From the desk of our Board President,
Francisco Chavez:
For probably all of us, our early education… our experiences in the classroom, the friends we made, the trips we took for the first time…shaped us into the people we are today. As we move into the second quarter of the year, the Governor Morehead Foundation board of directors reflect on what it means to offer students of the Governor Morehead School the valuable opportunity to venture out and explore; whether it is riding a ferry and being on an island for the first time, or participating in an out-of-state sports tournament. We believe that such opportunities will supplement their learning and will make memories they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives. Our foundation is incredibly grateful for all of our donors, who enable us to offer incredible and varied experiences to GMS students.
As always, thank you for your support!
Foundation Aid
Student Trip to the Coast:
Biology students and staff members visited the coast to learn about a variety of sea life including sea turtles, crabs, snails, jellyfish, birds and even wild horses! For several students, it was their first time at the shore. For others, riding the ferry presented a new experience. The students enjoyed the trip immensely, and several made a point to share their words of thanks with foundation members:
“[The trip] was very fun and I had a great experience. It allowed us to use our cane skills and our social interaction skills. It also helped us to learn and get better at advocating for ourselves…” – Haleigh
“I’d like to express my gratitude for allowing me and my class to go on such an amazing field trip! Very rarely do we get the opportunity to REALLY go off campus, let alone to an island.” – Luis
The New GMS Playground:
As mentioned previously, the foundation is pleased to support the creation of a fully accessible, multisensory playground at the Governor Morehead School, and work has now begun! The lot was cleared of the old playground, regraded, and new drainage has been added. So far, $58,000 has been raised, but there is a long ways to go to get to the $120,000 anticipated final cost! Donations can be made to either the Governor Morehead Foundation or to the GoFundMe page that has been set up by the Freedom by Design students at NC State who are overseeing the project. If you’re a leader of a nonprofit, talk to your organization and ask them to match our donation, or connect us with the right person to speak to so we can coordinate efforts and fund the remaining amount together. We know it’s a lot, but we can do it! Every donation matters!
School News
Plant Sale:
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, Mr. Tubilleja, one of the Orientation and Mobility instructors at the Governor Morehead School, is planning a plant sale for the dates of May 18th and 25th at the school. The sale will be held in the afternoon on each of those dates, from 1 to 3:30 pm. Sales will feature a variety of bell peppers, tomatoes and flowers. Proceeds will go toward creating sustainability for the GMS Community Garden and the educational opportunities available through gardening.
Seniors Travel to Durham:
GMS Seniors took the train from Raleigh to Durham starting at the Raleigh Amtrak station in downtown. From the Durham Amtrak station, student and staff members walked almost a mile to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for the afternoon game. The students used their Expanded Curriculum skills and knowledge along the way through apps that assisted in purchasing tickets for the train, the actual train ride experience, smart-phone GPS to track their position and to create a route to the ball park. As it was Education Day at the park, students visited different stations with presentations by groups such as the Boy Scouts, SANSA Construction, Durham Sheriff’s Office, Marines Recruitment Office, Durham Water District, NC Museum of Natural Science, and more! Our O&M Intern took time to show the students various tactile graphics representing the ball park and the baseball field, which oriented them to their seats, as well as taught them a little about the great American pastime.
Fundraising
Save these Dates!
The Raleigh Outlaws Bowling League is hosting their annual bowling tournament on May 6th at Buffalo Lanes North in Raleigh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers plan to have an exhibition area in which organizations serving the blind can provide information about their services. The Governor Morehead Foundation plans to attend, and we invite you to come visit us!
Our foundation will benefit from a profit-sharing event at the Chipotle Mexican Grill at 4421 Six Forks Road in North Raleigh on August 2 from 4 to 8 pm. Come enjoy a great meal with GMF! If you tell the cashier you are there to support the foundation, they will split the profit with us.
The Governor Morehead School will once again serve as host for the GMF fall fundraiser, the Giving Season Gala. Join us for a catered meal, a silent auction, great entertainment, and wonderful fellowship on Thursday, November 2. Mark your calendars now, and look for much more information to follow over the coming months!
GMF continues to sell greeting cards featuring art created by students under the guidance of GMS Art Teacher, Lisa Medina. Cards are available from any member of the GMF board, and will soon be available for purchase online. Contributions to GMF continue to be made through the N.C. State Employees Combined Campaign and, as always, via our website.