#35 Days To FASDay – Invocation

FASDay Invocation & Poem

(This beautiful and inclusive prayer was written and delivered by Sister Eileen Power at the Toronto observance, and has been updated. It’s freely available for anyone in the world who wants to use it. If you use it, please credit Sister Eileen Power, and mention that she is a teaching sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame in Toronto.)

by Sr. Eileen Power, CND

O Great Spirit, Creator of the Universe, we gather on the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month in the (first year of the New Millennium).
Our connection with our whole world is made visible in a special way today.
People in every time zone gather, as we gather, to change our world.
By our coming together and our working together, we will make the world better.
Accept our prayers with all who are praising you this very moment and with all who will gather today.
As we begin (this millennium), we are filled with hope,
O Ever-Creating God,
that in the circle of life,
in the cosmos, in the womb,
in our hearts,
your hope goes round,
your strength goes round,
your power goes round,
your love goes round and
our hearts and spirits are joined in a new birth.

We gather to intensify our awareness of the fragile beauty of life from the first moment of conception, of the privilege of the nine months of pregnancy, and of our resolve to help all children and adults with fetal substance disorders to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

All of our words, gestures and hopes of today:
Our silence and our bells,
Our dance and our reflection,
Our words and our drums,
Our children and our knots,
Our lullabies and our resolve,
All of our words, gestures and hopes of today,
Are powerful reminders that life is your gift to us.
May the drumming of our hearts, echoing the drum of the heartbeat of the universe, be the sound of your tender love.
May the knot of our connections be ever firm. And may this special moment on this special day continue to mark the beginning of change, for mothers, for fathers, for all children and for those yet-to-be, and for all of us who join in spirit today around this unique planet, so beautiful, so fragile, so large and yet so small. Together, we are family.

“The Integrity of Hope” (optional)

This is a warm and positive way to end your event, particularly if it is read by a birth mother or person living with FASDs.

The Integrity of Hope

by Michael Kami, 1993

Just as the gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wing

Can change the path of a hurricane

So the gentle beat of a child’s heart

Can change the destiny of the world.

Children are our future and our hope.

Only they determine humanity’s progress.

We must protect all children.

We must feed all children.

We must educate all children.

We must love all children.

They are we and we are they,

In a joint journey to a better future!

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#36 Days To FASDay – Need proclamation copy?

Did you get a proclamation from a city, county or state leader?

Here’s an example of State Verbage –
but city proclamations are great too!

Office of the Governor

PROCLAMATION
*FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY*

WHEREAS, healthy children are the most important resource in the great State of (your city or state); and
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading cause of mental retardation in (your city or state), the United States, and all of western civilization; and
WHEREAS, as many as 1 in every 100 individuals in these United States may be adversely affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; and
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects are a root cause of numerous social disorders, including learning disabilities, juvenile delinquency, school drop-outs, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime; and
WHEREAS, economists estimate that each individual with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects will cost the U.S. taxpayer nearly two million dollars in his or her lifetime; and
WHEREAS, people around the world will be observing International FAS Day on September 9, 20___, in order that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, (governor’s name), Governor of the State of (your state), do hereby proclaim September 9, 20___ as
*FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY*
in (your state), to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, to increase compassion for those individuals so affected, to minimize further effects, to ensure healthier communities across (your state) in the future.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of (your state)
______________________________ (Governor’s name)
GOVERNOR

DONE at the Capitol in (state capital) on this _______ day of _____________ in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and ___

ATTEST: ______________________________ (Name of Secretary of State) Secretary of State

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#37 Days To FASDay – Send invitations

SEND INVITATIONS TO YOUR EVENT!

The Invitation can be simple to do.
This can be e-mailed, and personalized as much as possible — e.g., add a note in your own handwriting.

Here is the link to E-Vite or post it on your FACEBOOK in events and add your friends

(Your letterhead and date)

Dear Friend,

In one “Magic Minute,” on September 9, at 9:09 a.m., you can help us begin to change the world.
Please join us for a breakfast video premiere on September 9, at 8:45 a.m., at (location) as we connect with others around the world who will be observing the second annual International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day.

