Durand News and Current Events

Autism, Epilepsy & Seizures: How to Recognize the Signs and Basic First Aid When You Do

2010-02-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation (DJF) has produced and released as a public service, an informational brochure entitled, Autism, Epilepsy & Seizures: How to Recognize the Signs and Basic First Aid When You Do, that specifically focuses on Autism, Epilepsy and the Co-Condition as well as how to recognize seizures and basic first aid that is recommended by the Epilepsy Foundation. The brochure was collaborative effort with DJF Advisory Board Member and renowned child and adolescent neurologist, Dr. Ruth Nass who practices at the NYU Child Study Center at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey and Autism Family Services of New Jersey.

The complete brochure that includes a fold-open chart to be displayed in community settings can be downloaded, reproduced and read free of charge by clicking the image on the left or by visiting The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation as well as the websites of the brochure’s collaborators and other autism organizations including Autism Speaks, OAR and SAARC.

“It is our hope that this informational brochure will create awareness among those affected by Autism and the community at large about the prevalence of this co-condition and will offer a starting point for further inquiry with one's physician," said Linda Walder Fiddle, Executive Director of DJF. "We want first responders, classroom teachers, service providers and families to use the informational fold-out chart that describes different types of seizures and what to do if one occurs," added Dr. Nass "and hopefully this will help them to identify a potential seizure and even better, help save someone's life."

Durand Thrift Store and Woodbury HS Join Forces For Community

2010-01-27T11:56:00.001-08:00

Durand Thrift Store and Woodbury HS Join Forces For Community

January, 2010—Woodbury, NJ—Students from Woodbury High School will be helping to lend their support in design and merchandising of the Durand Thrift Store through the school’s Option II program, which allows students to earn high school credit for learning experiences outside of the classroom, including community service.

In addition to providing inexpensive clothing and household goods to Woodbury and the larger community, the non-profit Durand Thrift Store, open since October 2009, helps employ adults with special needs, ranging from Downs Syndrome to Autism. These adults help sort through donations, unpack boxes and assist in donation pick-ups. The store is managed by personnel with Durand Academy & Community Services, an organization serving special needs children and adults throughout South Jersey since 1972. The Thrift Store is located at 549 Evergreen Avenue in the Evergreen Square Shopping Center.

Woodbury High School seniors and national honor society students, Megan Downey, Ashleigh Pollitt, and Chloe Berger, volunteered to assist with window decorating, in-store displays and design of the Thrift Store. Option II is part of the academic and professional standards from the NJ Department of Education, which serves as an alternative to traditional high school courses and involves in-depth experiences that may be provided by school district personnel or instructors not employed by the school district.

Kathy Stalter-Allen, the high school’s Option II Coordinator, said, “we are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide several of our students with merchandising and store design experience, while supporting a non-profit organization that does so much good for the community.” The participating students are all college bound and excel academically and in their extra-curricular activities. Pollitt is class president and won second place in last year’s talent show. Downey is the National Honor Society vice-president and co-president of the school dance club with Pollitt. According to Stalter-Allen, “all three students also show a flair for design.” Pollitt who dreams of opening her own clothing store or dance studio one day, said she “loves helping the community.” Downey, who would like to be a speech and language pathologist, is “excited to do something new and be of help.” Pollitt added that she’s “looking forward to letting her creativity shine.” Berger is an accomplished musician and band member and is eager to provide some “extra sparkle” to the Thrift Store.

According to Susan Sedlack Durand’s Thrift Store Director, “this is a wonderful partnership with Woodbury High School. The students are providing us with an invaluable service. We’re ecstatic to have their creativity, enthusiasm and support in helping us present a vibrant, store appearance.”

“This is truly a win-win for the high school students, Thrift Store and the larger community,” added Stalter-AllenThe Durand Thrift Store operates Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays 9 to 3. Volunteers to assist with daily operations are always needed please call RoseMary Smith at 856-235-3540 or emailing: r.smith@durandac.org and Donations are always accepted. Pick-up of items can be arranged by calling 856-845-8913 or emailing: s.sedlack@durandac.org

The non-profit Durand Academy and Community Services has been devoted to serving children and adults with special needs and their families throughout South Jersey since 1972. They have a K-8 school, Durand Academy in Woodbury near the Thrift Store, group homes throughout South Jersey, in addition to two vocational day programs. They also offer respite services for families, workshops for parents and more. For further information, logon to www.durandac.org, or call 856-235-3540

New Durand Thrift Store Offers Bargains With Heart Picking Up Donations Daily

2009-06-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

Woodbury, NJ--January, 2009 The new non-profit Durand Thrift Store, open since October, is doing a brisk business and still has many bargains available, including never-used, still tagged items, and brand-name children’s, men’s and women’s clothing from Gap, Chicos, JJill, Gymboree, Children’s Place, Abercrombie and Aeropostale. New bath and body products, knick-knacks, music CD’s, toys, books, electronics, furniture and more are among the store’s offerings. Most items range between $1.00 and $10.00 and throughout the year the store allows customers to stuff a paper shopping bag full of clothing for only $10.00 a bag. Recently, Sheree Artis of Woodbury shared her secret for stacking the most clothes in the bag. “Rolling each item is the key!” she said. Sheree, who was shopping with son Parris, 3 and daughter Serenity 2, visits the store several times a week and always finds something new. She primarily purchases clothing and toys.

Durand Thrift Store, which accepts and displays new donations daily, is managed by personnel with the non-profit Durand Academy & Community Services at which 15 special needs adults with disabilities ranging from Down’s Syndrome to Autism, assist as part of Durand’s day program. These adult day center clients sort through donations, unpack boxes and assist in donation pick-ups. Extensive back-room space allows adults to eat lunch, relax and socialize when they aren’t working. The store is located at 549 North Evergreen Avenue in the Evergreen Square Shopping Center and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 4 and Saturdays 9 to 3. Donations may be dropped off or will be picked up by Durand employees. For any questions or to arrange donation pick-up, call the store at 856-845-8913. Durand provides receipts for tax purchases for all charitable donations.

According to Susan Sedlack Durand’s Adult Training Services Coordinator, the store developed when the number of new special need adult clients from the Gloucester County area grew. Durand’s original and still existing adult day program at its Mount Laurel headquarters currently consists of twenty special needs adults who produce Scentsations, a bath and body line of products, now sold at the store. They also deliver Meals on Wheels (with Durand staff driving) and perform other community services.

“When I began working at Durand 2 ½ years ago, our adult program had 19 clients. We now have 35,” Sedlack said. Fifteen clients work at the store and 20 work in Mount Laurel.

Durand transports all of the clients from their homes or providers’ homes and drives them to either the Mount Laurel location or the thrift shop in Woodbury, based upon where they live. “Our clients love seeing that the products they create and the items they unpack sell in the store,” said Sedlack. “It provides a wonderful sense of accomplishment. The funds raised go back into our organizations’ services. It’s truly a win-win for all.”

The non-profit Durand Academy and Community Services has been devoted to serving children and adults with special needs and their families throughout South Jersey since 1972. They have a K-8 school, Durand Academy, in Woodbury near the Thrift Store, group homes throughout South Jersey, in addition to the vocational day program. They also offer respite services for families, workshops for parents and more. For further information, logon to www.durandac.org or call 856-235-3540.