Impact
A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS, FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS OF THE LEARNING TREE
Honeywell Heroes Give McLain
Street Group Home a Facelift
More than 15 volunteers from Honeywell’s Anniston facility and many
Learning Tree staff joined forces to provide major repairs, landscaping, and other
improvements to the Learning Tree’s McLain Street group home in Gadsden.
The group renovated the garage, replacing the roof and siding, repairing the
driveway, replacing gutters and bathroom windows, tree removal, and general
gardening. Honeywell donated all the materials in addition to the volunteers’
time on the project and all major machinery needed.
“It’s really exciting to see the volunteers from our site give of their time and
resources to help our community. Our people are our most important asset, and
they truly set the Anniston site apart. I’m proud of the work they accomplish each
year and hope their hard work will be a benefit to the community for years to
come,” said Nathan Holmes, site leader for the Anniston facility.
The project is part of ongoing Housing & Shelter efforts through Honeywell
Hometown Solutions. Since 2003, more than 15,500 Honeywell volunteers and
national corporate partner Rebuilding Together have repaired more than 490
homes and non-profit centers in Honeywell communities in the United States,
Canada and Mexico, rehabilitating and revitalizing low-income housing, schools,
and other community assets. The Learning Tree is proud to be selected for the
Honeywell Hometown Solutions project for a second year. •
“Our people are our
most important asset"
– Nathan Holmes
Boots and Bow Ties Event Set for February
at Lazenby Farms
WINTER 2015 ISSUE:
The first annual “Boots and Bow Ties” western style gala will be
held on Friday, February 27, 2015 at Lazenby Farms in Auburn. It will
be a night of fun, food and music with friends beginning at 6:30 p.m.
with heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beverages, and a huge silent
auction. We encourage everyone to wear your fabulous boots and bow
ties….however any dressy casual wear is acceptable. For even more
fun we will have poker, black jack, roulette and more! With each ticket
purchased, guests will receive $500 of play money and a raffle ticket to
be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the evening. Tickets
are $50.00/person and all proceeds will benefit The Little HAPIE Tree
Preschool in Auburn and the
Residential school in Tallassee. To
pre-register or for more information
call Stephanie Weldon at (334)
415-9372 or email sweldon@
learning-tree.org. •
Chip In for Autism Golf Tournament • Angling for Autism • New Board Members and Staff
Winter 2015
Volume 3 • Issue 1
http://www.learning-tree.org
Established in 1983, The Learning
Tree, Inc. is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to children and adolescents
with significant educational, medical,
and behavioral challenges; helping
them develop and maintain a quality of
life expected by non-disabled members
of their family and community.
The Learning Tree is governed by a
volunteer board of directors, representative of the primary service areas in
the State of Alabama.
Board of Directors
Mike Marion
Nathan Handmacher
Dr. John Caldwell
Dr. David Ellis
Samuel Junkin
Allison Kendall
Dr. Sam Perna
Dr. Marcia Rossi
Dr. Jim Siders
This newsletter is published by The
Learning Tree, Resource Development
Department compiled and distributed
by coordinating offices located in these
Alabama cities:
Anniston/Jacksonville
Auburn/Tallassee
Mobile
The Learning Tree, Inc.
Administrative Office
101 S. Dubois Street
PO Box 780639
Tallassee, AL 36078
334-252-0025
Executive Director
Dr. Marc Williams
Regional Director-Anniston/Jacksonville
Pat Murphy
Regional Director-Auburn/Tallassee
Whitney Hester
Regional Director-Mobile
Juanita Williams
Operations Director
Ben Rogers
Resource Development Director
Sheila Sears
Member of the
Alabama Autism
Providers Network
Collaborating,
Advocating and Caring
for People with ASD
www.al-autismproviders.net
2
Message from the Executive Director,
Dr. Marc Williams:
As another year comes to a close it is likely all of us will spend
some time in reflection about the past year. For us, most importantly,
we have held fast to our mission by serving more than 400 children
from across the state. We have enjoyed many successes this past year
and I feel as though we are on the right course for even greater positive
growth.
On behalf of the children we serve I want to express my
sincere appreciation to our hard working employees who continue
to demonstrate their dedication, many times giving beyond our
expectations. And, to our board members who serve with integrity, without compensation for their time
and service. I also want to thank those donors and funders who continue to invest in our programs,
year after year, helping so many children and families.
Moving forward to a New Year we will continue to need your support. I hope that you will renew
your commitment to children and the important work of The Learning Tree in 2015. •
The Learning Tree Welcomes New Board Members
Two new members were added to The Learning Tree Board of Directors this fall, Dr. Jim Siders
of Tuscaloosa and Samuel Junkin of Fayette. Both will serve a two year term.