Researchers now believe that as many as 1 in 100 North Americans are struggling with brain damage caused when their mothers consumed alcohol in pregnancy. This means that right here in (city, town, or region) of the (check number of babies born locally each year) 0000 babies born annually, about 00 will never reach the intellectual potential they possessed when they were conceived.

These children will be at high risk of mental retardation or learning disabilities, school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, alcohol or drug addiction, trouble with the law, incarceration, homelessness, and poverty. Nearly 100% will be diagnosed with mental illness during their lifetimes. Research indicates that each person living with fetal alcohol damage will cost the taxpayers about $2 million in his or her lifetime.

Our FAS Day program will begin with the reading of the civic/(state?) FAS Day proclamation, and then we will join numerous communities in this time zone, in the “Minute of Reflection.” On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the first year in this new Millennium, we will ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol. We also ask the world to remember those individuals who are struggling with the effects of maternal drinking before they were born.

We feel privileged to offer the premiere of the new (either: all-Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, (24 mins.) (OR) “FAS: Everybody’s Baby” (35 mins) distributed by Fasstar Enterprises and John Kellerman, a young man with FAS.

It will be followed by (keynote speaker or panel).

By learning more about FAS, you can help us to make a difference.

Please RSVP (name and number) before (date), and indicate how many people in your group will be attending.

Yours truly,
(Your name and position)

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#38 Days To FASDay – FASDay Guide

Easy FASDAY Guide
ABCs

A. Agenda for the FAS Day Breakfast Premiere

We have mapped out a simple, informal breakfast premiere for any size group, which begins at 8:45 a.m. on September 9, and lasts between 1 ½ – 2 hours. It includes some of the suggestions in the longer “How-to-do FAS Day Manual,” which you can find on the Internet at www.fasday.com 

Your event should begin promptly at 8:50 a.m.,
so we suggest you invite your guests for 8:45.

Suggested agenda:
8:50 a.m. Opening Remarks
8:55 a.m. Reading of local FAS Day proclamation
9:00 a.m. Reading of ecumenical Invocation (optional)
9:09 a.m. “Minute of Reflection.”

Your group may want to participate in the International Bell Concordance, linking up with others who will be ringing bells, chimes and carillons nine times at 9:09 a.m. in time zones around the world. Or you may want a poem, prayer, song, or just a minute of simple silence.

9:10 a.m. Refreshments.

Participants serve themselves a drink and a snack at an informal buffet table, then…
9:20 a.m. Video Premiere.
Sit down to watch the new video. (Popcorn optional.)

Following video: brief washroom break.

9:50 a.m. Presentation.

Informal speaker or speakers plus (optional) brief musical entertainment – such as a local children’s choir or local musician – OR panel discussion.

Download these Presentation Notes prepared by Teresa Kellerman.

10:30 a.m. Poem. Program closes with reading of a brief poem, “The Integrity of Hope,” by Michael Kami, possibly by a birth mother or survivor of FAS. (Optional)

B. Buying the Videos

• To obtain the 24-min. Canadian video, Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, check in with Pat Spadetto of Ontario’s North for the Children, $50 includes shipping and handling. The video will be provided free to all Ontario CAPC and Aboriginal Head Start sites. This honest and inspiring video looks at two children with FAS — one five-year-old girl, and one young adult man — and their remarkable mothers, one a birth mother, and one an adoptive mom. Pat can be reached by email: tbfnorth@onlink.net or by phone: Kirkland Lake (705) 567-5926, fax (705) 567-2466.
• The 35-min. U.S. video is available for only $20 (US Dollars) plus $5 S&H. This video now comes with a free set of handouts and a free 8½ x 11 color glossy poster “101 Reasons” as seen here: http://come-over.to/FAS/littleone.htm. The video can be ordered here: http://come-over.to/FAS/store/fasvideo.htm.
• For a double whammy, why not show BOTH videos?
• If you want to join up online with international FAS Day activists, visit www.fasworld.com and join the FASDAY mail list.

c. CHECKLIST (download here)

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#40 Days To FASDay – Press Releases – Get Latest Data

Begin to Prepare Your Media Release Ideas for International FASDay – Get your media strategy started 

