Welcome Bienvenir Willkommen

Benvenuto Boa Vinda Bienvenido

by: Susan S. Russo

We say "welcome" almost without thinking: "Welcome to our home," we say to our friends. We welcome students at the opening of our schools in September. We welcome our friends to our Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Christening, etc....

Are we conscious of what we do and say?

Do we really think about the many ways we have of saying "WELCOME"?

Body Language is a very powerful form of communication. Our Theresa could not speak, but we knew when she was happy, or sad, and when she felt bad.

Your smile, your outstretched hand that is your body language saying "WELCOME."

One of the many reasons we started the Theresa Foundation was to WELCOME Theresa's friends into the world of Recreation, Art, Music and Dance. We wanted to help other parents, teachers, friends and family members open doors and say,

"Come in ... try this ... have fun!"

These special activities are often taken for granted by most of us ... activities that many young children (with special needs) in Theresa's age group were not exposed to in their lives.

The world has come a long way since "lil' Tee" was born in 1986. I'd like to think that all of us have embraced these changes with our voices and our body language, which express our welcome and acceptance of all special children.

Change is good. Change is healthy. We welcome change ...

Happy Holidays to you all as we welcome a new year. We are looking forward to many exciting, new projects in 2003!

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Art Therapy Program

Cleary School for the Deaf 301 Smithtown Boulevard Nesconset, New York 11767-2077 631-588-0530 (V & TTY) FAX 631-588-0016 September 11, 2002 Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Russo The Theresa Foundation 91 Biarritz Street Lido Beach, New York 11561-51201 Dear. Mr. & Mrs. Russo: Your generous grant check for $1,000 is very much appreciated. It was a pleasure working with you to promote your wonderful work. I have notified Nancy Tenure, our Art Teacher, of the grant. She was delighted. She will keep track of the expenditures and we will periodically update you. Please feel free to visit our program at any time. May you be blessed in all your endeavors. Sincerely, Sister Catherine Fitzgibbon, CSJ Superintendent

 

WORKING ORGANIZATION FOR RETARDED CHILDREN & ADULTS, INC. 1979 Marcus Avenue, Suite E140, Lake Success, NY 11042 (516) 327-9560/61 (718) 539-4755 • Fax: (516) 327-9582 (516) 327-9548 www.worca.org September 11, 2002 Ms. Susan S. Russo Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation 91 Biarritz Street Lido Beach, NY 11561-51201 Dear Ms. Russo: Thank you for your contribution of $1,000.00 in support of the Working Organization For Retarded Children & Adults' (WORC) Music & Art Therapy Program. This letter also verifies that no goods or services were presented to you in exchange for your donation And that it is 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your generosity will help us to maintain this program and provide autistic children with the therapy needed to become more self-actualized. Within six months we will be sending you an update on this program and its participants. As you know, WORC provides comprehensive care to individuals with mental retardation, developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury. At present, the agency manages 26 group homes and 10 non-residential programs throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. In addition to providing quality care, WORC also provides this care in an efficient manner. In fact, as documented in the agency's latest audited financial report, 90 cents of every dollar donated to WORC is spent directly on the individuals in our care. If you have any questions about WORC or if you wish to visit our Music & Art Therapy program, please call me at 516-327-9560 ext. 241. Again, thank you for your support. Sincerely, Matthew P. Zebatto AED - Development & Public Affair

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"Art of Angels" – A True Celebration
Our “Gallery of Angels” at the
EIGHTH ANNUAL THERESA AWARDS

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Actual size 1" x 1"

Wear the beautiful "Theresa Angel" pin and show your support for the foundation dedicated to assisting children with disabilities and their families.

The "Theresa Angel" is available with three different attachments as follows:

• Military Clutch - This is the standard backing on most lapel pins which requires the back to be pinched in order to release the backing from the post.
• Deluxe (Jewelers) Clutch - The stem of the pin is longer than the one used with the military clutch. This has a tighter fitting backing with a round ball at the top. The tighter fit helps in preventing the backing from movement when attached to clothing.
• Bail - This is a loop attached to the back of the angel which allows it to be attached to a necklace.

The price for the "Theresa Angel" is $10.00, which includes postage.

Please fill out the form below, print it, and mail it with your $10.00 payment for each pin to:

The Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation
91 Biarritz Street
Lido Beach, NY 11561

Name
Address 1
Address 2
City
State
Zip
Phone #
Please fill in quantity of each: Military Clutch Deluxe Clutch Bail
Thank you for your support!

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Join Our Gift of Life Program

Share the gift of life with special children

 

We wish to inform you that a gift has been received in honor of ________________________ in support of the THERESA FOUNDATION by ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ Sincerely yours, Susan S. Russo President

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The Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation, 91 Biarritz Street, Lido Beach, New York 11561

Please send me a supply of Gift of Life Cards.

Name
Address 1
Address 2
City
State
Zip
Referral: Please send a supply of Gift of Life Cards to:

Name
Address 1
Address 2
City
State
Zip

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Theresa Fun Day
by Alicia L. Hines

Theresa Fun Day - a day that was filled with laughter and happiness as we all gathered together and celebrated with family and friends for this special bowling event. Although the children were very energetic and excited to be there and to show off their remarkable bowling skills, so were the grown ups as they cheered for the younger ones to "Get that strike!"

There was plenty of goodies and prizes to go around. Between the laughter, the applause and the sound of falling bowling pins, there were raffling of prizes and cheering for the winners as the raffle numbers were called and the winners realized they had Hit the Jackpot! There were two Grand Prize raffles of four Broadway tickets to "Into the Woods", which were donated by WHLI, and won by Ms. Linda C. Roberts and Mr. Michael medolla. We all hope they will enjoy the show!

As we all came together for this very special cause, there was something there that was bigger than all the scores combined, and that was the countless efforts of Vincent and Susan Russo, parents of Theresa Alessandra Russo and mentors to us all.

The Theresa Foundation has been a Godsend for countless children and their families. Providing everyday activities for children with disabilities is a very important and worthwhile mission. The Foundation strives to make this happen for many children and their parents through special grants and fund raisers throughout the year.

Alicia L. Hines is a Volunteer of the Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation

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Smiles, Styles and Spirit

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In her quiet presence Theresa touched many lives, and her message lives on in each of us. She brought courage to silence, peace to the soul, divine love to the heart.

www.theresafoundation.org

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