| Technical Communicators and Friends of our Chapter: It’s the time of year we give thanks for all our blessings and think of ways to help others. If you are looking for different avenues in which to help, we have a few suggestions. Mike Murray’s “Make a Difference” ScholarshipThis scholarship honors our long-time member and leader, Mike Murray, and supports his dream to Make a Difference in the field of communicative disorders. The Fund helps graduate students in communicative disorders who will work with patients like Mike whose lives are impacted by Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and other debilitating diseases, and it yields a potential double benefit of also supporting research and possible future breakthroughs. The scholarship is part of the UCF Foundation, which means contributions to the scholarship are eligible for employer matches and possible tax deductions since the UCF Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. One hundred percent of your donation will go to this specific scholarship fund; there are no administrative fees. Origins of the scholarship https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/news/mike-murray-make-a-difference-scholarship-honors-legacy-and-inspires-recipients-to-use-their-voice-to-help-others/ 2020 scholarship recipient – Dani Schwam I’m sure you will be inspired by her story: https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/news/first-recipient-of-the-mike-murray-scholarship-shares-perspective-of-focusing-on-abilities/ Donating Donating is easy and can be done online in a few moments: http://ucffoundation.org/MikeMurray This scholarship and our chapter can make a difference to untold numbers of future therapists, researchers, and patients. Second Harvest Food Bank COVID-19 update: Second Harvest has made significant operational changes to meet double the need since the pandemic began. To maintain social distancing standards and operate at the highest level of efficiency, they are not accepting community food donations. What you can do is donate funds or volunteer. Visit Home – Second Harvest (shfb.org) for more details. Ronald McDonald house. This charity provides a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando. They have multiple Amazon wish lists, making it easy for people to choose where to donate. https://www.rmhccf.org/how-to-help/other-ways-to-help/wish-list St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and discover means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay. Click Here for Ways to Give These are just a few of the many fine organizations whose missions are to support patient care or help those in need. If you are able to help others who may not enjoy the advantages of good health and sufficient means, please open your heart and be warmed by knowing you have supported a worthy student whose future contributions to patient care can make all the difference to countless post-stroke or Parkinson’s patients, or you have helped someone in need of food, medical care, or lodging who is struggling to carry on. Sincerely,  Debra Johnson President, STC Florida Chapter  |
A Message from the President