Dr. Jim Siders is currently Department Head and an
Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education
and Multiple Abilities. He has also served as Co-Director
of the CrossingPoints Program. CrossingPoints is a model
transitional program collaboratively serving youth from the
local city and county school systems as they complete their
programs. Jim has held national office with the Council for
Exceptional Children as a member of the Executive Board
for a three-year term and also as President of the Teacher
Education Division. He has also served on a local school board
for 11 years in Mississippi, which led to his appointment to
the Mississippi School Boards Board of Directors. Jim has a
number of national and state presentations in topics ranging
from assessment and intervention to technology integration
Dr. Jim Siders
to better meet the of
individuals with a variety of
special education rulings. Course offerings focus on family
considerations to meet the needs of children and youth with
intellectual disabilities, behavior management, and survey of
exceptional children required of all teachers in order to obtain
certification.
Samuel Junkin graduated from the University of Alabama
in 1997 with B.S. in Marketing. Graduated from the University
of Alabama School of Law in 2000. He is currently managing
Partner of Junkin, Pearson, Harrison, Junkin & Pate, LLC, a
general litigation firm. Mr. Junkin is also a licensed local pastor
within the United Methodist Church, currently serving under
appointment as an Associate Pastor at Fayette First United
Methodist Church. •
Samuel Junkin
The HPC Specialty Pharmacy 4th
Annual “Chip in for Autism”
Golf Tournament
The HPC Specialty Pharmacy 4th Annual “Chip in for Autism” Golf
Tournament, benefiting Woody’s Song School was held in September,
raising $30,000. More than 80 golfers took to the greens at Azalea City
Golf Course. This event wouldn’t be possible without the hard work
and dedication of Woody’s Song School mom, Cindy Fulford, and all
the families that work so tirelessly to make it a success. Dinner was
provided by The Hungry Owl restaurant. Many thanks to Title Sponsor
HPC Specialty Pharmacy and other sponsors. •
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Brindlee Moutain Fire Apparatus, LLC
C Spire
The Hungry Owl
Jones Walker, LLP
Mobile Premier Pediatric Dentistry
Nicholas Insulation
PNC Bank
Providence Hospital
Seibert, Baxter & Co., PC
In Memory of Lillian Stanford Sykes –
The Sykes Family
Gold Sponsor
AltaPointe Health Systems
Philip Epstein
Firetrol Protection Systems
The Iqbal Family
The Orthopaedic Group
Saad Development Group
The Starr Family
Stirling Properties
Willis
Hole Sponsor
Debra Aronson
Dalton Boyinton
Burben Sullins Insurance Group
Byers, Byers & Associates, PC
Amber Carmichael
Clark, Geer, Latham & Associates
James Sears, David Ellis and
Jim VanHannigan
Todd Villareal and Ethan Newberry
Pictured L to R are Jeb
Fulford, Jules Starr, Gary
Fulford and Jimmy Fulford.
Cottage Hill Civitan
Robert Cummins, State Farm
Delivery Dudes
Diversified Roofing Services, Inc.
Joe & Shirley Eiland
Express Oil Change
The Forsman Family
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Forsman
Nicky & Jaclyn Foster
Hargrove Engineers +
Constructors
Individual & Family Support
Instrument Technical Services
Houston Jones Fan Club
The Karavokiros Family
Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance
Mellow Mushroom
New Horizon Credit Union
Paige Norris
Schmitz Photography
SEC Properties
Kate Simm
Smith, Dukes & Buckalew, LLP
Grace Strickland
John Toomey & Company
United Cerebral Palsy
University of South Alabama
Autism Diagnostic Clinic
University of South Alabama
Psychology Department
Wells Fargo
Angling for Autism a Huge Success!
Bob Corbman, Head Coach of the Wetumpka
Fishing Team helps with weigh-in.
First place team Michael Ward and Brandon
Pritchard with Stephanie Weldon.
The first annual Angling for Autism fishing tournament
was a huge success. It was held September 20, 2014 at
Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City. Thirty boats
registered in hopes to win the top prize of $1,500.
Ten places were paid out with an optional big fish
pot with a 70/30 split. There was also $100.00
prize for the top parent/child team and a $100.00
prize for the top male/female team. The first place
winner was Michael Ward and Brandon Pritchard
with the highest weight of 14.97 lbs. They also
won the big fish pot which was $210. Second place;
Tim Hatcher and Travis Northy with 13.13lbs and
second big fish of $90. Third place; Daniel Briggs, Sr. and
Daniel Briggs, Jr. They also won the $100 parent/child team.
Fourth place: Ken Walters and Ernie Faulkner. Fifth place: Kelly Jaye and Blaine Freeman.