Don’t forget your other public places to share

(Jeff Noble has some great ideas) at 

• blogs 
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• twitter
• Google plus
• community events calendar 
• church bulletins
• school and association newsletters 

Suggested Media Release for Canada (should fit on single page):

For Immediate ReleaseContact:
(contact person’s name)
(contact person’s phone number)
(use actual date)
(contact person’s e-mail address)
(Name of your organization)

Fights FAS: International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day Video Premiere, Sept. 9
“Our house was in turmoil from the time he got up until the time he fell asleep, probably about ten o’clock – and then I would crawl into bed, totally exhausted, and cry myself to sleep every night because I felt like such a failure,” says Guelph’s Chris Margetson, parent of a son with FAS, in a compelling new Ontario-produced video.
The 25-minute video, “Different Directions: Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,” will be offered, along with an informal breakfast, when (Name of your organization) marks International FAS Awareness Day on September 9 at 8:45 a.m., at (location), and observes the worldwide “Minute of Reflection” at 9:09 a.m.
“We’ll be joining parents and professionals around the world in building awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,” says (name and position of spokesperson). “On this second annual FAS Awareness Day, people from Nunavut to New Zealand will participate. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not drink alcohol.”
(name of your city or town) will be among many Canadian communities to use FAS Day to launch the new video, produced by Ontario’s North for the Children and Toronto’s Breaking the Cycle with the assistance of Health Canada.
The video focuses on two children with FAS and their mothers: 5-year-old Brenda, and her adoptive mother, Kim Meawasige, both of aboriginal ancestry; and young adult Joe and his birth mother Chris Margetson, of non-native background. Both Meawasige and Margetson work with FAS professionally, and bring to their work compassionate understanding of the struggle faced daily by children with FAS – and their families.
In one of the more touching moments in the video, Meawasige, adoptive mother of four children with FAS/FAE, bursts into tears. “Knowing how many kids are lost, either killed or living on the street with FAS and FAE, it scares me…One of the reasons I adopted (my children) is because I know that …no matter how weird our family is, we’re family and we’ll be there for them.”
Following the screening of the video, (what else is on your program?) All are welcome. For more information, call (contact name and number).

Suggested Media Release for U.S. (should fit on single page):

For Immediate Release
Contact:
(contact person’s name)
(contact person’s phone number)
(use actual date)
(contact person’s e-mail address)
(Name of your organization)

Fights FAS: International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day Video Premiere, Sept. 9

The 35-minute video, “FAS: Everybody’s Baby” (that focuses on teenagers who struggle with the effects of alcohol in their lives) will be offered, along with an informal breakfast, when (Name of your organization) marks International FAS Awareness Day on September 9 at 8:45 a.m., at (location), and observes the worldwide “Minute of Reflection” at 9:09 a.m.
“We’ll be joining parents and professionals around the world in building awareness about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,” says (name and position of spokesperson). “On this second annual FAS Awareness Day, people from Alaska to New Zealand will participate. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should not drink alcohol.”
(name of your city or town) will be among many U.S.communities to use FAS Day to launch the new video, produced by the U.S. Dept.of Education.
Promoting zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs during pregnancy, the video is particularly aimed at problem teenagers who are at risk for both unplanned pregnancy and substance abuse. The film concludes with a reflection from adolescents on what parenting is all about, how it begins in the womb, and the responsibilities of the mother and father. “It’s an excellent film for teenagers,” says Teresa Kellerman of Tucson’s FAS Community Resource Centre, “and it will make an impact on viewers of all ages.”
Following the screening of the video, (what else is on your program?) All are welcome. For more information, call (contact name and number).

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#42 Days To FASDay – Meet Chancer Service Dog for FASD

Learn about service dogs for children with FASD – Meet Chancer the worlds first certified FASD service dog. 

We want to thank Rabbi Harvey and Donnie Kanter Winokur and their children for speaking out boldly to build awareness of FASD. Their dog Chancer (www.thechancerchronicles.com) is the world’s first certified service dog for FASD and other wonderful fur partners have been following in his paw steps. Their materials have provided hope and love for many.

