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For Immediate Release Contact: Carey Sipp, AADD
Sept. 15, 2004 404-881-9777, ext. 228
“Gifts With Gratitude” Parties Provide Needed Resources for Individuals with Disabilities
Upcoming holidays make this an ideal time to schedule party to benefit people served by the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
A few months ago, when Elizabeth Bole was thinking about her upcoming 37 th birthday, she had something other than a traditional party in mind – but she wasn't sure exactly how she wanted to celebrate. So when she heard about a new initiative from the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, Bole thought it would be a perfect opportunity to combine her special day with helping others in need.
AADD, a nonprofit organization that builds communities of support for those living with developmental disabilities, offers a meaningful alternative to traditional birthday celebrations through its “Gifts With Gratitude” parties. Instead of bringing a gift for the birthday person, guests bring a donated item or items to benefit individuals served by AADD, who, because of disabilities and related challenges, often have trouble making it to the store on their own. A typical list of items includes toiletries, diapers, children's clothes, cleaning supplies, and nonperishable foods.
So far, dozens of individuals in AADD's network have benefited from these unique events, and the hope is that many more individuals will receive gifts as well, especially with the holidays coming up.
“Everyone I have talked to has said, ‘What a great idea!'” Boles says. “There's just lots of enthusiasm about it. This is something really different, and really special.”
“It's also trying to remind people that we're all alike, that we all have everyday needs,” she notes. “We may take it for granted that we can go out to the grocery store and buy two packs of diapers. For other people it's a struggle. They might not even be able to take the public transportation by themselves, so just running out to the store is a major effort. This is about trying to help ease those everyday chores.”
“Gifts With Gratitude” parties are available for anyone in the Metro Atlanta area interested in hosting an event. Planning is simple: AADD puts together the item lists, which means that guests avoid the usual agonizing over finding “the perfect gift” for the birthday person. AADD representatives also will load the donated items and take them back to the AADD offices.
In addition, Boles notes, instructing guests to bring a donated gift offers a less-intrusive means of contributing than simply asking them to write a check.
“If they're coming to a birthday party, they were probably going to bring a gift anyway,” she points out. “So they bring what they're comfortable doing. They could bring something their own children would love to have, or even in-date dry goods from their own pantry – something they know people need on an every day basis. In many ways, there's no obligation at all. It's individual discretion.”
“Plus, when you have a list of specific things that are needed, it requires a little more effort than just opening your checkbook, and I think that's good too. It makes you think about what you're doing a little bit more.”
AADD helps coordinate “Gifts With Gratitude” parties throughout the year, and, according to marketing director Carey Sipp, is especially hopeful that companies or individuals looking for a way to “give back during the holidays” will want to host such an event at a home, an office, or even in AADD's offices in Midtown.
At one such party at the AADD office, birthday hostess Sheila Shessel gathered with her friends to paint a mural for the children's library and play area. And Marianne Craft, at her party this past summer, had about 25 luncheon guests who enjoyed a delightful boxed lunch and then wrapped presents for children who were going to summer camp for the first time. Bole, who has two young children, chose to host the event at her house so that guests could also bring their kids.
For more information or to schedule a “Gifts With Gratitude” party, please contact Carey Sipp at AADD, 404-881-9777, ext. 228.
Available for interview:
Elizabeth Bole, 404-350-8651
Carey Sipp , 404-881-9777, ext. 228
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