Hiking Expert, Supporters Turn Out For Annual Walk For Sunshine
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Ten years ago, Jeff Alt hiked an estimated 5 million steps along the 2,160-mile Applachian Trail to raise money for Sunshine, Inc.
On September 6, Alt declared the start of the 11th annual fund-raising event for the Maumee-based home that supports the developmentally disabled and mentally retarded.
The Walk with Sunshine has generated $155,000 in the past decade. This year’s goal of $30,000 would fund a staff person for the new therapeutic horseback riding program, according to Douglas Siebenaler, Sunshine director of development. Construction on the Sunshine Riding Center was recently completed, and horses should arrive within the next few months.
Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to benefit those with disabilities. Even those who cannot ride will benefit from interacting and caring for the animals, Siebenaler said.
Alt motioned to his brother Aaron, who has been a Sunshine resident for 23 years. He was born in 1973 with cerebral palsy and mental retardation.
“For folks like my brother Aaron, who rely upon others for their daily needs, simple things like caressing an animal’s fur brings a smile,” Alt said.
Walking is a simple pleasure that Alt turned into a fund-raiser when he hiked the Appalachian Trail and wrote about his experiences in his book A Walk For Sunshine, raising $16,000 for communication devices and other equipment for Sunshine clients.
Alt has since trekked the 218-mile John Muir Trail with his wife Beth across the California Sierra Nevada Mountains, carried his daughter across part of Ireland and has appeared as a guest hiking expert on ESPN’s Inside America’s National Parks.
In addition to being an expert hiker featured on radio and television shows, the award-winning author is a certified speech language communication expert with 10 years of experience working with children ages 2 and older.
As Alt, his wife, children and extended family embarked on the annual walk along the Wabash Cannonball Trail, departing from Monclova Primary School, they were joined by hundreds of Sunshine residents, employees and families.
Joel and Candy Tavormina of Whitehouse brought their mini-horse Sir Bartley and Dalmatian Jake for the walk, which they haven’t missed in years. Their daughter Angie has been served by Sunshine for over 10 years, participating in activities and working in the community, Joel said.
Sunshine employee Lisa Moldenke and her children Brandon and Micayla raised $530 and came to the walk with their dog Pinky.
Kelly Waterfield, 32, has lived in a group home for the past 16 years. She prepared for the walk by doling out plenty of hugs to the family members and friends who joined her for the fund-raiser.
In wheelchairs or on foot, with dogs and horses, participants walked from one-half to two miles along the multi-purpose trail.
Alt conducted a half-hour walking clinic, explaining walking techniques, clothing, shoes, hydration and equipment.
The Southview High School graduate lives in the Cincinnati area but returns to assist Sunshine whenever possible.
“Sunshine has provided my brother with the best care he could get with his physical and mental conditions. He receives outstanding health care, social interaction and even employment,” Alt said.
Roy and Georgette Engler created Sunshine in 1949. After raising five children with mental retardation, they saw the need for more services to support children with dependent needs.
The Sunshine Home grew from 27 children in 1952 to its current capacity, supporting the needs of more than 850 mentally retarded and developmentally disabled residents and clients throughout Northwest Ohio.
Clients range in age from 6 to 86. Services are provided at the Sunshine Children’s Home, in community-based family care homes, in clients’ own homes and at the respite care facilities on the Sunshine campus.
A wide variety of support programs are available including vocational training, therapy services, family support services, recreation programs and summer day camp.
For more information, go to www.sunshineincnwo.org.
HEALTH CARE CALENDAR
Free Prostate Program Is Offered At St. Luke’s
St. Luke’s Hospital will host the free program “Three Steps for Surviving Prostate Cancer” on Tuesday, September 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Auditorium A.
The program will feature cancer survivor, author and pastor Marvin McMickle. He’ll share how his views about the power of faith, healing, hope and health helped him to turn his battle with cancer into a blessing.
To register, call (419) 897-8484 or visit the Web site www.stlukeshospital.com.
Nutritionist Shares Dietary Secrets At Library
Mercy for Animals will present a free vegetarian dinner from Zingo’s Mediterranean and a presentation by nutritionist Freeman Wicklund on Wednesday, October 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wicklund will discuss losing weight, maintaining youth, staying healthy and feeling good.
