On Mar. 28 from 4-6 p.m. in Sykes Ballrooms, the National Student Speech & Hearing Language Association (NSSLHA) will be hosting a silent art auction and raffle benefitting Small Steps in Speech. This amazing non-profit, founded by West Chester alumna, Amanda Charney MA, CCC-SLP, assists children with speech and language disorders by funding supplemental therapies and treatments for individuals as well as grants to charitable organizations who serve children with communicative disorders. Appropriately named “Art With a Heart,” this fundraiser will feature framed artwork by recipients as well as artwork by local school children and local artists. Supported by local businesses and organizations, the fundraiser will also auction off various gift baskets and gift cards to those in attendance. In addition to the artwork, an array of appetizers and desserts will be served and live music will be on hand to entertain guests. The auction is open to all students, faculty and staff. Tickets are only $5 at the door, and all proceeds will go directly to Small Steps in Speech.
This cause proves to be of great importance to its organizers.
“After working with children who were unable to afford speech therapy, I wanted to give back to a nonprofit that gives to individuals, who are unable to afford therapy…I chose an art auction for the fundraiser because one activity most children love is making artwork,” said the fundraiser co-coordinator Melissa Christie.
NSSLHA secretary Judy Lubas echoed Christie’s sentiments. “The reason I hold Small Steps in Speech in such high regards is that 100 percent of donations go directly to children in need. All board members are volunteers with full times job of their own, and there is no official office so there are absolutely no overhead costs.”
Grants given by Small Steps in Speech have afforded children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders and other varied disabilities with a gift that most take advantage on a daily basis: the ability to form a relationship with love ones through communication.
For additional information on this wonderful philanthropy, and to view recipient testimonials, readers can visit www.smallstepsinspeech.org. If you or your organization are interested volunteering or making monetary donation, please contact Melissa Christie at MC761281@wcupa.edu.
Judy Lubas is a third-year student majoring in communicative disorders. She can be reached at JL759294@wcupa.edu.