Florida City CenterFlorida City CenterFlorida City CenterFlorida City Center

335 South Krome Avenue

Florida City, FL 33034

Phone: 305.242.8122

Fax: 305.242.8837

Patchesppec@gmail.com

Ft Pierce CenterFt Pierce CenterFt Pierce CenterFt Pierce Center

2959 West Midway Road

Ft Pierce, FL 34981

Phone: 772.462.6601

Fax: 772.462.6634

Patchesinc@bellsouth.net

Just thinking out loud….. The Christmas decorations are down...and packed away until next year. The candy, cookies and baked goods are gone. We’ve all sworn that we are going on a diet because we’ve had too many sweets...although we have spotted a certain someone snooping through the cabinets in the PATCHES kitchen looking for a goodie to nib-

ble on…..we won’t mention who that someone was.

What’s not gone are the sweet, wonderful memories of a caring community that shared it’s love with PATCHES this holiday season. Looking back over November and December……. all we can say is “WOW...

how amazing!”.

New Years is here one year ends and a new year begins. New dreams and challenges are before all of us in 2012. As 2011 ends we were informed by the federal government that there are new guidelines and

regulations for ALL cribs and we must be in compliance by December 2012. Keeping Baby Safe a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education, assistance, and leadership in keeping babies safe from preventable injuries associated with unsafe cribs and unsafe sleep environments. played a significant role in influencing lawmakers to mandate these new crib safety laws. "KBS has worked integrally with the U.S. Con-

sumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in representing the consumer's perspective in the new law," says Jack Walsh, Director Emeritus of KBS and crib safety expert. KBS has successfully lobbied Congress for stronger crib laws on drop-side cribs and better legislation to regulate manufactures of cribs to ensure that every baby sleeps in a safe environment. Once the community heard what we were facing our wonderful

community began asking us how much the new cribs would cost? The new cribs range between $400.00 and $600.00 for a baby and toddler. For older children the crib/beds range from $6,500.00 and up depending on

the size of the child and their illness.

We know that we will face other challenges this year in health care concerning the running of a PPEC...yet

“we move forward by staying focused on the needs of the children” because “we know who we serve & why”.

Friends, thank you for inquiring about the price of the required new cribs. Friends, thank you for inquiring about the price of the required new cribs. Friends, thank you for inquiring about the price of the required new cribs. Friends, thank you for inquiring about the price of the required new cribs.

The Women of PATCHES

January January January January EEEE----News LetterNews LetterNews LetterNews Letter

Happy New YearHappy New YearHappy New YearHappy New Year

Page 2

December 2011…comes to an end

Just a couple more pictures to share of some special groups.

Dr. Fishers’ Chiropractic Center (below)

Dr. Fishers’ office, staff and patients as well as friends of theirs from Blue Cross donated toys, food, supplies and gift cards to PATCHES this Christmas. There

were so many items donated that they were all over the

conference room floor and the attached office..

Homestead-Miami Speedway (up)

We don’t know who your shopping Elves were but

you sure knew what the children would like. Who

would have guessed that when Matt Beecher, Presi-dent of Homestead Speedway helped one of our little guys open his present that the gift inside would be

race cars. Our little fella was thrilled!!

Somerset Art Academy (up)

The students, parents and staff joined

together to bring joy to the children of PATCHES.

Just a few of the students came to the center as

representatives for their school.

1st National Bank of South Florida

They have joined us for our Christmas party every year.

They always come loaded down with toys for our

children. (below)

Thank you all for making this Christmas so

much fun for the children at PATCHES

Page 3

In January PATCHES was “seen and heard” all around town

thanks to a community who cares and wants to help us

spread the word about what PATCHES PPEC is

Sharon Fields, Community Liaison for PATCHES

was invited to speak at the Soroptimist & Kiwanis

luncheons. Sharon (L) seen with Susan Newman,

President of Kiwanis.

