A Hope to Dream  
National Furniture Store Donates Beds To Less Fortunate Children

By Stephanie Dawson

To dream or not to dream – that is the question. To some it’s a luxury when it should be a natural part of life particularly for children. Research at the National Sleep Foundation shows that children should have 8 to 12 hours sleep, each night, in order to perform at their best (www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep). Sleep problems and disorders are common in kids and teens. Broken or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings and behavioral problems such as limited attention span or learning difficulties that impact on their school life.

The National Sleep Foundation also suggests some useful sleep tips for school-aged children. First, encourage healthy sleep habits such as the need for a regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine. Second, the avoidance of caffeine before bedtime.Third, keep the TV and computers out of the bedroom and make the room conducive to sleep – dimly lit, cool and quiet. And of course an essential ingredient in the recipe for improved sleep is a great, comfortable bed.  

A Hope to Dream is a program established by Ashley Furniture HomeStores and is designed to ensure a good night’s sleep for local underprivileged children by providing them with a new Twin size mattress set and a five piece comforter set. For every mattress sold, in the 250 participating HomeStores nationwide, $5 will be donated to the program. Since its launch in December 2010, A Hope to Dream has given approximately 2000 beds to deserving children nationwide.

Ashley Furniture HomeStores’ spokesperson, Ruthie Bautista, wanted the company to become more involved in the community and lend a high level of charitable support. She said “I am so excited about A Hope to Dream. It benefits so many young people and gives our customers an opportunity to take part too.”

Any child, between the ages of 3 and 16 years of age suffering a hardship, is eligible and can be nominated multiple times through a selection process. The child in need can be referred by any member of a local community, social service, case management agencies or charitable organization, who must complete and submit an online application, via email to AHopeToDream@ashleyfurniture.com, or using the forms located in participating Ashley Furniture HomeStores. The applications will then be fully reviewed by a selection committee.  Applicants not selected initially will have their submission kept on file for one year and revisited for consideration during the next selection process. So don’t delay – help a child today!

To nominate a deserving child, simply complete a form including a short outline, in 100 words or less, explaining why the child should be given the mattress set. The applications will be judged on the basis of originality, the individuals’ need and expression of thought.  

For further information and other questions contact Ruthie Bautistia at 1-800-477-9999, or visit their web site at www.AHopeToDream.com.

May - Celebrating Mothers And Remembering Our Veterans 

By Brian Butler

May is arguably one of the most important months of the year. Many celebrations occur in May, but what could be more special than honoring mothers and honoring our fallen soldiers?  

Mother’s Day is a day to honor our mothers and the women who have nurtured, trained and cared for us. Recently, while watching the movie Courageous with a family from church, I was reminded of what my mother instilled in me. Ok, so maybe one small tear escaped, but others in the room were actually crying, even though they had seen the movie several times. Courageous reminded me of how my mother taught me to put my faith in God, and not in others.  The movie reminded me that she taught my siblings and me right from wrong. I was reminded that even to this day, my mother prays for me, my family, the success of our business and our community activities.   

Though I didn’t always tell my mother how much I appreciated her, what she stands for and what she taught me, while serving our nation in uniform, I came to appreciate her more each time I was deployed, traveling overseas, or away for an extended period of time. I am very fortunate because I still have the opportunity to let my mother know how much I love her. I Love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
On the last Monday of May, Memorial Day, we honor our fallen military members - The men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy daily.  We honor those who were drafted or volunteered to serve our nation. We honor those who made the decision to defend this nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

Many think of Memorial Day as just the start of summer, but it is much more important than that. It is a day that should be filled with honor, remembrance and praise. I thought I understood the significance of Memorial Day, until a few years ago when I had the honor of escorting my uncle who is a Vietnam veteran, on his first visit to the Vietnam Memorial. That was a special day for Uncle James and witnessing the event was even more special for me.  

This Memorial Day honor our fallen heroes by visiting a cemetery, a nursing home, or an older veteran that lives nearby. Let them know that you understand the importance of honoring those that gave it all and appreciate the sacrifices they made for all of us. 

Share a Mother’s Day or Memorial Day story with me.  Email me at Brian@ConsultVistra.com.

Brian Butler is a retired army officer and serves on the Founding Board of Directors for USO Tampa Bay.  Brian is also President of Vistra Communications, a strategic public relations firm.  Visit Vistra online at www.ConsultVistra.com.

Become A Guardian Ad Litem

Stand up for Pasco abused children. They deserve a chance that you can provide by becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL). GAL volunteers are court appointed special advocates for an abused, abandoned or neglected child. They work with the family and/or caregiver for the benefit of the child. Each GAL is trained and supported by a professional team, including a volunteer supervisor and a program attorney and makes recommendations to the court to ensure that the child is placed in a safe, caring, stable and permanent home.

Feel good about yourself. Join the 185 volunteer Guardian ad Litems who are advocates for 476 children in Pasco County. Many more children are waiting for you to be their special advocate. There are not enough GAL volunteers to help all the children in need of an advocate. This need is reaching a critical point, as there is a recent increase in the number of children in need of an advocate, outpacing the number of available GAL volunteers. Be assured that helping these needy children is a rewarding and satisfying experience. 

For more information about how to become a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, simply call, Bufus Gammons, GAL Community Outreach Coordinator, at 727-834-3493. You too can say, “I am for the child. I am a volunteer Guardian ad Litem.”

May Is Water Safety Month ~ Tips On Staying Safe

May is Water Safety Month, and it gives Florida families the chance to become more aware of the risk of drowning. Drowning is known as the “silent killer”. Too often, we think a drowning person will kick, scream, and thrash about. A swimmer’s natural reaction is sometimes quite the opposite -- an undramatic response. A small percentage of child drownings occur when even the most attentive parent is less than 30 feet away. Drowning is the leading cause of death among youngsters 1-4 years of age. Drowning can occur in only 1-1/4” of water.

Signs of Drowning:

• Hair over face and eyes
• Face up or down in water, not   kicking
• Trying to swim but not “making any progress”
• Head tilted back or low in water;   mouth at water level
• Trying to roll over on back
• Attempting to “push water downwards” which is an instinctive response

• Arm yourself with education by doing online research
• Having responsible adult supervision with knowledge of CPR
• Install a Child Safety Fence with a self latching gate
• Install a Pool Alarm that senses movement inside pool perimeter
• Have adequate, well lit safe pool entry & exit; add a ladder or handrail if needed
• Make sure drain is equipped with VGB covers that prevent hair/body entrapment

• www.PoolSafely.gov – Government website with helpful tips parents & kids can review together
• www.Florida PoolPro.com – safety info & education about the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGB)
• www.splashzoneusa.com - water safety games to educate children on how to prevent drowning