Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smithpeters is Gurdon's Easter Seals Ambassador

John Smithpeters is a very special little boy.

He was recently chosen to be a Love Train Ambassador for Easter Seals.

John is the seven-year-old son of David and Vickie Smithpeters of Gurdon. When John was born it was discovered he had cerebral palsy. At that time, John's parents made the decision to place him in the Easter Seals Children's Rehabilitation Center.

However, Vickie said, "It wasn't easy getting John into the facility. They have so many and they work so hard with each and every one of them."

Each day John receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as special education services. All will help him become independent.

With the help of the services offered at Easter Seals and the dedicated people working there, John has begun to feed himself and turn pages in a book. His favorite activity is playing in the water, like most kids his age do.

Easter Seals has been helping thousands of children for many years now. However, due to recent cuts by the government, most parents with children in the Easter Seals program have found it hard to continue with the service.

Vickie is a chairman on the Love Train and has worked hard to help keep the program running. Vickie said, "The recent cut in funding has really affected many families with loved ones at the Easter Seals facility. It costs $200 a day just for the children's room and that doesn't include therapy. I just can't imagine if we didn't have it."

Each year the Love Train raises money to benefit the children at Easter Seal's. This year's goal is $425,000. Chairmen are selected and each chairman sets their own goal to reach. The money raised by each chairman goes towards the $425,000 goal.

With Vickie as a chairman, John has been selected to be her Ambassador.

Ambassador's help give Easter Seals a face and not just a name. Each of these Ambassadors has shown progress from being at Easter Seals.

Therefore, Center Grove Methodist Church will be having a singing, fundraiser and auction on April 13 to benefit Easter Seals.

There will be a hamburger supper starting at 5:30 p.m. and then followed by a cake auction and gospel singing. On hand for entertainment will be Renewal-"the new generation", Messengers for the Master and Messenger of Song.

A love offering will also be taken to benefit the children of Easter Seals.

If you would like more information or need directions to the church, you may call Vickie at (870) 353-6428.