Laura Smith, LPN from PATCHES

sat on a panel discussion at Miami-Dade Community College along with Early Steps and ARC. The panel shared with students, teachers and the public what these facilities offer for their children. They also talked about the problems that the sick and dis-abled families face concerning the lack of support & care these children receive. It was an eye opening pres-

entation for all who attended.

Jaqui Jay from Fam-

ily Stations, WMFL

88.5 FM contacted Sharon Fields for an interview about PATCHES. The in-terview was aired on

January 28th.

(no photo)

PATCHES was seen at the Homestead Rodeo all weekend. They were busy selling tick-ets for The “Horse Poop Bingo” of which they were the recipients of half the winnings. They were also selling tickets for their up-coming Mardi Gras Party to benefit PATCHES (Building For The Future) and they were selling raffle tickets for a chance to

win the 2011 Green Bay Packers signed Superbowl Football.

R: Volunteers who worked the rodeo were JoEllen Smith, Barbara Capp & son Colin,

PATCHES Founders Joanie Ippolito, Kyle Smith and PATCHES CFO Steve Sapp.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunities to get the word out

about PATCHES

During Children’s Week in Tallahassee the official “Hanging of the Hands”

takes place in the State Capital Rotunda…PATCHES Hands are there this year

These sweet hands in all sizes remind the legislators and ad-vocates that we must take care of our most precious commod-ity our children. They hang in the Capitol Rotunda for one week. The PATCHES hands when attached together with

ribbon were 29 feet long.

Yes, all kids matter!

L: Founders Kyle Smith, Joanie Ippolito, Kiwanis Florida District Governor Eddie & Donna Lee, Divi-sion 26 Lt. Governor John Clemetson, Kiwanis Club of Homestead/South Dade President Susan Newman, Sharon Haxton Immediate Past President of Kiwanis

Club of Homestead/South Dade.

They had a tour of the nursing center and shared some of the issues PPEC’s face, along with cuts and changes to Medicaid, the new federal government regulations for all cribs. Sometimes when we talk with visitors about what we face it can become very over whelm-

ing….but they all agree it is a very important work.

Thanks for coming for a visit.

Big Red from 1st National Bank

brings a check to PATCHES

During the holiday season 1st National Band sold the softest,

cuddliest, stuffed Red Dogs for $5 to benefit PATCHES. The real “Red Dog” arrived at the nursing center to present us with a very nice check from the sale of the stuffed Red Dogs. Some of our children

wanted to keep Big Red as our personal PATCHES pet.

Thank you 1st National Bank for your generous donation.

Thanks to Linda Ogden and Maria Gonzalez for bringing

Big Red.

Members of Kiwanis stopped by PATCHES to talk with Founders Joanie Ippolito and

Kyle Smith as they headed to Key Largo for their District 26 Council Meeting.

The month of January has flown by at PATCHES Ft. Pierce. The children have enjoyed playing with all their new toys at home and at PPEC. The weather has been lovely and they frequently enjoy therapy and school out-side! We have recently purchased a new 42" flat screen TV and wall mount with a generous donation from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Cora Stickney Harper Chapter. This will go along with the new WII, generously donated by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Department. It will be used for physical activities and

games.

PATCHES…..Ft. Pierce...Happenings

Our January employee of the month in Ft. Pierce is Dawn Rogers, Our January employee of the month in Ft. Pierce is Dawn Rogers, Our January employee of the month in Ft. Pierce is Dawn Rogers, Our January employee of the month in Ft. Pierce is Dawn Rogers, LPNLPNLPNLPN. . . . Dawn has been employed at PATCHES PPEC since May, 2011. She is a for-mer paramedic from Bedford, Massachusetts! She plans on returning to school for an RN degree in the future. Dawn demonstrates the excellence and caring that is the

hallmark of PATCHES nursing staff. Congratulations Dawn!

R: Isaiah with new IPAD

Romarria getting ready for Valentine's Day!