Sixth Place: Chris Miller and Elijah Miller. Seventh place: Randall Baker and Dennis Osborne.Eighth place: Mike McCullars and Steve Winslett. Ninth place: Joe Wikoff and Shawn
Wikoff. Tenth place: Danny Pollard and Brandon Williams. The prize for top male/female
team ($100) went to Ricky and LaShanne Baker. We sincerely appreciate the support of all
of the anglers that participated. We also want to thank our sponsors - AES Industries; Winn
Dixie Stores, Inc.; Lyon, Fry, Cadden Insurance; PrimeSouth Bank; A.M.P.S.; Trustmark Bank,
Tallassee Kiwanis Club, John David Lambert and Tallassee Rotary Club. •
3
AUBURN/TALLASSEE REGION
Fuente family, Woodfaulk family and
the Rapp family.
Tallassee Tailgate BBQ Benefit
The Learning Tree teamed up with Judge Dale Segrest and the
Community Development Corporation again on October 11th
for the Tallassee Tailgate BBQ Benefit. The Learning Tree, Little
H.A.P.I.E. Tree Preschool staff and kids came out on Saturday and
worked to sell camp stew, boston butts, ribs and briskets. Thank
you to The Little H.A.P.I.E. Tree Preschool parents and staff. The
total sales for the event was $8,000.
A BIG thank you to the
Friday night crew that
organized the ingredients, prepared all of
the meat, and stayed
ALL night to cook;
Ramona and Randy
Norris, Bobby Robinson, Don Heacock,
Laurie and Rob Rygiel,
Heather Slifer, Wes
Palfrey, Phillip Whatley,
Whitney and Jason
Hester, Mark and Margaret Self, Brittney Lockhart and Stephanie
Weldon. And the Saturday crew that stirred the stew, prepared the
sandwiches, sold the meat and stayed for clean-up and breakdown; Whitney Hester, Traci Faulk, Kristen Davis, Brittney Lockhart,
Corinthian Gable, Kerrianne Castleberry, Haily Owen, Gail Sims, Liz
Burgess, Tara Rowe, Alx Kelley, Courtney Rhodes, Cody Lacey, and
our Learning Tree kids, PJ, TS, LS and DJ.
Elmore County Community Foundation Supports
The Learning Tree
The Elmore County Community Foundation recently
awarded a grant to The
Learning Tree school in
Tallassee. The grant will be
used to renovate the existing playground to help kids
develop their fine motor skills.
The Learning Tree Tallassee
campus serves 32 students.
The Elmore County Community Foundation is an affiliate
of Central Alabama Community Foundation and offers
citizens in Elmore County the
opportunity to build long-term
support for their community.
Kid’s Clothes Connection
A Thanksgiving Feast!
Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Caldwell for a wonderful Thanksgiving
feast! For the past two years Dr. John and Marjorie Caldwell have
provided a Thanksgiving feast for the staff and children of the
Tallassee campus. The Caldwell’s along with their other son Will,
provided lunch for around 50 staff and students.
Pictured L to R: Mrs. Marjorie Caldwell, JC, Will Caldwell and Dr. John Caldwell.
ANNISTON/JACKSONVILLE REGION
Youth Group makes a difference for Ballplay Group Home
Pictured L to R: Stephanie Weldon, ECCF
President, Burton Ward and Whitney Hester
The Little HAPIE Tree Preschool partnered with the Kids Clothes
Connection in September for the bi-annual consignment sale in the
Auburn area. Many thanks to the volunteers that helped sort, clean
and tag the merchandise; Jessica Zevac, Alison Hodge, Laura
Wildman, Beverly Adams, Jo Cope and April Rapp. The merchandise included gently-used clothing, small household electrics,
toys, bicycles, furniture, and baby gear. The sale event received
donations from approximately a dozen families and earned $750
for the preschool. Thank you to our donors who brought items to
the preschool; The Thompson family, Domingo-Lucas family, DeLa-
4
For the spring sale, they are setting
an even higher goal. Beginning now
through January 15th donations are
being accepted for re-sale. Please
keep us in mind as you clean closets and toy boxes during winter
break. In early January volunteers will be needed again to help
sort, clean, and tag merchandise. Call Stephanie Weldon at (334)
415-9372 if you would like to help.
The Cherokee Changers, a group of proactive youth from the Sand
Rock Baptist Church in Sand Rock Alabama, volunteered to give
the Jacksonville campus’ Ballplay group home some T.L.C. The
energetic group of young adults were led by Youth Director, Mr.
Terry Kisor and Chaperone, Mr. Greg Oliver. The group arrived at 9
am on Saturday morning - October 4th, with smiling faces. They
brought buckets, towels, paint, brushes, ladders and lots of energy
to give the group home a fresh coat of paint and a good cleaning.