The Winokur family offers the following international and national award winning materials to help people understand and love persons with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

1. For Siblings of Children with FASD —My Invisible World – My Brother, His Disability and His Dog – by Morasha Winokur    Written by an eleven year old sibling about growing up along side a same age brother discovered at four to have FASD. The Winokur family shares their journey with a service dog for FASDs. Learn about what a canine service dog can do for families with children who have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
2. A Delightful Story for Children ages 3+ – Nuzzle Love Between a Boy and His Service Dog – Audio Book – by Donnie Kanter Winokur – An audio book that warms the heart and builds understanding and a tender age for persons with FASD
3. An Early Reader for Children ages 6-8 – Nuzzle Love Between a Boy and His Service Dog by Donnie Kanter Winokur – A gentle story and FREE Curriculum to build understanding and prevent bully

Online Manual – www.fasday.com

Seminar – Or try our easy, effective, exciting 1½ hour program that walks you

 through the morning of Sept.9: http://www.come-over.to/FASDAY/ABCDEFG/ 

(material from 2002 has excellent ideas)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

Follow us through the next 60 days and plan your local or personal project to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder – Each One Can Reach One!

Need family support visit www.toolboxparent.com

Need ideas for adults living with challenges of FASD visit www.braidedcord.net

Need information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders visit www.betterendings.org

Interested in service dog for FASD visit www.thechancerchronicles.com

Share on facebook

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#43 Days To FASDay – Write some letters

Write a Letter to the President or Your Country’s Leader! Write to your mayor or the university president in your community

Write a Letter to the President
or Your Country’s Leader!

This is a great summer family fun project…
Everyone can “make some noise” –
artwork, postcards and note cards are great from kids

Dear President Obama,
Let me tell you about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASD,
…..go kids you can do it!!!
As part of International FASD Awareness Day,
please join us in this easy, free activity
to help raise awareness of FASD at the highest
levels of our government.

This idea originated with Tami Eller, a member of our local FASD Council.
Cheri Scott, FASD Family Support Project – Stone Soup
http://www.stonesoupgroup.org/

A knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other.
M.C. Richards

Dear President Obama…

Let me tell you about FASD…

International FASD Awareness Day Letter Writing Campaign.

Did you know that President Obama reads 10 letters each night written by everyday Americans? Imagine if every letter the President read was written by someone whose life is impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

If everyone affected by FASD writes to the President prior to September 9th then the probability of him opening even one letter regarding FASD is incredible. The more letters, the higher the probability that all ten letters he reads will be written by those affected by FASD.

• Are you a parent of a child with FASD?
• Are you an adult with FASD?
• Doesyour sibling have FASD?
• Do you teach a child or an adult with FASD?
• Are you a grandparent of a child with FASD?

For everyone person born affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, everyone who loves that individual lives are also affected.

Join us in educating President Obama regarding the most prevalent of all birth defects: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Join us in asking President Obama to ring a bell at 9:09 am on September 9 to recognize the importance of Nine Months of an Alcohol Free Pregnancy.

Starting the week of September 1 send a letter to President Obama telling him your story of how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have affected yourself and those you love.

Send President Obama a letter to at:
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Must be mailed by August 17th!
OR
Send President Obama an email by filling out the form at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Talking Points

The Facts:

• Fetal alcohol exposure is an international and national crisis
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes permanent brain damage
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol is the leading cause of mental retardation
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% and easily preventable – simply no alcohol consumption during pregnancy
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a life long disability – from cradle to grave
• More babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders than Autism Spectrum Disorders or Downs Syndrome
• There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy
• It is estimated that more than half of the prison population is affected by FASD
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol costs the United States millions of dollars a year to provide services to individuals affected by a FASD
• Early identification and intervention has huge impacts on the reduction of mental health concerns and behaviors resulting in legal intervention
• Even with early identification and intervention, individuals with a FASD will need to lifelong supports

The Daily Realities of Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
As a Parent:

• Struggles with you have raising your child with FASD
• Struggles you have explaining the invisible brain damage to others who deal with your child* Struggle finding appropriate services for your child
• The lesson you have learned in your journey of raising a child affected by FASD
• Your dreams for your child

