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Chattin' w/ the Board
Georgene Crowe
"2011 marks the first time we will have a non-profit booth at Northwest World Reggae Festival Aug. 12-14. We're spreading our One Love story for all 3 projects in Jamaica, and concentrating on recruiting volunteers for SuperKids Literacy Project."
Gretchen Lee
"We are currently seeking 2 new board members with a background in education. We would love to have an educator on the board with Jamaican ties or roots! We are always open to suggestions and referrals so put your thinking caps on and send us a note."
Dr. CR Anderegg
"We're proud we'll get to be a part of the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (the biggest dental conf. in the northwest, located in Seattle Washington). The conference takes place June 16-17. Drop by to say hi to my staff - Pat, Marla, Brittny and Karen."
Kate Wasserman
"We are going to party just like we're in Jamaica at this year's Ashland Fundraiser. The theme this year is a Jamaican Yard Party, Families Helping Families. There will be fun and entertainment for the whole family."
Brad Adams
"SuperKids will be offering computer training for Jamaican teachers this summer. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) students will conduct classes at two rural schools near Negril. The Jamaican teachers will learn how to use the computers, how to teach a computer curriculum, maintain the computer labs and troubleshoot hardware. These have been missing in our SuperKids computer program. We need to help the teachers help the kids."
Derek Bentoff
"I'm always trying to find new ways to network and recruit new volunteers for Great Shape! Inc. I'm really looking forward to the Jamaican Yard Party this year!"
Brenda Puckett
"Aside from recruiting volunteers, I've been a long time volunteer myself (since 2005). Recently, I created and conducted a performance appraisal tool to evaluate the Executive Director and I'm currently working on Great Shape's employee handbook."
Bob Patillo
"I am building a portable sealants unit, it is a work in progress... but I'm feeling pretty confident, after-all, our tubing system worked last year!"
Harvey Arnce
"We got to share our story and had tons of interest at the Western Regional Dental Convention in Phoenix. About 70 people gave us their name and number. A big thanks to Dr Dustin Slunaker, Marcia Paquin RDH and Steve Curtis for helping to spread the word for Great Shape!"
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Wish List
Dental supplies * Prescription Glasses * Sports Gear * New Books & Toys * Art Supplies * Computer Gear
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Great Shape! Inc. Appreciates...
Dr. Ken Ehlers
Owner of Ashland Optical Expressions
For every pair of prescription glasses bought from Dr. Ehlers, he is donating a pair to Great Shape! Inc. iCare Vision Project. Great Shape! is so grateful for Dr. Ken's continued generosity and support of our projects.
Signs Now Spokane
Great Shape! Inc. is blessed! For the first time ever, we have a professional set of vibrant banners to promote our projects. Need design work or signs? Check out Signs Now Spokane. Signs Now Spokane has been extremely generous with design work and products. Thank you!
Wimzie Prints
Special thanks to Designer Tanya Smith. She is donating 50% of all sales to Great Shape! Inc. from this series of greeting cards. Check out Wimzie Prints!
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Sealant Team
prevention is rad!
(...and you can join the Nov. team)
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Children in the Negril area are now part of a long-dreamed of "Sealant Project." Great Shape! Inc., Sandals Resorts International, and the Jamaican Ministry of Health spent the last couple of years planning and this spring we launched a program to prevent carries.
Kerrie Ransome, a dental hygienist who volunteered this May said, "In two weeks we provided the children of Green Island school with oral hygiene and nutritional information, placed sealants, and applied fluoride varnish. We met with the teachers, administrative staff and parents. Our hope was to form a partnership with all parties concerned and share information while learning from one another."
This enthusiastic partnership, is already working:
- 500 sealants for 77 children
- Fluoride for 250 children
- Examined sealant retention rates for those we placed in November 2010
- 97% of those sealants still fully in place
- Reapplied fluoride to the students included in the research project
If you are interested in being a part of this groundbreaking project you can sign up to join us for the Negril Sealant Project in the fall!
October 28 - November 7
To register follow this link. Apply for 1000 Smiles, Week 5, and in the 'notes section' of your application type that you're applying for the November Sealant Team.