Don Cotney, Operations Administrator, and Pat Murphy, Regional
Director of the Jacksonville residential program, attended the event
to express their appreciation and join in the work. The volunteers
quickly split up into project groups and started working on the
home. The results were amazing and greatly appreciated by the
three students who call Ballplay home. The staff and students of
the Jacksonville campus are very grateful for the hard work and
kindness of the Cherokee Changers and Sandrock Baptist Church.
ANNISTON/JACKSONVILLE REGION (cont.)
High Hopes for Regional Development Committee
The first Regional Resource Development committee has formed,
sharing a common interest, in increasing community awareness of
autism and to help grow fundraising efforts to support The Learning Tree programs in the Anniston-Jacksonville region. Community
support is integral to the Learning Tree’s success and we want
to express our deepest appreciation to The Committee: Mr. and
Mrs. Seth Johnson, Mr. Sam Pritchett, Mr. Sam Whorton, Dr. Jean
Pugliese, Ms. Kristie Warren, Mrs. Tammy Wigington, Mrs. Peggy
Owens, Mrs. Tanya Sexton, and Mrs. Georgia Johnson. “This
“Dream Team” is gearing up to help with the 2015 Aces for Autism
Gala and first ever FORE! the Kids benefit golf tournament,” says
Lisa Spurling, Resource Development Coordinator.
Pleasant Valley High School Homecoming to Remember
Jacksonville residential school student, Mr. Chris H., became the
first Learning Tree student to be nominated for the 2014 Pleasant
Valley Homecoming court on October 6th, 2014. Chris is a member of the PVHS choir; he enjoys playing basketball and leads the
football team out at pep rallies. Chris won the PVHS Talent Show
and was voted class favorite. His mother, Christina, escorted Chris
on to the field at the Homecoming game. The Learning Tree would
like to congratulate Chris and express our deepest appreciation
to the staff and student body of Pleasant Valley High School for
making his senior year a memorable experience.
Anniston Community Education
Foundation Award
The Anniston Community Education
Foundation (ACEF) is dedicated
to helping youth in targeted communities of Anniston. The belief
that “every child can and will learn with the proper educational
resources” is echoed throughout the Foundation’s work. The
Learning Tree is a recent recipient of the ACEF’s Small Grant for
$10,000 in support of the Love to Learn project for the Little Tree
Preschool program in Anniston. The Love to Learn project is a
comprehensive reading program designed to help children who
struggle with autism improve their literacy skills. We appreciate the
help and support of Mr. Kerwin Allen - Executive Director, Ms. Nicole Guyton, and the
entire ACEF Board
of Directors – Mrs.
Cynthia Calix, Mr.
Leon Garrett, Ms.
Shirley Carter, Dr.
Barbara Boyd, Mr.
David Baker, Ms.
Carol Kirk, Ms. Alma
Turner, Mr. Ernest
Washington, and Attorney Edward Still.
WalMart Community Giving
WalMart donated a $1,000 community grant awarded to the
Learning Tree residential school to support the educational program. Pumpkins were also donated for the Halloween celebration.
We appreciate the support of Manager, Sherri Nichols, and the
entire Jacksonville Wal-mart team!
Leadership Calhoun County Supports Local
Non-Profit Service Providers
The Learning Tree participated in the Leadership Calhoun County
Community Service Session in October at the Anniston Chamber
of Commerce led by the United Way of East Central Alabama. The
LCC’s goal is to expose it’s members to the health and human
service agencies in Calhoun County and to inspire its members to
increase their volunteer support and financial giving. Mr. Shannon
Jenkins, Executive Director of UWECA, and Mr. Tommy Goggans
of the Goggans Group in Anniston, Alabama led a panel of local
service providers in a question and answer panel to help increase
awareness of the work of local non-profit service providers. The
group also toured several area non-profits before returning to the
chamber for an in-depth group discussion.
First Annual Holiday
Helping Hearts Program
The first annual Holiday
Helping Hearts program was
a huge success. More than
ever before, 20 students
from the Jacksonville campus found themselves in need of a holiday sponsor. The call for
help was initially posted on The Learning Tree facebook page. It
took only 14 days for area businesses and local families to come
together to be sure that each student would have a wonderful time
at the annual campus holiday program. The Learning Tree would
like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make the holidays a joyful experience: Anniston Emergency Services, Mr. and
Mrs. Gary Wigington, Northside Baptist Church, Ms. Kristie Warren,
Sandrock Baptist Church, Piedmont Rescue, The Wolf Pack, Mr.
and Mrs. Seth Johnson, Clara’s Cause, Mr. David Gilmore, Mr.
Chuck Bath, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Nunez, Mrs. Peggy Owen and
Friends, Ms. Paige Morrison, The Woodard Family.
A New Driveway:
A Wonderful Gift
The Learning Tree residential
school is enjoying a new rear driveway thanks to Mr. David Haynes,
McCarty Construction, Minton
Grading, and Webb Concrete.
