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Show Easter Seals seek volunteers , . By TOM HARALDSEN - ! The Utah Easter Seals Society is offering a new program in Davis County, but it needs volunteers who love children and want to help. Titled "Helping Hands," the program provides respite support sup-port to families caring for special needs children under three. These children are those considered at-risk infants with illnesses illnes-ses or birth defects. Volunteers are given a training program and then matched with a family in need of a little extra help. Mileage reimbursement reimburse-ment for travel to and from the family's home is available. Easter Seals received a grant to get the program going in 1 Davis County, but needs at least 10 volunteers in order to keep the grant money intact. Thus far, five volunteers have agreed to participate. "Families in Salt Lake County have been participating in a similar program," stated Su McArthur, pediatric assistant for Family Friends, of Easter Seals. "Imagine the help you could offer a family not only coping with the day-to-day tensions of raising children, but facing the added stress of having a special needs child. These families have discovered that their volunteers volun-teers have become a very important addition to their lives." Volunteers must be 18 or older and willing to provide respite support after the initial trial period. Visits are made to the family's home once per week for a minimum of three hours per visit. Those who would like more information should contact the Helping Hands program of Easter Seals at 531-0522. |