Day of Event Information for Buddies
Dear Make ‘m Smile Buddy,
We are excited that you are planning to “be a buddy” at our 7th Annual Make ‘m Smile event on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Thanks for joining with us to make this a special day of celebration for our VIP friends! Please carefully review the following “day of” information and map.
- Parking: The map will help you become familiar with the parking lots we have secured close to Lake Eola. As a Buddy, please park in lots labeled General parking (click here to see map). Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Come early if you can!
- Registration: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. When you arrive, you must check in at one of the two registration areas located near Robinson & Rosalind and Robinson & Eola Drive. Just look for the yellow tents! You must check in and participate in the Buddy Stroll to receive your wristband, which will give you access to the event and all of the free food and goodies (while supplies last). From there you will be directed to meet your VIP and begin the Buddy Stroll. Please let the volunteers at the Buddy Match-Up area know if you can assist a VIP that speaks Spanish or uses ASL. Please note that we cannot determine the arrival times of our VIP families, so you may be asked to wait until our VIPs arrive. Thank you for understanding.
- Your role: Your job as a Buddy is to be a friend to your VIP family for the stroll and accompany them through the exhibit area as well. We encourage you to take this opportunity to learn about your new VIP friends and some of the unique challenges that a family with a VIP kid might face. Click here for ideas on communicating with children with special needs. Also, we encourage you to invite them to attend the main entertainment program at the amphitheatre at 10:15 a.m. (This will be a time that we really honor them, so please make every effort to get them there!) If your VIP family cannot stay for the full event, please feel free to come back to the registration area to “buddy up” again with another family.
Keep in mind that these are people from the community that have signed up for the event (just like you did), and they may have no prior affiliation with Nathaniel’s Hope. Therefore, feel free to inform them about all of the programs that we offer. If you don't know, we'd love for you to explore our website and call us with any questions!
- Lots to see and do: Please take the time to review the schedule (click here) so you can be familiar with the event. There will be continuous fun for the whole family! Though you will enjoy the events of the day, please remember this day is for our VIPs! We want to make every effort to serve them, and we will have some additional gifts and goodies just for them since they are our honored guests.
- Weather: RAIN OR SHINE - COME! We will be there… unless there is a tropical storm or hurricane in the area! Be sure to bring your umbrella for help with shade from the sun or protection from the rain! For any important last minute “day-of” information, you will be able to get the most current information by tuning in to Z88.3 (ZRadio.org), WFTV Channel 9 (www.wftv.com), looking at the Make 'm Smile pages of this website, or our office at 407-857-8224.
- First Aid Tent & Respite Care Tent: There will be medical personnel on hand at our First Aid Tent should an unexpected emergency arise. There will also be a private Respite Care Tent area available if the VIP family you are with needs to change their child, use a feeding tube, suction, etc.
We want to let our VIP kids and their families know that this community cares about them. This is a day that is dedicated to honoring, encouraging, and celebrating VIP kids. God places great value on this community and has purpose for all of us. Take time to get to know a new friend that you may never have had a chance to meet. Your willingness to be a Buddy with our VIP kids and their families will be a tremendous blessing to them, and we believe that in turn you will be immeasurably blessed by your new friendship.
If you know of any others that would like to participate as VIPs, Buddies, or Sponsors, invite them to register online or call our office at 407-857-8224. VIPs and Buddies can register on Saturday morning, but we prefer pre-registration.
We look forward to having you join us as we celebrate our VIP friends! Thank you for choosing to make a difference by helping to Make 'm Smile. See you soon!
Sharing the Hope with Smiles,
Tim and Marie Kuck
Parents of Nathaniel and Co-founders of Nathaniel’s Hope
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