McCarty Construction generously
donated the gravel and materials
needed. Webb Concrete agreed
to haul the materials to campus
and our friends at Minton Grading
came in with heavy equipment to
grade and lay the new driveway.
Mr. Haynes, a former employee,
coordinated the project.
5
MOBILE REGION
Mobile ARC Awards
At the annual ARC meeting and
awards banquet Woody’s Song
School parent, Kerrie Benson,
was recognized as Volunteer of
the Year. She was selected for
her work developing a special
needs Sunday School class at
Cottage Hill Baptist Church and
a dance class for special needs
children, Dance Without Limits,
at Broadway South Dance
Studio.
dren. The “Let’s Get Growing” program offers the children the
opportunity to learn to maintain a garden while taking part in an
educational program on healthy eating and nutrition. As fruits and
vegetables are cultivated from the garden, the children will take
part in helping to prepare a healthy dish.
Puzzle Piece Dash held in November
The Puzzle Piece Dash was held on Saturday, November 15th at
the Little Tree Preschool, with proceeds benefiting The Learning
Tree and The Autism Society of Alabama. It was a chilly morning
with a great showing of support, close to 50 more runner/walkers
than the previous year. The festivities included the Shriner’s clowns,
a dj, popcorn, and face painting. More than $10,000 was raised!
Kerrie Benson, Volunteer of the Year
Colors For A Cause Fashion Show Recognizes
Woody’s Song School
Woody’s Song School was selected by Exalte Magazine to
represent autism in the First Annual Colors for a Cause Fashion
Show in August. Publisher Kymberly Soule selected agencies to
represent 11 different causes in the Mobile area. The guests were
treated to educational seminars, a luncheon and fashion show.
Each cause was represented by a different color. Woody’s Song
School’s own Director, Jules Starr, rocked the runway in puzzle
piece makeup to represent autism.
Payton Strickland
UMS Service Day at Preschool
On October 16th the 11th grade class of UMS-Wright Preparatory
School, participated in a Service Day. A fourth of the class spent
the morning at Little Tree Preschool cleaning out and planting
flower beds, cleaning and organizing classrooms, and assembling cabinets. The rest of the class spent the morning at three
residential homes. There they cleaned the yard, power washed
the houses, deep cleaned inside the homes and even did a little
decorating for Halloween with decorated pumpkins. The students
did an AMAZING job!
Rock Benson
The Charity Chase 5K Race
Learning Tree Adults Give Back to the Community
A.S., J.A. and B.P. spent the month of October working in the
Pumpkin Patch at Christ United Methodist Church. They were
responsible for making sure that the pumpkins stayed off the
ground and throwing the older pumpkins into the woods. B.P.’s
favorite job was throwing the pumpkins! The proceeds of the
Pumpkin Patch went to the Children’s Ministry at the church.
Junior League of Mobile Sponsors
“Let’s Get Growing” Program
Little Tree Preschool and Woody’s Song School were selected by
the Junior League of Mobile to participate in their Community
Impact initiative to promote good nutrition to school age chil-
6
Kerrie Benson, parent volunteer
The Charity Chase is a 5k race that allows you to compete on
behalf of your favorite nonprofit organization. If you select The
Learning Tree upon registration, we will automatically receive a
portion of your registration fee and we will be able to win even
more money based on your performance.
What: 5K Race benefitting Mobile’s non-profit organizations
When: Saturday, January 31st 2015 @ 8 am
Where: University of South Alabama Intramural Fields
Who: Many of Mobile’s non-profit organizations are participating in the event, but the more participants who choose to compete on
The Learning Tree’s behalf, the
greater the donation we will
receive!
Register online here:
http://www.thecharitychase.
com/
Registration forms also at
these locations:
McCoy Outdoor (Mobile)
Run-N-Tri (Mobile)
Running Wild (Fairhope)
The Honor Roll
1
FUNDING PARTNERS AND
OTHER SUPPORTERS
Alabama Dept. of Education
Alabama Dept. of Human Resources
Alabama Dept. of Mental Health
Auburn City Schools
Autism Speaks
Davis Direct, Inc.
