"Through community service, I learn what it means to be a part of something bigger than myself."

Hi everyone :) I'm Alex Jay.  I started the iCare Foundation as a way for teenagers to use their talents and abilities to help others.  The whole thing started when I met Alesha McDaniel.  She's a student at Spain Park, and she has down syndrome.  Her whole story is below.  I planned a shopping trip with some friends to buy her a new wardrobe. This event has really captured the hearts of a lot of people.  Donations have been coming in everyday, and people around the community are really getting involved.  Since this has had such a good result, I decided to find other ways for teens to help others.  I am so excited about all of the things I have planned for this program.  I can't thank the people enough who have helped me with this. I love you all so much. Also, my parents have been so supportive and loving. This Christmas is going to be amazing.  All kinds of dreams are coming true.  Thanks :)

5k Childhood Obesity Run!

 When: March 5, 2011

Where: Legion Feild

When: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

I need volunteers to help with:

-Face painting

-Running the inflatables

-Running the obstacle course

-Supervising games 

OR you can run in the 5k if you would like.

If you are interested please e-mail or text/call. 

Thanks :)

Alex- icarefoundation@yahoo.com/ 205-901-0207

Upcoming Events:

The Children's Hospital
Cheer Clinic

So I had the idea to have a cheer clinic at the local Children's Hospital.  There was a girl who said that when she got better that she wanted to be a cheerleader! I told her that I thought that she could be a cheerleader right now.  She said no, because she was too different.  Honestly, that broke my heart. I used to be a cheerleader and I had to quit because of an injury, but no matter what, cheerleading will always be in my heart.  I have a lot of friends that are cheerleaders.  Like this little girl, they are all different and cheer on different teams.  My idea was to have an all-day cheer clinic and have different cheer teams have shifts and teach cheers.  This all day event, allows kids to come at any point in the day.  Also, we are going to have some cheerleaders that cheer at local high schools teach "basketball" cheers that require kids to sit down.. so if there's a child that is in a wheel chair or too weak to stand, they can still learn cheers! Also, we were going to get a level 5 cheer team to perform at the end of the night!  I know a lot of girls are individually doing this even if the rest of the cheerleading team isn’t interested.  If you have any cheerleading background and want to help, let me know what you think :)  It would most likely take place in February or April.

Right now I know that these high schools want to teach at least one shift: (either groups or at least one individual person is going to be their helping)

-Spain Park High School (You can get information from Rachel Fritz 205-540-0027)

-Hoover High School (You can get information from myself)

-Pelham High School (You can get information from Tarsi Woods, Raegan Bright, or Ally Pitts)

Right now I know that these competitive teams are wanting to teach at least one shift:

-Ace Allstars of Alabama (You can get information from Rachel Fritz (sphs) 205-540-0027)

-Cowboys Allstars (You can get information from Katie Glass 205-876-6410 from Spain Park, Anna Holland 205-999-6382 from Pelham, or Hannah Hurst 205-876-4624 from Pelham)

Right now I know that these individuals are want to help with at least one shift:

-Julia Minopoli (SPHS)

-Mahaley Woods (SPHS)

Let me know what you think and if you would like to help:)

You can contact me at icarefoundation@yahoo.com 205-901-0207

OR Morgan Carter at 205-572-0623

Thank you :)

“True friendship is seen through the heart, not through the eyes.”

This is me and my best friend Katie Glass :) She is helping out with this program SO much.  She's been involved in the Alesha McDaniel Project and the Children's Hospital Cheer Clinic.  Thanks for helping, and being such a good friend.  I couldn't have done it without you.  

I love you :)

Volunteer Opportunities in the area:

Interested in Law?

Volunteer for the Jefferson County Teen Court:

 Mission Statement

The mission of Teen Court is to constructively allow first time juvenile offenders to take responsibility, be held accountable, and make restitution for violating the law through a peer operated sentencing hearing.

Description

Teen Court is a peer sentencing court for first time juvenile offenders charged with a misdemeanor. Teen volunteers participate in the decision-making process for dealing with juvenile delinquency, while gaining hands-on knowledge of the juvenile justice system as they serve as attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and jurors in a real sentencing hearing.

Volunteer at the Birmingham Zoo!

Click here for an online application

Teen Volunteer Opportunities

13- 18 years of age

Teen volunteers are not required to choose a category once they begin volunteering. Teen volunteers are welcome to volunteer within as many of the categories listed below as you would like.

Teen Leadership Academy – A select group of teens will be chosen to join this rewarding program. Volunteers within this program will be involved in the supervision of volunteers at major activities such as Summer Camp, Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and more. These volunteers will be provided with the opportunity to develop specific managerial skills enabling them to become well prepared for college and the job market. Teens that complete the program may be rewarded with a scholarship and the opportunity to receive college credit through local universities.