Ayanna and Samelia are do-ing learning games on the

new IPAD donated by

MedVance nursing students

Elna and Kaebron are enjoying

lunch & speech therapy

outdoors

Carrabba’s

Port St. Lucie West 1900 SW Fountainview Blvd.

Is hosting a

Benefit Luncheon for

Ft. Pierce PATCHES

Wednesday, February 29

at 12:30

Tickets are $18.00

(includes a drink, salad, meal, & dessert)

Tickets and information available at

PATCHES PPEC—FT. PIERCE

772-462-6601.

Hope you will join us!

Enjoy a great meal with

friends and help

PATCHES care for

some of the

smallest, weakest &

sickest children in

Ft. Pierce.

It’s not too late….you could be the lucky winner of the It’s not too late….you could be the lucky winner of the It’s not too late….you could be the lucky winner of the It’s not too late….you could be the lucky winner of the

2011 Signed Superbowl Football 2011 Signed Superbowl Football 2011 Signed Superbowl Football 2011 Signed Superbowl Football

Hurry and get your raffle tickets Hurry and get your raffle tickets Hurry and get your raffle tickets Hurry and get your raffle tickets ————

You You You You don’tdon’tdon’tdon’t have to be there to win! have to be there to win! have to be there to win! have to be there to win!

Our Biggest Fund Raiser Ever…Our Biggest Fund Raiser Ever…Our Biggest Fund Raiser Ever…Our Biggest Fund Raiser Ever…

“Building For The Future” the “PATCHES Village”“Building For The Future” the “PATCHES Village”“Building For The Future” the “PATCHES Village”“Building For The Future” the “PATCHES Village”

PATCHES PATCHES PATCHES PATCHES

Inaugural Mardi Gras PartyInaugural Mardi Gras PartyInaugural Mardi Gras PartyInaugural Mardi Gras Party

Saturday, February 18, 2012Saturday, February 18, 2012Saturday, February 18, 2012Saturday, February 18, 2012

6:30 p.m. Cocktails / 7:30 p.m. Dinner6:30 p.m. Cocktails / 7:30 p.m. Dinner6:30 p.m. Cocktails / 7:30 p.m. Dinner6:30 p.m. Cocktails / 7:30 p.m. Dinner

Harris Field Pavilion,Harris Field Pavilion,Harris Field Pavilion,Harris Field Pavilion,

Homestead, FLHomestead, FLHomestead, FLHomestead, FL

Tickets $ 75.00 per personTickets $ 75.00 per personTickets $ 75.00 per personTickets $ 75.00 per person

(Proceeds to benefit P.A.T.C.H.E.S)(Proceeds to benefit P.A.T.C.H.E.S)(Proceeds to benefit P.A.T.C.H.E.S)(Proceeds to benefit P.A.T.C.H.E.S)

Jorge Estevez, CBS 4 News ReporterJorge Estevez, CBS 4 News ReporterJorge Estevez, CBS 4 News ReporterJorge Estevez, CBS 4 News Reporter

will add to the fun of the evening as our emcee will add to the fun of the evening as our emcee will add to the fun of the evening as our emcee will add to the fun of the evening as our emcee

Chef Joost Barens, Chef Joost Barens, Chef Joost Barens, Chef Joost Barens, known for known for known for known for

over 25 years for his culinary abilities from the islandsover 25 years for his culinary abilities from the islandsover 25 years for his culinary abilities from the islandsover 25 years for his culinary abilities from the islands

to South Beach and beyond will prepare our mouth to South Beach and beyond will prepare our mouth to South Beach and beyond will prepare our mouth to South Beach and beyond will prepare our mouth

watering watering watering watering N’awlins Dinner, N’awlins Dinner, N’awlins Dinner, N’awlins Dinner,