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Ships and Planes... on the horizon
"A big thank you to Seaboard Marine who has become a Great Shape! sponsor this year. Seaboard is providing us with a generous discount to ship two containers of supplies from Miami to Montego Bay. This allows Great Shape! to use even more dollars, in country, to benefit the thousands of Jamaicans we serve each year. We are proud our humanitarian efforts are recognized by Seaboard Marine and look forward to many years of partnership."
~ Steven Stern, iCare Program Director
"We've had positive feedback from major airline carriers regarding discounted airfares for Great Shape! volunteers. It's not a done deal, but we hope to secure several airlines in discounting fares by 25% to help ease the cost and help the carrier capture more of our business. Keep your fingers crossed."
~ Dr. Harvey Arnce, GS! Inc. Board Member
BIG UP to our volunteers for so much
hard work!!!
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SuperKids 2011
Literacy... "it's something no one can take away from you!"
Catchin' Up with Georgene Crowe, SuperKids Co-Director
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The SuperKids literacy project is movin' West this year. The west of Jamaica that is. We will work in Hanover & Westmoreland Parishes. Negril, 7 miles of white sand beach, here we come! SuperKids is also adding a two person medical team to offer basic medical & vision screening in our five partner schools. We'll also expand and refine the Environmental "Green Team" program for SuperKids 2011.
for an application or call 541-708-0447.
Dates & Location
Negril
Week 1: November 4 to November 12
Week 2: November 12 to November 21
Both Weeks: November 4 to November 21
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Living in the USA...
Richard Cameron is a Jamaican who has been trained by Great Shape! to build and care for our dental equipment and clinics. He's currently in the U.S., after earning an internship with
Patterson Dental in WA state.
"The work with Patterson has been so great. The technicians are teaching me a lot and we are having a great time working together - this is Patterson's first time hosting an intern and they're doing a fantastic job. I am very grateful. I have seen so much in the states already... besides all the hard work, I've been snowboarding, to Hollywood, and Disneyland! It has been amazing, thank you to Papa Joe, Bob, and Great Shape! for leading me here."
~ Richard Cameron
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Improving Vision Across the Island
iCare 2011
By: Steven Stern, iCare Program Director
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This year marks the 3rd year of iCare! Volunteers will provide two weeks of eye care, one in Montego Bay and the other in Ocho Rios. RN's will also provide medical screenings.
*To read more of Steven's interview, please click iCare 2011.
Want to register with iCare? Please email icare@gsjamaica.org for an application, or call 510-893-1751 for more information.
Dates & Locations
Montego Bay
Week 1: October 7 to October 17
Ocho Rios Week 2: October 14 to October 24 (VOSH-NW) Return to Top |
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For RN's interested in the medical portion of our projects please visit: Nursing Volunteer Information
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Sparkling-up Smiles
1000 Smiles 2011
Some Q 'n A with: Joseph Wright, Executive Director & Program Director |
Joseph (AKA Papa Joe):
This year we are expecting over 240 volunteers... a new record!
At Sandals' request 1000 Smiles will move the (usual) Negril session to the Whitehouse area. We'll serve new rural communities that have had very little dental care in the past, although we'll really miss our friends and communities in the Hanover Parish.
I've been in Jamaica the past month with the Sealant team, plus we've chosen the communities and clinic sites for the upcoming Whitehouse session. Let me tell you, Sandals Whitehouse is a seriously luxurious resort!
*For the 411 on 1000 Smiles and the complete interview with Papa Joe, click 1000 Smiles 2011.
If you want to help create beautiful smiles for thousands of Jamaicans, change lives, and have fun... sign-up now!
To register, please follow this link: 1000 Smiles Application and contact Tiffany with any questions 1000smiles@gsjamaica.org
Dates & Locations
Ocho Rios
Week 1: September 23 to October 1
Week 2: October 1 to October 10
Both Weeks: September 23 to October 10
Montego Bay
Week 3: October 14 to October 22
Week 4: October 22 to October 31
Both Weeks: October 14 to October 31
Whitehouse
Week 5: November 4 to November 12
Week 6: November 12 to November 21
Both Weeks: November 4 to November 21
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Empowering Jamaican Children Since 1988
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