Bank Of America Names UCP Volunteer A Local Hero
Bank Of America Will Donate $5k To UCP Of Greater Sacramento.
- Sacramento, CA (1888PressRelease) November 30, 2010 - Folsom resident Shanan Hewitt has been named a local hero by Bank of America for her work with UCP of Greater Sacramento to empower children with developmental disabilities to live life without limits. The award included a $5,000 grant to the organization of her choice, which she will give to UCP.
Hewitt was honored for her work with UCP's Saddle Pals program, an adapted horseback riding program where she began volunteering in 2006. Adapted riding uses the movement of the horse to positively affect the body, mind and spirit of riders with developmental disabilities. The size and conformation of the horse, its gait, equipment used and activities performed help riders master the physical, emotional and mental effects of developmental disabilities.
Hewitt has been advocating for people in need since 1992 when she volunteered with several local nonprofits. But when her daughter, Celeste, was born with cerebral palsy, Hewitt found herself on the other end of the line and made it her mission to learn how to give her child as many opportunities as possible. She and her husband enrolled Celeste in Saddle Pals, and the 13-year-old is now a budding equestrian and artist, as well as a successful middle school student. Her painting of an oversized heart was used in SAFE Credit Union's Love My Family Campaign, which raised $7,000 for UCP.
After watching her own daughter begin to live life without limits, Hewitt realized she wanted all children with developmental disabilities to have this same opportunity. In addition to serving on UCP's board of directors, she is an advocate for parents of children with developmental disabilities, helping them understand what services are available and how to access them. She joined forces with other parents of special needs children to challenge state budget cuts affecting funding for a martial arts program designed for children with disabilities. Their efforts resulted in restored funding for a number of families.
"Shanan's heart is as big as her daughter's beautiful heart painting," said Doug Bergman, president and CEO of UCP of Greater Sacramento. "She has not only helped her daughter reach new heights, she has helped other families in her position navigate the system - often an incredibly isolating experience. She is a true hero to many families in our community."
Each month, 2,600 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families are empowered to live life without limits at UCP of Greater Sacramento. UCP is the leading provider of comprehensive services to children, adults and families with developmental disabilities in Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Shasta, Sutter and Yolo counties. Programs include Saddle Pals therapeutic horseback riding, UCP's Autism Center for Excellence at Sacramento State, adult day programs, independent living services, transportation and in-home respite care for families. For more information, visit www.ucpsacto.org.
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