Mobile County Public Schools
United Cerebral Palsy
United Way of East Central Alabama
Volunteers of America
JACKSONVILLE/ANNISTON
Anniston Community Education Foundation
Anniston Emergency Medical Services
Auburn University
Audra’s Flowers
Mr. Avery Autman
Mr. Chuck Bath
Ms. Tammie Bonner
Mr. Jerre Brimer
Ms. Terri Bullock
Ms. Tiffany Canady
Claira’s Cause
Cherokee Changers
Ms. Brittany Collier
Mr. and Mrs. Don Cotney
Ms. Tara Cunningham
Diamonds Direct
Davis Direct
Ms. Jenny Dooley
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Dooley
Ms. Tracy Edmondson
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Fellowship Sunday School Class
Ms. Ashley Fletcher
Mr. Clark Fletcher
Ms. Michelle Frames
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Freeman
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Fuller
Mr. David Gillmore
Ms. Pat Goodson
Mr. David Haynes
Honeywell Hometown Solutions – Anniston
Jacksonville State University –
Freshman Forum
Ms. Linda Johns
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Seth Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson
Mr. Chad Latta
The Little Tree Preschool
Ms. Jamie Logan
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marson
McCarty Construction
Mr. Gary McCurdy
Ms. Yvonne Miller
Minton Grading
Ms. Paige Morrison
Mr. Justin Mullins
Ms. Patricia Murphy
Ms. Donna Nolen
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Nunez
Ms. Peggy Owen
Ms. Krystal Owens
Piedmont Rescue Squad
Mr. Sam Pritchett
Ms. Kay Pope
Dr. Jean Pugliese
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ramage
Ms. Donna Ross
Mrs. Holly Rucker
Ms. Sarah Sanchez
Sandrock Baptist Church
Mr. and Mrs. Chad Sexton
Mr. and Mrs. Darren Spruill
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Spurling
Tile Liquidators in Gadsden
Mr. and Mrs. James Turner
United Way of East Central Alabama
University of Alabama
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Voss
Walmart
Ms. Kristie Warren
Webb Concrete
Mr. and Mrs. Dane White
Mr. Samuel Whorton
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wigington
Ms. Jennifer Williams
The Wolf Pack
Mrs. Jessica Woodard
Thank you to our friends and supporters. 2
Ms. Carrie Woodward
Mr. and Mrs. John Wythe
In honor of Lynn Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ramage
In-Kind Gifts
Davis Direct
Honeywell Hometown Solutions
JSU-Freshman Forum
McCarty Construction
Minton Grading
Mr. and Mrs. Chad Sexton
Mr. and Mrs. Seth Johnson
Mr. Clark Fletcher
Mr. David Haynes
Mr. Justin Mullins
Ms. Ashley Fletcher
Sandrock Cherokee Changers
Tile Liquidators in Gadsden
Webb Concrete
AUBURN/TALLASSEE
Ms. Shelley Airstrup
Ms. Melissa Armstrong
Mr. Radney Atchison
Ms. Teresa Atkins
Mr. Ben Atkinson
Ben Atkinson Motors
Mr. Frank Autry
Mr. Randall Baker
Mr. Ricky Baker
Ms. Deborah Bates
Mr. Jason Benton
Ms. Lacey Brewer
Ms. Shanna Brodbeck
Mr. Harold Bruner
Ms. Linda Bruner
Ms. Gail Burton
Ms. Melody Burton
Mr. Brian Henderson
Mr. and Mrs. John Caldwell
Ms. Kerrianne Castleberry
Ms. Amy Childress
Mr. Willie Christian
Ms. Tonya Clowdus
Ms. Wendy Coleman
Ms. Elyse Corbitt
Ms. Catharine Davis
Mr. Forrest D.
Mr. Casey Dubose
Ms. Teresa Estes
Ms. LaTonya Frazier
Ms. Cindy Gantt
Mr. Marc Gary
Ms. Nin Gauntt
Mr. Thomas Graham
Mr. Lee Greer
Ms. Julia Griffith
Ms. Judy Guim
Ms. Cassandra Hamiter
Ms. Celia Hamiter
Mr. Mike Hammonds
Ms. Janet Heacock
Ms. Whitney Hester
Ms. Alison Hodge
Ms. Ming House
Ms. Kim Hudson
Ms. Karen Hutchins
Mr. Steven Ingram
Mr. Kelly Jaye
Ms. Jennifer Jones
Mr. Nathan Kastner
Mr. Alex Kelley
Ki Young Kim
Kids Clothes Connection
Mr. William Kimrey
Ms. Brenda Knox
Ms. Leslie Krauss
Ms. Leigh Krehling
Soon Kwon
Mr. John David Lambert
Mr. Lucas Lindsey
Lyon, Fry, Cadden Insurance Co.
