Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE

Check out the adaptive fishing group

Yesterday (07/22/2009) in the Missoulian  in Missoula, MT, there was a cool story about adaptive fishing boats and rods for people with disabilities.  Go to www.Missoulian.com and review the recent featured stories.  This story is called Adapting to Nature.  There is a group who worked with Children’s Hospital and Craig Hospital in Denver to make adaptive equipment and boats to help people with disabilities fish.  Very cool!

Gabe makes a C-L-E-A-R message at Leota Junior High

Thanks Mr. Sander for inviting Gabe to speak with your Wednesday morning group today.  It was good to see you and to share Gabe’s C-L-E-A-R message with such a nice big group.  Hopefully each one of the students will remember to have Courage as a Leader striving for Excellence with a positive Attitude while Respecting others.

Northwest Ministry Conference 2009

We had a great time at the Northwest Ministry Conference this weekend.  We had wonderful people visit our booth and attend our workshops.  We learned a lot and are excited to follow up with the connections we made.  This conference is highly recommended.  Come see us there next year March 18-20, 2010.  You won’t be disappointed at the hundreds of workships and exhibits available.  Very inspiring!

Gabe’s BLOG

Please click on the logo on the left for Gabe’s BLOG to read his blog and comment.  He is also posting pictures from some of the assemblies he has been speaking at.  Thanks!

Scholarship Applications Available

NOTE:  We have extended the application deadline to June 30, 2009. 

Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE will award one individual a $250 scholarship to help with post secondary education expenses.  This scholarship is available to any individual living with a disability or a student having a family member with a disability.  It is also available to students seeking a major in a field that will work with individuals with disabilities.  These majors include medicine, social work, or education.

We have a second $250 scholarship made possible by donations in memory of Helen Devine, Gigi Murfitt’s mother.  She was a teacher for twenty-six years.  This scholarship is for any student desiring to become a teacher.  The same application can be used for either scholarship.

Applications are being sent to high school counseling offices.  If your school does not have an application, please email us and we will send an application.  Email info@GabesHope.org  You can also download an application form from our FORMS section of the website.

Deadline for this years scholarship to be awarded prior to fall quarter 2009 is June 2, 2009.  

NOTE:  We have extended the application deadline to June 30, 2009. 

Gabe Speaking in Billings, MT

This week Gabe is in Billings, MT speaking at two elementary schools.  This afternoon he’ll speak twice at Poly Drive Elementary.  Tomorrow he’ll meet the students at McKinley Elementary School.  Speaking to the kindergarten through third graders, his presentation includes interacting with the students while he shoots the basketball into his portable hoop.  He’ll also play catch with them using his raquet balls as they ask questions about his life.  He will present his C-L-E-A-R presentation to the fourth through sixth graders.  The students will learn about courage, leadership, excellence, leadership and respect. 

In the mornings he has been enjoying spending time at Sandstone Elementary school assisting in the classroom for Mrs. Goodheart’s 3/4 split class.   Since he is studying to become a teacher, this is great practice.

We’ll leave Billings on Thursday, March 26th to prepare for the Northwest Ministry Conference where Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE has a booth.  We will be presenting two workshops.  One on Friday and one on Saturday.

Gabe Speaking at RYLA at PLU

As part of the amazing group MOMENTUM, Gabe spoke tonight at the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) conference at Pacific Lutheran University.  He shared the secret to his success as a leader – take the word “can’t” out of your vocabulary and find a way to make it happen.  The group was well received by the high school students who were chosen to participate in this weekend conference.  Congratulations RYLA participants!

Gabe speaks at MLK assembly at Fife High School

MOMENTUM put on a great assembly to celebrate Martin Luther King at Fife High School this afternoon.  Gabe was one of the speakers sharing his journey of living his dreams.  He challenged the students to work toward their dreams, even in the face of obstacles.  The students enjoyed the singing, dancing and speeches by all of the members of MOMENTUM.  Thank you Auburn Dance Academy and Positive Programs, Inc. for putting on a great assembly.

Grant Application News

We are pleased to announce that we presented our first grant award to a Seattle area family.  On Saturday, January 3, 2009 we presented a check to the Paul Bugni family to help them pay the expenses of building a wheelchair ramp into their home. 

Leo cruises on his new ramp

Their son Leo is a beautiful kindergartner who is now able to drive his electric wheelchair into his home.  We are grateful for the donations that allowed us to approve this grant application. 

Donations are accepted online or by mail to our address at PO Box 2437, Woodinville, WA  98072-2437