The annual meeting of the CARE for Children board of directors was held Thursday evening at the Bradford Club.

The CARE board of directors honored McKean County Special Olympics, Evergreen Elm and Futures Rehabilitation Center with the organization’s 2018 Community CARE Awards.

CARE board members and 2017 Community CARE award recipients, Mick Marshall, Karen Gelston and Joseph Yaros, presented the three awards respectively.

The Community CARE Awards were established by the board of directors in 2003 to recognize outstanding contributions to the agency and to the children and families to whom CARE provides service. This year the board determined to recognize these outstanding organizations for their active partnership with CARE in building an inclusive community and for successfully working together to provide a continuum of services for people of all abilities.

“This year we are pleased to recognize three organizations who not only exemplify CARE’s vision of creating an ability-focused culture, but amplify it with their services and programs,” said Marshall, CARE board member. “We are thankful for their partnership with CARE to not only promote inclusion, but to celebrate ‘all abilities.’”

During the meeting, CARE board president Norm Strotman provided a review of CARE’s 2017-2018 fiscal year which had an overall theme of ‘Engage, Empower, and Inspire’ and highlighted the organization’s increase in the overall number of services including Early Intervention, birth to three; school-based therapy; therapeutic recreation; early learning programs; community outreach; and child safety initiatives.

Strotman also recognized outgoing board member Jan Brown for her longstanding and dedicated service to the organization. Brown recently completed an eight-year tenure as a board member.

The CARE board also honored employees who have reached milestone years of service at the organization. Tina Martin, executive director, recognized the following staff for reaching milestones: Valorie Coast, finance and office manager, 15 years; DeAnn Persichini, COTA/L, occupational therapy assistant, 15 years; Janice Stiles, preschool aide, 15 years; Katlyn Hillard, M.Ed., summer early learning programs and recreation, 10 years; Barbara McGarry, preschool aide, 10 years; Dana Pence, PT, physical therapist, 10 years; and Leslie Kallenborn, development and marketing coordinator, five years.  

CARE for Children is a non-profit organization which provides pediatric therapy services, early learning programs, child safety and injury prevention initiatives, and community outreach services for children of all abilities in McKean County and the surrounding region.

CARE for Children has been providing services for children of all abilities since 1924.