Ms. Dinah Motley
Mr. Jerry Newbolt
Ms. Amanda Nobles
Ms. Paige Norris
Ms. Verla Norris
Ms. Hilary Owen
Mr. Logan Parks
Ms. Barbara Patton
Ms. Wendy Peavy
Hon. Patrick Pinkston
Ms. Mary Pitts
Ms. Lynda Rainer
Ms. April Rapp
Ms. Dana Raughton
Ms. Ashley Reid
Mr. Adam Roberts
Ms. April Roberts
Ms. Nicole Roberts
Ms. Brenda Robinson
Ms. Tonya Rogers
Dr. Marcia Rossi
Rotary Club of Tallassee
Ms. Tara Rowe
Ms. Kami Scarborough
Ms. Gail Sims
Ms. Elza Smith
Hyejin Son
Ms. Joely Stewart
Mr. Alan Taunton
Ms. Sheila Taylor
Ms. Nancy Teel
Mr. William Thompson
Tigertown Veterinary Hospital
Mr. Jeffcoat Trant
Ms. Joyce Vella
Ms. Amanda Walker
Ms. Hannah Walker
Walmart
Mr. Ken Walters
Mr. Samuel Webster
Ms. Christi Weeks
Mr. Kyle Weeks
Mr. Billy Weldon
Ms. Elizabeth Wells
Ms. Jennifer Wheeler
Ms. Shawn Wikoff
Ms. Laura Wildman
Mr. Brandon Williams
Mr. Marc Williams
Ms. Margaret Williams
Winn Dixie Grocery Store
Ms. Beth Worthy
Ms. Jessica Zevac
In-Kind Gifts
Mr. Donnie Story/Profound Outdoors
Mr. Ben Taylor
Ms. Heather Weldon/Tiger Paw
MOBILE
ACG Maintenance Contractors, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. David Aldrous
Ms. Jane Allen
Mr. Leonard Allen
Allsource Mortgage, Inc.
Ms. Erin Anderson
Ms. Debra Aronson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Atkins
BDI
Ms. Allie Barker
Mr. and Mrs. John Baxter
Mr. and Mrs. Bart Benson
Mr. and Mrs. Justin Berman
Ms. Jana Blades
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Bosarge
Ms. Marian Boteler
Ms. Shannon Boykin
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Boyle
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bradley
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bramlett
Brickyard
Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Briskman
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bronstein
Burben Sullins Insurance Agency, Inc.
Byers, Byers & Associates, PC
Ms. Takia Carson
Mr. Eric Cash
Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Chatham
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Cieutat
Ms. Melanie Clark
Clark, Geer, Lathan & Assocdiates, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Clements
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cleveland
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cole
Ms. Norma Conrad
Cottage Hill Civitan Club
Ms. Vera Cowan
Mr. Kevin Crutchfield
CSpire
Mr. Robert Cummins
Mr. Mark J. Dabbs
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Daniel
Mr. Scott Day
Ms. Dorothy Dillard
Diversified Roofing Service, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dixon
Dixon Golf
Ms. Michelle Dooley
Mr. and Mrs. Clint Duncan
Ms. Adrian Dyer-Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Eiland
Mr. and Mrs. Van Elmore
Ms. Jennifer Engel
Mr. Philip Epstein
Mr. and Mrs. William Evans
Express Oil Change & Service
Firetrol Protection Systems
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Forsman
Mr. Victor Forsman
Mr. and Mrs. Nicky Foster
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Fowler
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Friedlander
Mr. O.E. Fryer
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Fulford
Mr. and Mrs. James Fulford
Ms. Stella Gamble
Mr . and Mrs. William Gamble
Mr. and Mrs. William Gamble
Mr. Harvey Gandler
Mr. Andrew Ghertner
Mr. and Mrs. Nate Ginsberg
Ms. Mara Gipson
Ms. Katie Goodloe
Ms. Jill Gottlieb
Dr. Laura Goulden
Ms. Terri Grodsky
Ms. Sondra Gurwitch
HPC Specialty Pharmacy, LLC
Dr. and Mrs. William R. Hammock, Jr.
Ms. Amanda Hamner
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Handwerger
Hands, LLC
Mr. Greg Harger
Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Ms. Lisa Harris
Mr. and Mrs. C. Hodges Harty, III
Ms. Tonja Haygood
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Holmes
Instrument Technical Services, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Ijaz Iqbal
Mr. and Mrs. Brett Jackson
Ms. Amber Jarvis
Ms. Virginia Jeffery
Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Johns
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Johnston, III
Jones Agency
Mr. and Mrs. Haney Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Harley Jones
Hon. Gordon B. Kahn
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Karavokiros
Ms. Mary Ann Killion
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Klein
Dr. and Mrs. George Koulianos
Mr. and Mrs. Neal Labovitz
Mr. Jeff LeBlanc
Seng Ai Liaw
Ms. Angel Loewen
Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Loper
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lunsford
Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Lyon, Jr.
