everyone there had a tremendous time and raised over $1600.00.

Hometown Fair
Crystal Mall
Waterford, CT

Ten volunteers coordinated their efforts to raise public awareness and recruit new volunteers. There were entertainers, balloon sculptures and face painting. A lot of literature was distributed, forty five new names were added to the mailing list, and over $200.00 was raised.

Starlight Night of Giving
Crystal Mall
Waterford, CT

Thanks to many industrious volunteers and Susan Lewis, RN, who chaired this event, over $200.00 was raised through ticket sales.

Living with Loss ... Coping with Grief
Hospice Conference
New London, CT

It was an afternoon of education and sharing to honor those who have died. The speakers at the conference included Chaplain Robert H. Bartlett, D. Min, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Judith Crotty, MA, Coastal Counseling Services; Deborah & Charles Mihalko, SIDS Network, Inc.; Naomi Nomizu, MD, Medical Director, Hospice of SE CT; Cynthia Quick, MSW, Hospice of SE CT; Lynn Scull, Cancer & Beyond, Cancer Support Group; Deborah Tedford, Esq., Brown, Tillinghast, Lahan, & King PC; Jean Van Arnam, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group Facilitator, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; and Carrie Winter, MSW, Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice of SE CT.

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