In the Foster Care System, there are never enough pajamas for a child’s first night bag according to Jennifer Stirk with ECHO Ministries, a Heartland For Children partner supporting children entering Foster Care. The Who I Am Foundation with help from The Avon Park High School Rotary Club, want to change that. On September 30th, they will host a 5K Foster Care Pajama Run around the Mall in Downtown Avon Park. A portion of each entry in the race will be used to purchase a set of pajamas. On race day, these pajamas will be presented to ECHO.
The Who I Am Foundation, Inc is just one of many organizations The Avon Park Rotary Interact Club has supported with their Community Service Hours. Tracy Serdynski Stites shared, “These students are amazing. To date they have helped us create over 3500 free Healthcare Support Kits that have been distributed throughout Highlands County and over 1500 Foster Care Gift Bags distributed throughout Central Florida. They are a blessing to work with.”
The Who I Am Foundation, Inc., a 501 c3 nonprofit based in Avon Park Florida, was formed in honor of Don Serdynski, lost to Covid on August 15th, 2020. He was admitted into the Covid Isolation Unit and soon after became non-verbal. At that time, no visitors were allowed into any Healthcare Facility. Tracy and her mom called every eight hours to get a status update from the nurses. Due to unusual circumstances, Tracy and her mom were given permission to go into Don’s COVID Isolation Room, Tracy hung photos and her dad’s favorite Florida Gator Championship Flag. If he opened his eyes for any reason, she wanted him to see photos of his loved ones and his beloved Florida Gators.
“Based on what we observed and countless research, we learned individuals want their Healthcare Team to know part of their personal story. We created our free Support Kits so individuals can have a more personal Healthcare Experience. Our Healthcare Kit includes our Wall Hanging, designed to hold up to 15 photos/notes about the resident or patient. It can be hung in any type of Healthcare Facility.
Healthcare Teams entering their room can review their Wall Hanging for personal talking points with a resident or patient.
To sign up for the 5K go to https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/AvonPark/5KFosterCarePajamaDriveWhoIAmFoundation.
To donate or order a free Healthcare Support Kit visit www.whoiamfoundation.com.