Lyon, Fry & Cadden
Ms. Rebecca Maisel
Malbis Memorial Foundation
Marine and Industrial Supply
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mason
Ms. Mary Ann Mason
Mr. E.L. McCafferty
Dr. and Mrs. Robert McGinley
Mr. Jason McKenzie
Mr. Mac McPhillips
Ms. Cynthia McQuillen
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Melamut
Mellow Mushroom
Ms. Sharon Metcalfe
Mr. H. Michael Miller
Ms. Arlene Mitchell
Mobile Premier Pediatric Dentistry
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Moore
Ms. Norva Moss
Ms. Sherry Neese
New Horizons Credit Union
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Newberry
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Newbill
Nicholas Insulation Services, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. John Nix
Mr. and Mrs. Shane Nolen
Ms. Paige Norris
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Norris
The Orthopaedic Group
Ms. Heather Osborne
Mr. Harris Oswalt
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Otts
P & J, LLC
PNC Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Kent Partsch
Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Peebles
Ms. Marianne Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Norman D. Pitman, III
Mr. Marcus Pope
Precision Tool & Grinding
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Prehoda
Ms. Christy Price
Providence Hospital
Ms. Ann Rambeau
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rastani
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Reid
Ryan Reid Insurance Agency, Inc.
Mr. Monty Aaron Reyer
Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Rich
Ms. Dynashia Richardson
Ms. Erin Rockwell
Dr. and Mrs. Earl Rodgers
Mr. Kai Rogning
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Rowe
Russell, Thompson, Butler & Houston
Saad Development Group
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Saad
Ms. Evelyn Saucier
Ms. Kori Saucier
Ms. Hayden Scott
Dr. and Mrs. James Sears
Seibert, Baxter & Company
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sharpe
Mr. Michael Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. William Shulman
Mr. and Mrs. Toby Siegel
Porter Sue and Rhett Simpson
Mr. Catt Sirten
Smith, Dukes & Buckalew, LLP
Mr. and Mrs. David Stein
Mr. Jonathan Stein
Ms. Joan Stiff
Stirling Properties, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Carson Strickland
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sullivan
Ms. Eileen Susman
Mr. and Mrs. William Susman
Dr. Hanes Swingle
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Sykes
Ms. Danielle Mugnier Tapia
Mr. and Mrs. Lance Terry
Ms. Breanna Tharpe
Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson
John Toomey & Co., Inc.
My Thi K Tran and Kang L. Williams
Ms. Lisa Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Van Antwerp
Mr. James Van Haneghan and
Abigail Baker
Mr. Todd Vereen
WS Foundation
Jones Walker
Ms. Janine E. Wallace
Mr. Mark Wallace
Ms. Sarah Watson
Ms. Shannon Webb
Mr. and Mrs. John Weir
Wells Fargo
Willis of Alabama
Ms. Michelle Winstead
Mr. James Wishon
Ms. Miriam Worth
Ms. Jane Yance
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Young
Ms. Brandt Zornman
In memory of Madison Alexis Long
Mr. and Mrs. Van Elmore
Dr. and Mrs. George Koulianos
In-Kind Gifts
Ms. Laura Broadus
Mr. and Mrs. David Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Winstead
Listing reflects donations made August 1, 2014
through November 30, 2014.
7
Resource Development Office
205 Lambert Avenue, Suite D
Mobile, AL 36604
www.learning-tree.org
Welcome To Our New Staff!
Juanita Williams began her work in November as the Regional Director
in Mobile relocating from Atlanta, Georgia. She has a B.S. in Sociology
from the University of Missouri, and a M.S. in Educational Counseling
ABA from Cal-State, Los Angeles. She is a Board Certified Behavior
Analyst (BCBA) and has worked in the field for approximately nine
years. “We are fortunate to have Ms. Williams joining us,” said Dr. Marc
Williams, Executive Director. As a BCBA, she worked with children with
Autism (and other Developmental Disabilities) as a direct care therapist,
a supervisor, a Clinical Director, and a Regional Director in the home,
community, and school settings. Additionally, she taught several college
Juanita Williams
level courses in the field of ABA. Prior to the field of ABA, she worked
with the Los Angeles County Probation (as a Deputy Probation Officer I, II, and Supervising Deputy
Probation Officer) for almost 20 years.
SAVE THE DATES!
January 31st, 2015
The Charity Chase 5K
Mobile, AL
February 27th, 2015
Boots and Bow Ties
Auburn, AL
April 2nd, 2015
A Night at the Races
Mobile, AL
April 4th, 2015
Ms. April Rapp joined The Learning Tree this year as the Program
Director for the Little HAPIE Tree Preschool. Ms. Rapp earned a
Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida
in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of
Houston-Clear Lake in 2004. Her education and career experiences
have focused on behavior analytic interventions to help children,
adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum
disorders, and behavior disorders. Ms. Rapp became a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst in 2005 and has delivered services in homebased programs, center-based programs and public schools.
Autism 5K: Run for HOPE
Anniston, AL
April 18th, 2015
Aces for Autism Gala
Anniston, AL
May 16th, 2015
April Rapp
Anniston/Jacksonville
256-447-9349
Auburn/Tallassee
334-252-0025
Mobile
251-649-4420
Fore! the KIDS Golf Tournament
Centre, AL
Resource Development
251-331-2633