United Cerebral Palsy Annual Sips and Treasures
By Brandilyn Brown
Do you live a life without limits? Do you often think about what that means? United Cerebral Palsy of Stanislaus County has had a program here for 40 years. UCP’s adult day centers and Employment Services in Modesto and Turlock work hard every day to create lives without limits for its members. Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, mobility injuries, autism and many other disabilities of other diagnosis can pause lives, but UCP is making sure those pauses are short. Only 20% of their members are affected by cerebral palsy; they assist anyone affected by intellectual, physical and developmental challenges, regardless of the biological cause. Every day they hope to enrich the lives of their members by giving them independence–the kind you and I take for granted every day. Many of us have daily opportunities to make memories, make money, make new friends, and experience something new. Can you imagine NOT having those experiences every day?
The service providers at UCP strive to create stimulating environments to benefit members and encourage them to try something new. Aside from the day programs and their job placement program, they have a program called Expanding Horizons, which is devoted to (you guessed it!) expanding one’s horizons! By integrating something new in to the lives of their members, bridging the gap between mundane and exciting, makes every day an adventure. Recent trips include the Asparagus Festival, Yesterday’s Books, and outside art time. UCP in partnership with Society for Disabilities recently started a Buddy Club Program, a monthly event for youth and adults with disabilities, 16 years and older participate in socialization and friendship! A place to hang out with old friends or make new ones. Activities include crafts, snacks, music, movies, and karaoke.
One of their best fundraisers just happened last weekend, their Sips and Treasures event on April 27th at Modesto’s Vintage Gardens. Some of the funds raised will help members attend “Camp UCP” at Tuolumne Trails, located on 80 beautiful acres of Sierra Nevada wilderness outside the mountain community of Groveland, California near the grandeur of Yosemite National Park. Participants experience the great outdoors with activities such as archery, arts and crafts, dances, campfires, rock climbing and so much more.
Live entertainment was provided by the MAMA winner Patty Castillo Davis, and like always, she was phenomenal. Beer and cider stations were provided by Contentment Brewing, Tapped Apple Cider, the Ripon Brewins Homebrew Club, Buck Brewing and Drake’s Brewing. Wines were provided by E & J Gallo, Berryhill, Tanner Vineyards, Newsome Harlow, Mettler Family Vineyards, The Wine Group, and Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits. There were some really fabulous libations-don’t miss out next year on getting to experience all that Sips and Treasures has to offer.
And a special thanks goes out from me to everyone who attended, donated, purchased raffle tickets or talked about the event on social media cause they raised $40,000 for their members to enjoy life and create new memories!
Some of the things that make us human are our independence, having new experiences, sharing those experiences with others, a sense of self, a reliable income, an awareness of the community, and looking forward to daily life. All humans deserve that! If you want to help UCP in their effort to make beautiful lives, call them today to see how you can help. For more info call 209-577-2122, ext. 111.
