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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2005 Connor Pollock, 6, wears a heart-shaped hanging he made at Easter Seals camp Thursday. The camp offers respite for parents and services to their disabled children age 5 to 21. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Easter Seals camp needs supplies Summer program for kids with disabilities is experiencing a record enrollment, creating a shortage of arts and craft items By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune With his red sandals and orange shirt, Connor Pollock was particularly suited to a morning of crayon crafts at the Easter Seals summer camp. Along with a half-dozen other kids at Thursday’s art table, 6-year-old Connor used scissors and tape, markers and yarn, waxed paper and grated crayons to create a brightly hued masterpiece worthy of his biggest fan. "My mom will love this," he said. And indeed, Diane Pollock will appreciate the heart-shaped hanging, said Connor’s dad, pharmacist David Pollock. "We’ll never be able to throw it away — he remembers everything we have!" the father said. Advertisement But what the Pollock family appreciates even more is the availability of a summer program that provides social stimulation, structure and fun for Connor and other children with disabilities. Diagnosed at age 3 with autistic spectrum disorder, Connor is among some 45 children enrolled in the Easter Seals four-week summer camp, which concludes at the end of August. This year’s enrollment is the highest ever, said Katie Shepard, who was recently named director of the local chapter of the Easter Seals program. "The need is there, most definitely," said Shepard, 26, who has worked with the local program since 2001. The summer camp offers respite for parents and services to disabled young people ages 5 to 21. It’s the most intensive extension of year-round aid for families coping with a wide range of physical, mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Cost is about $100 a week. For Connor, the program provides vital social interaction with kids at his level, said David Pollock, who also has two daughters ages 10 and 15. "This is just sort of our warm-up for school coming," said Pollock. Connor attends a transitional kindergarten program at Jacksonville Elementary School. As new director, Shepard hopes to maintain and expand services for families like the Pollocks. Although the agency had to cut back on an after-school program just last year, funding for the $50,000 annual budget has stabilized. "We’re doing great," Shepard said. "I’m so happy to start with this huge success." Shepard was drawn to Easter Seals in part because she has a 29-year-old disabled brother. "I’ve been doing Special Olympics, caring for people with special needs all my life, all his life," she said. "This is what I was meant to do." Former director Diane Mathews said Shepard was the obvious choice. "The families know her and the trust factor with the families is big," Mathews said. "And, she just has a passion for the work." About the only assistance the local Easter Seals program needs now is an infusion of art supplies for the remainder of summer camp. Supplies of washable paint, markers, stickers and tape are running low. Donations of Popsicle sticks and 12-ounce cups also would be appreciated. To help, contact Shepard at 774-2508 or 842-2199. The camp is held at the Youth Activity Center, 809 W. Andrews Road, Medford. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail Easter Seals camp needs supplies ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s