Safety and Well-Being

SISD WELCOMES BEST BUDDIES CHAPTER

Thanks to a donation from local non-profit 100 Women of Sunnyvale, SISD will now have a Best Buddies Chapter.

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sunnyvale resident Linda Milton, who is employed by Best Buddies, wrote and submitted the grant to the 100 Women of Sunnyvale, who selected the grant by random vote among its membership. The grant will benefit students with intellectual or developmental disabilities at Sunnyvale ISD.

So far, Director of Special Programs Erica Lawless says that the Best Buddies chapter has planned the following events: Special Olympics events (basketball and track and field), Best Buddies Winter Ball, Best Buddies Spring Walk, and end of the year picnic. At the group’s initial informational meeting, 14 SHS students signed up to participate. SISD Best Buddies will expand the SMS soon.

Thank You, Donors!

SISD appreciates the Marquez De La Plata family, who recently donated 330 cans of canned food to the SISD Cares Closet from their neighborhood Halloween haunted house project. SISD would also like to thank other donors to the Cares Closet, including: the Sunnyvale Garden Club, Rays of Sunshine, Swan Electric Heating and Air, Jan Aoun and all other community members who have dropped off clothes, food and toiletries.

Families can access the Cares Closet by contacting SISD’s Crisis Counselor, Melissa James or any of the campus counselors. There will be an opportunity for holiday giving through the Cares Closet. For more information, please contact melissa.james@sunnyvaleisd.com.

DONATE TO THE SUNNYVALE CARES CLOSET

Do you have items you can donate to the Sunnyvale Cares Closet?

ITEMS NEEDED:

• New or Gently-Used Clothes and Shoes • Individually Wrapped Snacks • Hygiene Products • School Supplies • Backpacks