Published by Friends Aware, Inc. Winter 2014 • Vol. 26 / No. 2

FAI Annual Recognition Dinner

The Friends Aware Annual Recognition Dinner was held at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) was recognized as the 2013 Community Partner of the Year. ACM President Dr. Cynthia Bambara accepted the award recognizing their exceptional partnership with Friends Aware which began over 50 years ago. ACM’s main campus is located in Maryland’s Allegany County, with branch locations in Pennsylvania’s Bedford and Somerset Counties. ACM offers internships through their Human Service Program and Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. They use FAI’s Life Enrichment Center as a non-traditional internship to provide students with experience in working with adults with disabilities. Today that partnership has grown to include additional cooperative efforts, such as ACM’s Disability Services and Learning Support Office which offers assistance to individuals from Friends Aware who attend college courses or certification programs.

ATK was recognized as the 2013 Business Partner of the Year for providing exceptional employment services and opportunities to individuals receiving services from Friends Aware. The award was accepted by Jim Tedesco, ATK Director of Mission Assurance. ATK is an aerospace, defense and commercial products company that operates in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally. Their partnership with FAI began over 40 years ago. ATK provides a myriad of contractual employment to individuals receiving services from the Friends Aware Life Enrichment Center. ATK holds to the value of employment opportu-nities for all persons, especially those facing some barriers to employment in our community. In recent years Friends Aware has worked on more than 20 different contracts for ATK.

The Karen Marie Howell Helping Hands Award recipient for 2013 was Florence Jessie, for her outstanding character and willingness to help others. The award was established, through the generosity of the Howell Family, in memory of the late Karen Marie Howell who attended FAI for 27 years.

Friends Aware Employee of the Year was awarded to April Harden, Community Living Assistant, for her exceptional performance and dedication.

Staff Celebrates Years of Service 30 Years of Service… Libi Williams-Ziler 20 Years of Service… Kathleen Breighner Debra Oates 10 Years of Service… Rita Crites Jennifer Mason Nancy Weisenmiller 5 Years of Service… Dawn Adams Jennifer Brown Chaquita Faison Mary Caite Hannon Holly Lavin Shane Leatherman Beverly Mabee Lester Mullenax Susan Pollock David Titchnell

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Allegany College of Maryland receiving the Community Partner of the Year Award (L to R): Mary Bond, FAI Board President; Dr. David Hinds, ACM Vice-President of Instructional Affairs; Dr. June Bracken, ACM Coordinator of Disability Services; Cherie Snyder, ACM Professor of Human Services Associate; Teresa Waugerman, ACM Professor of Occupational Therapy Assistant; and Dr. Cynthia Bambara, ACM President, receiving the award from Robert Godfrey, FAI Executive Director.

ATK—Business Partner of the Year (L to R): Jim Tedesco, ATK Director of Mission Assurance; Joe Arnone, ATK Material Planner; Robert Godfrey, FAI Executive Director; and Troy Thomas, ATK Director of Business Systems.

Christopher Howell (left) presents the Karen Marie Howell Helping Hands Award to Florence Jessie.

April Harden, Employee of the Year

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Page Two • Winter 2014

On December 28, 2013 Adam Lazarus became the third Eagle Scout of Troop 89 in Cumberland, MD. Adam’s Eagle Scout project was to rebuild the C&O Canal Handicapped Fishing Dock located at Lock 70, Battie Mixon Pond in Oldtown. Dan Filer with the Cumberland-based National Park Service team stated “Adam exemplified the very best of the beliefs and values behind the Boy Scout organization while working towards his Eagle Scout Achievement at the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Always excited and motivated, Adam inspired others around him to perform at their best for the good of the park.”

Adam’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held at 9 North Meeting Centre, where he was joined by fellow scouts Keith Gillman, Jake Reynolds, Jeff Pendergast, Bill Sell, Johnnie Barger (currently working on his Eagle Scout) and fellow Eagle Scout Brian Evans. Troop 89 Leaders included Scoutmaster Jon Schadt, Assistant Scoutmasters Brent Chippendale and Jim Ruppert, and Assistant Scoutmaster Doug Schwab, who guided the audience through the Court of Honor. Also participating were Eagle Scouts Dave Best, David Collins, and Laurel Highlands District Executive Ross Kiddy.

Adam joined Troop 89 in 1996 and had the goal of attaining Eagle Scout from day one. He has held just about every office in the troop. Adam graduated from Allegany High School in 2000. He studied broadcasting at the Center for Career and Technical Education in Cresaptown, where he hosted the “Adam Mark Show” on radio and TV. Adam has attended Friends Aware for the past 13 years and is currently working at Western Maryland Health System. His boss and co-workers say that “Adam is very well-liked by people in the community and he exhibits special traits that are in the Scout Law. He keeps his work area clean, he is helpful, friendly, courteous and kind to family members, visitors, patients, and staff members. Adam takes directions well and is committed to exceeding customer expectations.”

Troop 89 is a Scout Troop for youth and adults with developmental disabilities and severe physical challenges. The Troop is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and Alhambra Wamba Caravan #89. Troop 89 is currently looking for new Scouts and leaders. If interested, please contact Doug Schwab at doug@dougschwab.net, or visit Troop 89 online at www.troop89bsa.org.

Adam Lazarus receives his Eagle Scout award.