The event will take place at the Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Rd., Maumee. For more information, contact Heather Gillen at (419) 304-4948 or heather@mercyforanimals.org.
Wound Therapy Program Planned At St. Luke’s
St. Luke’s Hospital will host a free wound therapy program on Wednesday, October 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Auditorium A. Presented by St. Luke’s hyperbaric technologist Troy McDaniel, “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Help for Wounds That Won’t Heal” will explain how this state-of-the-art technology is used to treat diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds.
To register to attend the program, call (419) 897-8484 or go to www.stlukeshospital.com.
Grief Series For Adults Who Have Lost Partner Set
Hospice of Northwest Ohio is offering evening support sessions for adults who are mourning the loss of one or both parents. The four-week group, After Your Parent Dies, will meet on Thursdays, October 2-23 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Hospice of Northwest Ohio’s Toledo Center, 800 S. Detroit Ave.
The series is free and open to any adult in the community, whether or not they have had a prior relationship with Hospice of Northwest Ohio; however, pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Hospice bereavement department at (419) 661-4001.
Ecumenical Bereavement Support Group To Meet
The Ecumenical Bereavement Support Group will meet on Tuesday, October 7 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Emmaus Room at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Jan Baden, executive director of Gabby’s Ladder, regional parish nurse coordinator and director of bereavement services at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, will present “Finding Hope in the Midst of Loneliness and Fear.” For more information, call Rita Hoff at (419) 724-4675.
Hospice Forms Spiritual Grief Support Group
Hospice of Northwest Ohio will offer “Pathways: A Spiritual Journey of Grief” on Tuesdays, October 7 through November 25. The group will meet from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Hospice of Northwest Ohio’s Toledo Center. Facilitated by Hospice chaplain Ruth Cunning, topics will include moving forward, cultivating community, waiting, releasing and pain, people and pathways.
The group is free and open to any adult in the community. Advance registration is required. To register, call (419) 661-4001.
St. Luke’s Offers Free Breast Cancer Screenings
St. Luke’s Hospital will offer free breast cancer screenings on Tuesday, October 21 from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Appointments are needed.
Free screenings are available to women age 40 and older with no health insurance and who have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months. Women 25-40 who have had a first-degree relative with breast cancer or have found a lump in their breast are also eligible.
To make an appointment, call (419) 897-8484. Participants will be asked to provide a family doctor’s telephone number and address as well as information about past mammograms.
Adult Grief Group Meets At Toledo Hospice Center
Hospice of Northwest Ohio offers an ongoing, interactive grief support group for adults who are adjusting to the loss of any loved one. The group meets 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Toledo Hospice Center.
The group is free and open to any adult; however, pre-registration is required. Call (419) 661-4001 for more information or to register.
ProMedica Offers Feeding Tube Support Group
The Oley Foundation and the ProMedica Cancer Institute host a support group for those who use intravenous or home tube feeding methods. These methods are used for people with a wide range of chronic diseases including Crohn’s disease, short bowel syndrome, cancer and other disorders. All outpatients and caregivers are welcome. For more information, call Marcis Grandsko at (419) 291-4557.
Alzheimer’s Association Offers Support Groups
The Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, offers support group meetings for caregivers of those with memory loss. The meetings are free and open to the public. For a schedule of meetings or more information, call (800) 272-3900 or (419) 537-1999.
Hospice Provides Grief Group For Young Families
Hospice of Northwest Ohio offers a grief support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner early in life. Sessions are held simultaneously for adults as well as children ages 5 to 13 years. The group meets from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Toledo Hospice Center.
The sessions are designed to help adults explore ways to develop healthy responses to their evolving feelings of grief. Children will learn to share their feelings and understand their grief through the use of art, music and play. Free child care is available for children under 5; arrangements must be made in advance.
Participation is free, but advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.hospicenwo.org or call (419) 661-4001.
Spouses’ Grief Support Group Meets Monthly
Hospice of Northwest Ohio provides a grief support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner during the mid-life years. The group meets from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Toledo Hospice Center.
Sessions are designed to help adults learn ways to adapt, set realistic expectations and gain support and understanding in their grief. Participation is free, but advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.hospicenwo.org or call (419) 661-4001.