As an Adult affected by FASD

• Struggles you had to overcome in your lifetime
• Strengths and talents you have
• Accommodations that enable you to be successful

As a Profession working with individuals affected byFASD

• What systematically is working for your clients
• What systematically is not working for your clients
• Struggles your clients face on a daily basis
• Struggles you face on a daily basis in obtaining resources for your clients
• What resources are necessary for your clients to be successful

What needs to happen

• Proclamation by the President of the United States recognizing September 9th as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy
• Ask him to ring a bell at 9:09 am on September 9 in recognition of the individuals affected by FASD.
• Diagnostic teams in all 50 states to facilitate and identify early diagnosis and intervention
• More resources toward prevention and early intervention

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#44 Days To FASDay – A FASWorld Fable

A FASWorld Fable

(To Share at Your FASDay Event from Bonnie and Teresa)

Once upon a time, not too very long ago, Beautiful Blue Butterfly Bonnie flew across the sunny skies from the Nippy North down to the Sultry South, where she met Tucson Turquoise Tutterfly Teresa. They spoke of their butterfly babies and tutterfly troubles, and wistfully whispered of all the other butterfly babies in the world who couldn’t fly because their baby butterfly wings could not develop enough for them to fly freely on their own. The baby butterflies were always flying into terrible trouble.

! ! ! ! ! Tutterfly Teresa told Butterfly Bonnie all she knew about broken baby butterflies and their booze-battered brains.

Tiger Butterfly – Book Two Bootleg Brothers Series Available September 2013

Butterfly Bonnie shared all she knew about the overwhelming ! obstacles that must be overcome by all the mamas and the papas and their blessed baby butterflies.
Together the two shared their worthy wisdom. They lamented at length.
Butterfly Bonnie said, “Let’s save all those baby butterflies!”
Tutterfly Teresa said, “How can we do that? We are only two burned out bedraggled butterflies. We cannot save the world.”
To which BB replied, “Oh, we may not save the whole wacky world, but we can save some of the suffering souls trapped with their tattered and torn, worn wings. I have my Big Brainy Butterfly Brian to help me, and Cute Little Clutterfly Colette! And back home in the Nippy North is Nifty Nutterfly Nancy.”
TT said, “Well then, that is five of us – ten wings in all. What kind of a flap can five FAS friends make?”
Butterfly Bonnie said, “Have you not heard?
‘The oscillation of butterfly wings in Brazil may set off storms in Texas.’ “
“Brazil?” exclaimed TT. “I know some terrific tot-tutors in Texas, but I don’t know any butterflies in Brazil.”
“Oh, but you will! You will! Brazil and beyond.” Butterfly Bonnie continued to cheerfully chatter. “If we mobilize and motivate all the other butterflies in the world, just think what storms we could set off! Not just in Texas, but in Tucson and Toledo and Toronto and Everywhere that our butterflies beat their beautiful wings! Why, we might even move mighty mountains.”
So Butterfly Bonnie flew back to the Nippy North and stirred up serious storms all over earth space.
And Tutterfly Teresa flew back to the internet and intermitently interrupted inertia all over cyberspace.
Before long there were hundreds of busy butterflies making wonderful waves of awareness, telling their true tales, procuring proper proclamations, mobilizing media, bringing bells a-ringing,
“Nine! Nine! Ninety-Nine!”

And so, air waves announced and reporters revered all the awesome events planned and produced proudly by those sixty successful blessed butterflies on that fine Fall day. Ripples reverberated across the peaceful planet, telling the truth about the broken baby butterflies. Beyond the barriers of ignorance and indifference, the message of mothers and fathers afar:
“Desist the destruction of the delicate development of those wee little wings of the babies we bear. Try not to trample those innocent individuals whose wings cannot wend their way so well. Listen and learn. Don’t forget and regret. Beware and take care!’
And they did!

The moral of the story is this…
Never underestimate the power of the pen, the wonders of the web, and the beating of butterfly wings in the wind. Especially esteem the miracles of mothers and daddies who love their little lassies and laddies above all on the earth in this fabulous family called FASWORLD.
And to think it all began with one Beautiful Blue Butterfly… Bonnie! Read thank you messages sent to Butterfly Bonnie Buxton here.