Barn Crew – Work side-by-side with zookeepers maintaining exhibits and preparing diets for many of the animals found within the barn in the Children’s Zoo. Barn Crew members may also assist with wildlife shows and other special projects as needed.

Explorer Program - Exploring is Learning for Life’s (a division within the Boy Scouts of America) career education program for young girls and boys. Exploring’s purpose is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Birmingham Zoo Teen Volunteer Explorers have special member only privileges such as quarterly trips that may include activities such as river rafting and unique activities focused on career development.

Zoofari Teen Program – Teen volunteers who have volunteered at least 50 hours with the Zoo, completed a one day Teen Training course, and have proven themselves to be mature, responsible, and reliable, may be chosen as a Zoofari Teen. Zoofari volunteers are often called upon to perform more difficult tasks that may include, supervising other volunteers, assisting animal keepers with special tasks, and more.

Education – Assist with summer and school break camps, year-round classes, animal programs, and much more as you educate and entertain some of the tens of thousands of students who visit the Zoo annually.

Animal Handlers – You will have the opportunity to become a certified handler on animals that may include chinchillas, macaws, armadillos, and even a young alligator. Animal handlers are taught how to use animal knowledge learned through training, and the animals themselves, to provide our visitors with an experience that only the Birmingham Zoo could offer.

Interpretation – From the giraffe feeding experience, to the lorikeet and butterfly aviaries, the Zoo has a number of ways for you to share your love of animals and wildlife conservation with the public. Volunteers also provide guided tours of the areas that house our large cats, primates, and native wildlife. We even have a large collection of biofacts (pelts, skulls, horns, etc.) that are perfect for giving our visitors a unique hands-on experience.

Special Events – Boo at the Zoo, ZooLight Safari, and Party for the Planet are just a few of the incredibly fun special events at the Birmingham Zoo. Volunteers assist with planning, managing, and staffing the many aspects of the special events that occur throughout the year.

Past Events:

The Alesha McDaniel Project

“It benefits you just as much as the people you serve. There is no better feeling than knowing you've made a positive impact on another person's life. It is my responsibility, due to all of the privileges I have been given, to help those that have less."

Hi Everyone :)

I know a lot of yall know about Alesha McDaniel. She's a student at Spain Park, and she has Down Syndrome. She's 20 years old and living in a group home right now. She has a pretty horrific story that I'm not going to post on facebook, but needless to say.. she needs our help.

I know I have spoken to a lot of people about the shopping trip that I have planned to take on December 12, 2010. We are meeting at the galleria at 1:00 (Hopefully that's after church for everyone) at the front entrance of Belks. Alesha needs new everything. This includes clothes, but also undergarments and etc. Alesha is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met, and she deserves to have an amazing Christmas. Since she needs such a large amount of clothes I am asking that every volunteer either purchase one article of clothing (or outfit) or donate an outfit. And if you can't buy and you just want to come that is fine, you'll still get hours. If you still want to help, but can't make the shopping trip with us then go on your own time (it will still count for communiy service). The plus of going with the group is that I can tell yall what would best fit her and what not. She is size 10-12 in the pants and she wears a Large top. I can explain more about it at the mall. 

***IMPORTANT: every hour sent shopping or any other project done for Alesha is counted as community service!! :) 

I know this is very important to me, and I want it to be important to other people too. The impact that we can make on Alesha could change her life forever. Since everyone will be contributing to her "new closet" everyone is invited to SP's Special Education Christmas Party where she will open all her gifts. I promise you that if you come and watch her open the gift you personally picked out for her and look at the smile on her face, then you will never be the same.. I can promise you that. 

Also, this doesn't just have to be a SP thing, if you hear of anyone interested that may need community service hours or just wants to hear Alesha's story and get plugged in, then by all means invite them to the shopping trip or give them my number (at the bottom of the page). 

I am also talking to some boys about getting her a dresser made and then girls can decorate it.  This will also be counted as community service. We can't send the clothes home because the others girls in the home with her take them, so we have to keep them at school. 

Yall, I can not thank yall enough for helping me with this organization. iCare is going to change so many lives, I know it. With my amazing "leadership team" that has helped me SO much, Morgan Carter, Katherine Mee, and Meg Merrit. 

I know that Alesha is going to have the best Christmas of her life. If you have any questions you can contact me at 205-901-0207 or iCarefoundation@yahoo.com Thanks again :)

St. Judes Benefit Concert!

Julianne Hough and Joe Nichols will be preforming live for the 102 Five The Bull Acoustic for the kids Concert!!  It's this wednesday at 8 oclock at Workplay!  The cool thing about St. Judes is that they will not turn someone down because of their inability to pay for treatment.  Also, St. Judes has found so many wonderful cures and your donations will help heal these wonderful kids. Tickets are only $12 dollars!!!! Come out and support this amazing cause, and see a pretty cool concert:)