Steve Kirkland and Band Steve Kirkland and Band Steve Kirkland and Band Steve Kirkland and Band

will have us dancing the night away with his live jazz musicwill have us dancing the night away with his live jazz musicwill have us dancing the night away with his live jazz musicwill have us dancing the night away with his live jazz music

Cash Bar..Stephen Degrave owner of Cash Bar..Stephen Degrave owner of Cash Bar..Stephen Degrave owner of Cash Bar..Stephen Degrave owner of

Stick & Stein Sports Rock Café Stick & Stein Sports Rock Café Stick & Stein Sports Rock Café Stick & Stein Sports Rock Café

will donated his time and money to our cause will donated his time and money to our cause will donated his time and money to our cause will donated his time and money to our cause

Kathleen Higham, Christian Author & PoetKathleen Higham, Christian Author & PoetKathleen Higham, Christian Author & PoetKathleen Higham, Christian Author & Poet

will be doing a Book Signing of her new book called “Reflections from God” which features a story and poem about PATCHES. The proceeds from the book sales at

Mardi Gras will be donated to PATCHES

There will be a

parade, silent auction, 50/50 board

and so much more.

Mardi Gras costumes and

colors are encouraged.

For reservations and more informa-

tion please contact Carol Harris

at 786-255-5234 or

harriscontractor@aol.com

Ticket purchase on-line at

www.patchesppec.org under Events

Ways To Give Ways To Give Ways To Give Ways To Give

Automatic Giving—Electronic giving is a convenient way to give regularly and systematically. If you would like to give consistently by becoming an electronic giver at PATCHES. Please consider filling out the form on our website and re-

turning it to our office. www.patchesppec.org

We now take credit cards for your donating convenience. You may stop by the center, or call to use

the credit card feature or use PayPal on our website.

Donate By Mail: Make checks payable to PATCHES and mail to:

PATCHES 335 South Krome Avenue Florida City, FL 33034

501 C 3 Not for Profit charity. All donations are tax deductable as allowed by law.

Shop through iGive or GoodShop Every time you shop at one of the over 720 name-brand internet stores in the iGive.com Mall or GoodShop, we’ll receive a donation of about 5% (depending on the store) of each purchase you make, at no cost to you. Some of the stores include Home Depot, Amazon, Apple, Dell Computers, Target, Macys and many, many

more.

The iGive Button is on the PATCHES website. By registering, PATCHES gets an automatic

$5.00. By registering the iGive Button gets uploaded to your tool bar. When you shop using the

link button on the toolbar PATCHES automatically gets credit for your purchases.

Anyone who takes care of a little child like this is caring for me! Luke 9:48

PATCHES…PATCHES…PATCHES…PATCHES…

where miracles happen where miracles happen where miracles happen where miracles happen

Thank you for your love and support. We are grateful for your generosity.Thank you for your love and support. We are grateful for your generosity.Thank you for your love and support. We are grateful for your generosity.Thank you for your love and support. We are grateful for your generosity.

The Women of PATCHESThe Women of PATCHESThe Women of PATCHESThe Women of PATCHES

Mr. & Mrs. Levy, Michael Pappas & Tim Pappas of The Keyes Company, Aeropostale—Cutler Bay, Charles & Emilia Gug-

liuzza, Erik Schreiber, National Council of Jewish Women, Bernadine Cosgrove, Dawn Ferland, Saleem & Jennifer Ha-

maty, Gail & Joshua Stephens, Julie Romero & the Community Centre Staff and Serena Henry.

This list of donations does not include any thing that we have received for our

Inaugural Mardi Gras Party event. Those names will appear next month.

It’s not too late to get your ticketsIt’s not too late to get your ticketsIt’s not too late to get your ticketsIt’s not too late to get your tickets

You sure don’t want to miss the fun!You sure don’t want to miss the fun!You sure don’t want to miss the fun!You sure don’t want to miss the fun!

Contact Carol Harris at 786-255-5234

or harriscontractor@aol.com