 |  |  |  |
Snowmobilers Continue Support of Spina
Bifida Association of Iowa in 2005
by Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
Snowmobilers in Iowa continued to open their wallets in 2004-05 with
donations to the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa (SBAI), the ISSA's
official charity, reaching $6,463.90, as reported by ISSA Charity
Committee Chair Jane Jans at the 2005 convention at Okoboji in
November.
Contributions to the non-profit agency declined significantly from the
2003-04 total of $12,000, but the SBAI was still very appreciative of the
fund-raising efforts. Rod Tressel of Ankeny, association president, said
without the ISSA’s sponsorship, their organization could not survive.
“Your contributions really make a difference to our families,” Tressel told
snowmobilers at the Saturday evening banquet. “Without your funding,
our association really would not exist. We would not be able to provide
the necessary funding for the programs that we like to provide. On
behalf of our members, we would like to thank all of you who have
helped us in the past year.”
Staffing an information booth with son Andrew, Tressel represented the
SBAI throughout the convention weekend. Andrew suffers from the
spinal chord defect, and his father spoke enthusiastically of the advances
and access to information the ISSA’s donations afford his family and
organization.
“We’ve been able to participate in special activities, attend (regional and
national) conferences and incorporate that information into the
newsletters we send out to our members,” said Tressel, adding the
donations also help subsidize health insurance and fuel costs. “We can
really educate ourselves on what is going on with new technology.”
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that happens in the first month of
pregnancy when the spinal column doesn’t close completely. According
to the Spina Bifida Association of America, there are 60 million women at
risk of having a baby born with spina bifida, and each year, about 3,000
pregnancies are affected by this birth defect.
Up to 90 percent of children with the worst form of spina bifida have
fluid on the brain and must have surgery to insert a “shunt” that helps
drain the fluid. The shunt stays in place for the lifetime of the person.
Other conditions include full or partial paralysis, bladder and bowel
control difficulties, learning disabilities, depression, latex allergy and
social and sexual issues.
The ISSA’s spina bifida fund-raising campaign is already off to a great
start in 2005-06 with nearly $3,000 turned in convention weekend alone.
Snowmobilers are encouraged to submit their donations through their
club. Successful fund-raising efforts in the past have included club
raffles, charity rides, fun runs and dances. For their efforts, the Cedar
Falls Sno Hawks of Region 4 was recognized by the SBAI as the top
donor for 2005.
“Last year’s club contributions were down a bit, so hopefully we can
increase the number of clubs contributing as well as increase the level of
giving this season,” Jans encouraged. “We need to remember how
important the ISSA is as an SBAI benefactor, and we all need to dig as
deeply as we can to help this great group of people out.”
Due to time limitations, Jans has stepped down as chair of the ISSA
Charity Committee and has been succeeded by Angie Sprung and Kim
Herman of the Mitchell County EZ-Riders Snowmobile Club of Region 4.
Notify them of your club’s charitable activities by dialing (641) 732-5778
or emailing travang@omnitelcom.com.
Bifida Association of Iowa in 2005
by Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
Snowmobilers in Iowa continued to open their wallets in 2004-05 with
donations to the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa (SBAI), the ISSA's
official charity, reaching $6,463.90, as reported by ISSA Charity
Committee Chair Jane Jans at the 2005 convention at Okoboji in
November.
Contributions to the non-profit agency declined significantly from the
2003-04 total of $12,000, but the SBAI was still very appreciative of the
fund-raising efforts. Rod Tressel of Ankeny, association president, said
without the ISSA’s sponsorship, their organization could not survive.
“Your contributions really make a difference to our families,” Tressel told
snowmobilers at the Saturday evening banquet. “Without your funding,
our association really would not exist. We would not be able to provide
the necessary funding for the programs that we like to provide. On
behalf of our members, we would like to thank all of you who have
helped us in the past year.”
Staffing an information booth with son Andrew, Tressel represented the
SBAI throughout the convention weekend. Andrew suffers from the
spinal chord defect, and his father spoke enthusiastically of the advances
and access to information the ISSA’s donations afford his family and
organization.
“We’ve been able to participate in special activities, attend (regional and
national) conferences and incorporate that information into the
newsletters we send out to our members,” said Tressel, adding the
donations also help subsidize health insurance and fuel costs. “We can
really educate ourselves on what is going on with new technology.”
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that happens in the first month of
pregnancy when the spinal column doesn’t close completely. According
to the Spina Bifida Association of America, there are 60 million women at
risk of having a baby born with spina bifida, and each year, about 3,000
pregnancies are affected by this birth defect.
Up to 90 percent of children with the worst form of spina bifida have
fluid on the brain and must have surgery to insert a “shunt” that helps
drain the fluid. The shunt stays in place for the lifetime of the person.
Other conditions include full or partial paralysis, bladder and bowel
control difficulties, learning disabilities, depression, latex allergy and
social and sexual issues.
The ISSA’s spina bifida fund-raising campaign is already off to a great
start in 2005-06 with nearly $3,000 turned in convention weekend alone.
Snowmobilers are encouraged to submit their donations through their
club. Successful fund-raising efforts in the past have included club
raffles, charity rides, fun runs and dances. For their efforts, the Cedar
Falls Sno Hawks of Region 4 was recognized by the SBAI as the top
donor for 2005.
“Last year’s club contributions were down a bit, so hopefully we can
increase the number of clubs contributing as well as increase the level of
giving this season,” Jans encouraged. “We need to remember how
important the ISSA is as an SBAI benefactor, and we all need to dig as
deeply as we can to help this great group of people out.”
Due to time limitations, Jans has stepped down as chair of the ISSA
Charity Committee and has been succeeded by Angie Sprung and Kim
Herman of the Mitchell County EZ-Riders Snowmobile Club of Region 4.
Notify them of your club’s charitable activities by dialing (641) 732-5778
or emailing travang@omnitelcom.com.
Spina Bifida Association of
Iowa (SBAI) President Rod
Tressel of Ankeny presents
the Cedar Falls Sno Hawks,
with a plaque recognizing
the Region 4 club as the top
fund-raiser for the SBAI in
2005. The Sno Hawks was
also named the ISSA’s
Snowmobile Club of the
Year, based on a points
system tallied throughout the
year of their participation in
ISSA-sponsored activities.
Iowa (SBAI) President Rod
Tressel of Ankeny presents
the Cedar Falls Sno Hawks,
with a plaque recognizing
the Region 4 club as the top
fund-raiser for the SBAI in
2005. The Sno Hawks was
also named the ISSA’s
Snowmobile Club of the
Year, based on a points
system tallied throughout the
year of their participation in
ISSA-sponsored activities.