Feb. 29, 2008 – The organization Dinner and a Cause hosted a fundraiser for The Virgin Islands Therapy Association (VITA) to raise money for local families that have children with disabilities. These families are in need of adaptive equipment to enable a better quality of life at home and in the community. VITA is comprised of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, who provide services and therapy for individuals with disabilities. Dinner and a Cause, which began with four founders: Sharon McIver, Terry Halpern, Suzanne Mabe and Pam Larsen, has now grown to a network of over 300 women with a core group of 70 who regularly host events in the name of local charities. The event hosted for VITA, which raised more than $4,000, was held at and with the generous support of the Lotus Asian Grill.
A non-profit arm of VITA, the VI Disability Fund, provides assistive technology and equipment for children and adults with disabilities in the territories. Children with disabilities in the V.I. receive minimal public funding and are not eligible for the benefits children in the States receive. Funds raised will be put toward purchasing multi-positioning systems that can go into the home and fit to a stroller to access the community, as well as bathing aids and adaptive bikes to allow the children to play with their peers and experience a more normal childhood.
"We'd like to thank the ladies who supported the fundraiser, especially those who made specific purchases of equipment like bathing chairs. This is going to make life easier for the children with disabilities and their families," said occupational therapist Kelly Krause. "We encourage anyone who would like to make a contribution to do so through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), and on the memo, please write: Dinner and a Cause/VITA."
To heighten awareness of needs for equipment and services, VITA is sponsoring the first annual "Wellness in the Sun Fair" on March 8, at Magens Bay Beach. The event will be free of charge, but donations are encouraged with all monies going toward the VI Disability Fund.
For more information on how you can help, contact Kelly Krause at (414) 803-8363 or Jacqui Watson at (340) 642-7730. For more information on Dinner and a Cause, please visit the Web site at www.dinnerandacause.org.