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#45 Days To FASDay – Historical memories

From the first FASDay Celebration on 9.9.99 – Ideas you can still use!

Here are some events as FAS Day #1 moved around the world – feel free to borrow ideas. Special thank you to Bonnie Buxton, Bruce Richie and Teresa Kellerman – if three people were able to get this much movement and awareness – think what all of us together can do today!

1. Aukland, NZ: Breakfast for FAS supporters, Minute of Reflection bells ringing in nearby Mt. Albert Methodist Church. Events also held in Wellington, Hamilton and Invercargill.
2. Cape Town, South Africa: program outside historic 37-bell War Memorial Carillon, which rang when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
3. Kiel, Berlin, Flensburg and Hamburg, Germany: posters, buttons, info stand in town centre; information evening for Social Services, teachers, physicians; famous restaurant giving free nonalcoholic drinks to pregnant women all day long.
4. Iqualuit, Nunavut, Canada: events included church bells, art exhibit featuring soapstone carving donated by famous artist Ookpik Pitseolak, showing drinking mother with baby in Aamouti@ (parka hood.)
5. Toronto, ON, Canada: program inside Metropolitan United Church included international lullabies on church carillon, native drum singer/elder offering prayer in English and Ojibwa, keynote address by Dr. Carolyn Bennett, federal Member of Parliament.
6. Sioux Lookout, ON, Canada: program in local park featuring sharing circle, prayer by First Nations elder, Minute of Reflection with wind chimes and rain sticks.
7. Kenora, Keewatin, Jaffrey Melick, ON, Canada: poster distribution to doctors= offices, three-level curriculum offered to teachers.
8. Toledo, OH, U.S.A.: Day-long activities included hot-air balloon with words on it, AFAS: THE HIDDEN PLAGUE@ and matching yellow AHidden Plague@ T-shirts.
9. Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.: 9:09 a.m. bells included two carillons, City Hall, three cathedrals, two other churches, followed by large rally and speeches outside State Courthouse.
10. San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.: Day-long information program for teachers and others concerned with FAS, included presentations from FAS Day volunteers, Claudia Barker, and Dr. Bob Clayton.
11. Austin, TX, U.S.A.: program built around the 56-bell Kniker Carillon at University of Texas.
12. Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.: 9:09 a.m. bells at St. Augustine Cathedral; outdoor program featuring two young people who struggle daily with FAS.
13. Lakeland, AB, Canada: five communities participated in day-long events, including poster blitz, mall display, bars offering Apregnant pause@ nonalcoholic drinks for pregnant women, church bells ringing, junior high school students making FAS Knots, proclamations in all five communities.
14. Red Deer, AB, Canada: all-day mall displays, use of FAS brochures as place-mats in local restaurants.
15. Brooks, AB, Canada: A 9-block walk to symbolize the 9 months of pregnancy, with Atrimester@ information provided every three blocks. At the end of the walk the handouts were assembled into a picture of a healthy bouncing baby.
16. North Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Co-ed sweatlodge held by AChange of Seasons Society@ with traditional pipe ceremony, prayers at 9:09 a.m., on Capilano Reserve.
17. Port Orchard, WA, U.S.A.: Bells of United Methodist Church, at the edge of a scenic hilly bay overlooking the Pacific, plus prayer ceremony. Bells were heard for miles and miles

Fun gear buttons – t-shirts – drinkware – office products

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org

#46 Days To FASDay – Join or create an easy survey

Conduct a Simple Survey or Quiz
Easy to do…

Invite the general public to the 

Million Mind March FASD Awareness 
Link the quiz and invite friends to answer

• How often can a pregnant woman drink alcohol? 

Teen Survey –

• At your high school
• At the local mall
• At your sports events

Conduct a FASD Teen Survey in your community. Just find one teen who knows 20 other teens, and you will be participating in a nation-wide survey. All this takes is a $5 donation to the teen who conducts the survey to pay for 20 mini candy bars.

The survey can be downloaded here.

Expressing a voice for the voiceless encouraging the building of better baby brains – http://www.betterendings.org