Spotlight… Adam Lazarus

FAI SupportsToys for Happiness

Presenting toys collected from Friends Aware’s 6th Annual Toy Drive (L to R): Robert Godfrey, FAI Executive Director; Chuck Koelker, Toys for Happiness Chair; Kathleen Breighner, FAI Community Relations & Resource Development Director; and Susan Kilduff, Friends Aware.

Wrapping gifts for Toys for Happiness at the Country Club Mall are (L to R): Ava Breighner, Christina Sherman, Frank Gaughan and Angela Rudd.

Dean Thomas and Amanda Rotruck enjoy a slow dance together.

The Friends Aware Social Committee held their Annual Holiday Dance on December 13, 2013 at Windsor Hall.

FAI Holiday Dance

FAI Board of Directors

Newly Elected Board President Mary Bond (left) with FAI Executive Director Robert Godfrey.

Friends Aware recently welcomed Mary Bond as the new board presi-dent during a recognition ceremony. Also elected were new board members Nicholas J. Monteleone and Tom Hartsuch, and returning board mem-bers Ray A. Bittner, Vonanita Collins, Dottie Turner, and Bill Wilhelm.

Winter 2014 • Page Three

14th Annual BAND BLITZ WEEKEND

Friday, March 28, 20145:30 p.m. to ?

Saturday, March 29, 201412:00 noon to ?

at theCumberland Outdoor Club

$10.00/person each day

All Ages Welcome!

All Proceeds to BenefitArea Individuals with

Developmental Disabilities

Susquehanna Bank Contributes

Susquehanna Bank presents a donation of $1,000 to Friends Aware’s “Building Independence” Capital Campaign.Left to Right: Ray Bittner, FAI Building Project Chair; Christopher Howell, FAI Capital Campaign Chair; Lee Anne Santiago, FAI Board Past-President; Kathy Getty, Susquehanna Bank Regional President; Robert Godfrey, FAI Executive Director; and Kathleen Breighner, FAI Community Relations & Resource Development Director.

United Commercial Travelers Donation

Jearald Allen of United Commercial Travelers Cumberland Council No. 179 (left) presents a check for $2,000 to FAI Executive Director Robert Godfrey for the Capital Campaign Fund. United Commercial Travelers is a nonprofit financial services membership organi-zation with more than 70,000 members in the United States and Canada.

2014… The Year of Friends Aware!

In recognition of Friends Aware’s 60th year of service to the community, the Cumberland Mayor and City Council recently proclaimed the year 2014 to be “The Year of Friends Aware.”

Left to Right: Nicole Wagoner, Councilwoman; Nicholas Scarpelli, Councilman; Mary Bond, FAI Board President; Kathleen Breighner, FAI Community Relations & Resource Development Director; Brian Grim, Mayor; Robert Godfrey, FAI Executive Director; Bill Brotemarkle, Friends Aware; Dave Caporale, Councilman; and David Kauffman, Councilman.

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Contributorsto the

“Building Independence”Capital Campaign

October 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013

Champion… $1,500 - $9,999

United Commercial Travelers (Mr. Jearald Allen)

Western Maryland Building & Construction Trades Council

Hero… $50 - $1,499

Mr. James Zamagias, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mattingly

Staggers, Heare & Whitman, P.A.

Ms. Patricia Hilton

Rocky Gap Casino Resort

Opposite Genders

Susquehanna Bank

For more information on Friends Aware’s“Building Independence” Capital Campaign,

or to make a contribution online, visitwww.friendsaware.org. Contributions mayalso be made by phone at 301-722-7268.

“Building Independence” Capital Campaign

PRSRT STDNONPROFIT

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

CUMBERLAND, MDPERMIT NO. 963

FAI Info is designed and produced by GGI Advertising, a division of General Graphics, Inc.

1601 Holland StreetCumberland, MD 21502Phone: 301-722-7268 • Fax: 301-724-8965www.friendsaware.org

Officers of the Board:Mary Bond, President • Ray A. Bittner, Vice-President • Frank Billard, Secretary • Mirjhana Buck, Treasurer

Executive Director:Robert Godfrey

Gifts

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Gifts Friends Aware

ContributorsThank You forYour GenerousDonations!Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Winner

Ms. Shirley Brooks

Mr. & Mrs. Albert James

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Boggs

Ms. Dorothy Turner

GFWC Western Maryland Community Club

Ms. Sue Buehler

Ms. Sapna Nagabhushan

Mr. & Mrs. John Yates

Ms. Norma Pfister

Truist Bank

Ms. Carol Kauffman

Mr. Jeff Kirk

J. Rowland Circle of Melvin United Methodist Church

Ms. Noreen Murray

Mr. & Mrs. John Ralston, Sr.

Mr. Dennis Bernard

Ms. Cyril Johnston

Mr. Thomas Burton

W.A. Hedrick Photography

For the third consecutive year, “Getting Clean with Dean” was held to benefit the Family Crisis Resource Center. Dean Thomas rallied the support of everyone at Friends Aware for his cause, collecting supplies for children and families in need. Dean is passionate about helping others and is an inspiration to all those whose lives he has touched.

Left to Right: Lorrie Dunn and Taness Cline of the Family Crisis Resource Center, with Friends Aware’s Dean Thomas and Kathleen Breighner.

Getting Clean with Dean

Allegany College of Maryland Interns

Jeff Brandenburg (left) with ACM OTA Student.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Students from Allegany College of Maryland participated in a variety of activities during a five-week internship at the Friends Aware Life Enrichment Center. They worked to develop an understanding of the skills and needs of adults with disabilities.