Held yearly at the Scranton Country Club, the Annual Allied Services Jack Newman Classic Golf Tournament raises funds for the Jack & Joan Newman Endowment Fund, which helps to sustain services for adults with mental and physical disabilities who receive sheltered employment, job placement & training right in our community. Allied’s Vocational Services Division currently helps over 500 physically and intellectually disabled people develop work related skills in a supervised and supportive environment.

The 2012 Allied Services Heinz Rehab Annual Autism Classic 19th annual tournament will be held at the beautiful Huntsville Golf Club in Lehman PA, with presenting sponsor Lexus MotorWorld. The proceeds will be used to treat pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder and will enhance socialization programs through the volunteer group “Parents and Professionals”. The Lexus Champions for Charity designation has been earned for the fourth year in 2012, the third consecutive year for the Autism Program.

2011 raffle winner Dave Strach and his guest will participated in the three-day Lexus Championship at Pebble Beach, California in December. You could win a chance to participate in the 2012 Lexus Championship, on December 5 -9, 2012! (see attached) Or call the Foundation office at(570) 348-1407.

The Second Annual Frank & Sophie Russo Memorial Fund Reception will benefit students at Allied’s dePaul School for Children with Dyslexia. Zach Russo, grandson of the late Frank & Sophie, graduated from dePaul and was accepted into Scranton Preparatory School. This reception is his family’s way to thank the dedicated teachers and staff of dePaul. All funds raised will go directly towards the school’s programs and services.

All funds raised go toward raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, training therapists in proven Parkinson’s treatments LSVT Big & Loud, and to provide services to uninsured people in NEPA with Parkinson’s disease.

For more than 46 years, Burnley Employment & Rehab Services has been dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential. On Friday, April 20, 2012, Burnley will hosts its annual fundraiser, the April Showers Ball, at the breathtaking Skytop Lodge. 300 guests will gather to honor the Community and Workshop Employees of the Year and the 2012 honorees, Mr. John Riley, CPA and the Monroe County Transit Authority.

The April Showers Ball features fine dining, dancing, a silent auction and the chance to win a week’s vacation in sunny Lake Buena Vista, Fl. Tickets are $125 per person. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 – $5,000. See Sponsorship Form. All proceeds from the April Showers Ball will benefit individuals with disabilities served by Burnley.

To learn how you can support Burnley’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities call 570-814-4487 or e-mail cwrigh@allied-services.org.

On January 24th, Allied Service’s own Sondra Morgan (PT, MHA) appeared on WVIA-TV’s “Call the Doctor” program, to discuss Balance and Dizziness issues.

A person may experience dizziness for many reasons, but 42% of Americans will seek medical help for it at some point in their lives. Dizziness can be lightheadedness or the feeling like you might faint or vertigo the feeling that you are spinning or moving. The body’s senses are important for maintaining balance. Along with Sondra are Moderator George Thomas, Jorge Gonzalez from Bloomsburg University, Dr. Marcus Myers, O.D., Jeff Walter PT, DPT, NCS, Director of the Otolaryngology Vestibular and Balance Center at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, part of Geisinger Health System.

Click here to watch the episode on-demand.

Do the math. In 2011, a record-breaking 140,000 people applied to be one of the 47,000 runners to compete in the legendary New York City marathon. Most marathon hopefuls will be forced to take their chances and enter a kind of marathon lottery, paying a fee to be entered into a random drawing. For the average runner in the U.S. applying through the lottery, their chance of winning a place is a tiny 4%.

For a limited time, Allied Services will offer local runners a chance to win a guaranteed entry into the 2012 NYC Marathon. Simply fill out an online application, complete with an application fee payment of $26.20.

The bonus? Unlike the official marathon lottery, your chances of winning the 1 guaranteed entry are considerably higher – you’ll only be competing against runners in NEPA, instead of the entire U.S.!

All proceeds from the entry fee will benefit children and adults with disabilities served by Allied and for your participation you’ll be rewarded with an official Ryan’s Run exercise shirt and wrist band.

Competition Details:
Applications will be accepted from January 10th to April 23rd, 5:00 p.m. EST, 2011. Multiple entries will be accepted. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older on or before November 4, 2012. All entry fees must be submitted at the time of application. Need not be present to win.

Allied Services is offering FREE stroke screenings for the month of February. If you are a stroke survivor, you may be able to regain skills you once thought were lost forever. With the use of cutting-edge technology and the help of our expert therapists, you can learn your potential for a fuller recovery. Some patients have regained skills a decade after their stroke. Come to a stroke screening near you to find out how.

To schedule an appointment, call: 1.888.REHAB.PA. Please note that you must schedule a screening. Spots are limited, and walk-ins are not permitted.

Here are some suggestions to help manage your asthma symptoms.

Get control.
See a doctor or healthcare provider who understands and uses the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.

Take medications if prescribed by your doctor.
Based on your symptoms and breathing test results, your healthcare provider will work best for you.

Avoid triggers.
A trigger is anything that causes you to cough, wheeze and experience tightness in your chest or shortness of breath.

• Pollen – Reduce outside activities when levels are high.
• Animal Dander ? Keep animals outside or at least out of the bedroom.
• Air Pollution and High Ozone Levels ? Stay inside when levels are high.
• Molds ? Check under sinks and basements for wet areas that grow mold.
• Dust Mites ? Clean bed linens, pillows, stuffed animals, carpet and draperies often and wash bedding weekly in hot water (above 1300 F)

Have an action plan.
Work with your doctor and respiratory therapist to develop a written plan for when to use your inhaler and how to tell if your asthma is worse. The plan will tell you when to call your doctor or go to the hospital.

More information on asthma is available online at yourlunghealth.org If you have questions on Asthma or are interested in a screening or a respiratory rehabilitation program for yourself or someone you know who is living with it, please contact our admissions office or email kmcdon@allied-services.org.

Employees in Allied Services Vocational Division were recently honored at a party that celebrated their service anniversaries. Vocational Services provides job training, employment, and client support for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, allowing them to earn money, make friends with coworkers, and take pride in being productive members of our community. Awards were given to employees with anniversaries in multiples of five. The years of service are listed after each employee name.

Pictured are, back row, from left: Russell Lewis, 10; PJ Norton, 25; Norman Mott, 10; Michael Mayeski, 10; Bill Conaboy, President/CEO; Kathy Brady, 25; Connie Wandalowski, 30; and Bob Ames, Vice President, Community Services. Middle row: Joe Sharpe, 20; John Stassi, 5; Sara Regula, 5; Barb Wade, 30; John Yeager, 25; Mark Kwiatkowski, 5; Ricky Pell, 10; and Brian Ives, 30. Front row: Joseph Maciejeski, 15; John Bittenbender, 25; Mary Beck, 5; Charlotte Stewart (seated), 5; Marcy Judge, 10; and Beau Marchegiani, 5.