The Network of Care visited Deer Valley High School on Thursday to recognize students of the SH (Severely Handicapped) class and teachers for their hard work in volunteerism and helping people in need.
The program is a partnership which helps SH students develop vocational skills that help them work on a team, complete jobs, and learn responsibility. This specific program has helped provide over 2,000 families with bags that are given to parents at a hospital so they do not have to leave their child’s bedside to go get food.
Janet Frazier, The Network of Care, was on hand to present each student with a certificate and personally thanked them. Representatives from Target were also on hand to present a $200 worth of gift cards to the teachers so that they could purchase supplies for the classroom.
Meanwhile, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District was also on hand with a fire engine so the students could learn about fire services.
Here are some photographs of the event:
About The Network of Care:
Program Overview
The Network of Care program was formed in January 2004 to preserve the memory of Stephanie Marie Frazier, who lost her life in an automobile accident at the age of 20. The Network is a way for parents who understand the torment of loss and worry for their children to give to others. It is the result of tragedy turned into an ongoing series of thoughtful deeds.
The Network provides meal support to families in crisis when their child is suddenly hospitalized. These families do not have the time, energy, or presence of mind to look after their own needs, so our Network provides for them and allows them to devote more attention to their child.
The simple gift of food characteristically gives comfort and strength to parents by letting them know there are people who care about them. This gesture of support has a wide reach as the effects of such care bolster families, relieve hospital staff and inspire community members to lend their support.
Our Story
On December 16, 2000, our lives changed. Our daughters, Stephanie (age 20) and Lindsey (age 17) were involved in a tragic car accident. We frantically drove 1½ hours to the hospital, leaving with only the clothes on our back.
Our oldest daughter Stephanie did not survive the accident; our youngest daughter Lindsey was in critical condition. It was an endless day and night for us. Sometime in the darkness, Janet rose from her chair to check on Lindsey and nearly fainted.
A kind nurse asked when we had last eaten and we certainly could not remember. All we had inside was grief and worry. Since the cafeteria was closed and we did not want to leave Lindsey’s side, the kind nurse shared her sandwich with us, which gave us the physical strength we needed.
We think of those first hours and the nurse who did something so small, yet so meaningful. That simple Act of Kindness made all the difference in the world to us, knowing there are people that care.
The foundation was established in Stephanie’s memory to support others in their time of need. We operate exclusively on donations. Our caring network of volunteers purchase the food items, fill and deliver the bags to the hospitals in our network. Lindsey has recovered from her injuries and is very involved in this cause.
– Janet Frazier
For more information, visit their website
