CARDINALS CARE AWARDS $3,000 GRANT TO SHOWME AQUATICS & FITNESS

ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from Cardinals Care, the St. Louis Cardinals team community foundation. The grant will be used to purchase a hi-lo treatment/changing table, four wet vests and two 4-in-1 activity centers.

“We are grateful to Cardinals Care for their generosity,” said Carolyn Sprehe, Aqua Ability Program Manager. “Being able to purchase this type of equipment offers our program participants greater opportunity for independence and improving their cognitive skills.”

In order to be considered for the grant, ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness had to meet the following criteria: serve youth under 20 years old, operate in ‘Cardinals Country’, be a 501(c)3 organization, have a budget size less than $2,000,000 and administration/fundraising expenses do not exceed 30% of total budget.

Thank you, Cardinals Care!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2009

Sandy Dailey, Aqua Ability and ShowMe Sports Program participant, was presented with a Missouri Unsung Hero Award by Senator John E. Griesheimer (District 26) on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at a regular session of the Missouri Senate.

"She is an ordinary person doing extraordinary things against unbelievable odds," said her cousin, Deana Matlock of Branson. "Each time life seems to knock her down, she pulls herself up by her boot straps and keeps on going." Deana and Sandy’s sister, Lisa Kepper of Kansas City nominated her for the award.

Last April, Missouri senators were asked to survey their districts to find individuals living every day to the fullest and persevering when faced with challenges.

Deana said she heard the announcement on a local television station and immediately put pen to paper and submitted the nomination to Senator Griesheimer who represents the district in which Sandy lives.

Sandy was injured three years ago in a fall from a ladder while doing work on her home. Doctors told her she had a very slim chance of ever walking again, but that only fueled her spirited fire! Today, Sandy is an avid wheel chair racer and has traveled the country to participate in many marathons. She also recently completed a degree in criminology, returned to full-time employment, and is focusing on her next endeavor, a 257-mile race in Alaska!

Sandy was joined in Jefferson City by many of her family members, coming as far away as Dallas as well as her ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness coaches Steve and Alicia Bunn and Jeff Campbell, Vice President-Operations.