Thank you to all who donated blood. 35 people were screened and 32 donated (To be confirmed by the Oklahoma Blood Institute on 12/15/2016).
The 2016 Casady Blood Drive took place at the Casady Wing from 7:30-12:30\
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 A decision to donate blood can save a life, or even several (3) if the blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma.
Waiting to be screened
There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use.
You receive a mini physical to check your: Pulse, Blood Pressure, Body Temperature, and Hemoglobin
Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.
Agents, your twelfth and final mission... is to Build a Global Fire... with your fellow Agents in a Wopida Ceremony!
Youth, Interfaith Communities, Indigenous Peoples, and all Intergenerational Allies have come to stand firmly together in unprecedented unity at Standing Rock. Agents of Compassion and Water Protectors from every continent on Mother Earth have unified to say NO to the Dakota Access Pipeline, but even more so to say a resounding YES to a future that is sane, safe, and healthy, a future that has clean water to drink for all people of the Human Family.
As this takes place, we can each begin to feel what the Dakota people call “Wopida” in our hearts and prayers. And so it is time for us to come together on the last day of the Giving Games, to Build a Global Fire of the human spirit, and unite in a Global Wopida Ceremony together!
What is the Global Wopida?
Wopida is a Dakota word with profound, infinite, eternal meaning and transformative spiritual energy. The purpose of the December 10th Global Wopida Ceremony is to be thankful and grateful for whatever Life bestows on us, knowing that every test and challenge comes into our lives for our spiritual growth and upliftment.
The Global Wopida will be the launch event for a 6 month campaign called “Build a Global Fire,” intended to keep the fires of humanity burning bright long into the New Year.
When: Today, Decemeber 10th, 10AM - 3PM Central Time
The point of Build a Global Fire is to share the transforming Spirit of Standing Rock world-wide by prayerfully igniting a six month “Global Fire” of Thanksgiving and Compassion through personal expressions on social media.
Steps of Action:
Light an honoring flame (such as a candle), then…
Take a video (or photo) stating what you are grateful for, and sharing what your intentions are for the world.
Share your fire (video/photo) with #GlobalFire on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or the Compassion Report Map!
Invite Others to Build a Global Fire!
Good luck, Agents!
This is your last mission! If you haven't already begun to do so, report and share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! We have already started to see meaningful and inspiring examples of what compassion looks like when brought to life by you and your team of Agents around the world!
The last 11 days have been a remarkable journey, made up of one act of compassion and generosity to the next from players and teams around the world, as well as from one Champion of Compassion, accepting the light of the Compassion Torch, to the next.
For Day 12, the final day of the Giving Games, we are profoundly humbled to pass the Compassion Torch from Gary Zukav, Linda Francis, and Seat of the Soul Institute to the honorable Oceti Sakowin, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
1st grade Christmas Program at UD Chapel Picture courtesy of Deputy Justin Dang
Serving our Community this Christmas Season
Article adapted from Courier article
Casady's Upper Division Youth Active in the Community (YAC) service learning students have been hard at work to organize drives and donations to help others in our Greater Oklahoma City Community. Earlier this fall, students worked together for the campus wide food drive in conjunction with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, and this month two large focus projects will benefit Infant Crisis Services (ICS) and the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
Infant Crisis Services Donation Drive - through Dec. 14
Sophomore Katherine Schoeffler, who heads up Casady's drive to support ICS, is a member of the Teen Board and has volunteered there in the summers since she was 13. In 2015, she led the drive in the Primary and Lower Divisions and this year has added the Upper Division. She is assisted by the fourth grade class, the entire Lower Division and the Primary division. The 4th graders started the project a few years ago. Katherine connected all the divisions and the experience has been hearth warming. Baby items needed are bottles, clothing, coats, hats, mittens, diapers, formula, and monetary donations can be delivered to each division's main office. The high school ended the drive competition today. The winning grade of an out of uniform and an extra out to lunch is the sophomore class. Students who wish to continue to bring donations may do so to the Harper Wing Giving Tree or take them directly to the Giving Trees at the Lower or Primary Divisions until December 14, 2016. The fourth graders will deliver donations on December 15 in Casady vans and the Primary Division students will transport their "baby store under the tree" to a very special ICS Santa Vehicle on December 16, after grandparents day.
"I have selected ICS because we, as the Casady Community, are so blessed in all that we have, in not only materials, but also connections among peers, teachers, and families to guide and assist us; however, others are not as fortunate, and often the little ones are left behind so I want to help the one in four babies who go hungry every night," Katherine said.
The ICS Hope for the Holidays Drive Team Pictures of the drive courtesy of Casady's marketing department and LD and PD administrative assistants, Mrs. Maness and Mrs. Dillier
Blood Drive - Dec. 14
Co-presidents of YAC, Seniors Miranda Tortorici and Isaiah Levingston, are in charge of the 2016 Blood Drive, which happens annually on the Casady campus to benefit the Oklahoma Blood Institute. This year it will be held in the Casady Wing on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents and those over 16 may sign up to donate blood, but walk-ins are welcome. Requirements include those 16 or 17 must weigh at least 125 lbs, and those over 18 must weigh at least 110 lbs. Permission slips for all students and ID's for all donors are required. Please join the Casady Community for a successful blood drive to support the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
The Giving Games: Youth and Schools Pay it Forward
Reflect On Yesterday's Mission
Before moving on to your eleventh mission, take a moment to reflect on yesterday’s mission. Which project or cause did your class choose to support, and why? What do you think they will do with your donation? Even if your donation is small, do you think it will make a difference? What other things could you do to make a difference for this cause?
YAC supported the Hope for the Holidays Infant Crisis Services Drive. ICS helps infants and toddlers providing most basic needs items to parents who cannot afford them. I recently became a grandmother and thinking that my grandson could be lacking diapers, clothing, or food is something very difficult to face. When I went to Sam's for the Casady Service-Learning Program donation of diapers and wipes, I was horrified at the prices. I know even Oklahoma teachers with full time jobs struggle to meet the needs of their babies. My personal donation was very small, but will buy needed formula for a baby who struggles with dietetic challenges. My grandson is desperate when he is hungry and so at peace when the warm bottle of maternal and/or formula milk reaches his lips that I treasure the fact that the few dollars I donated will do the same for a baby I will never meet and place a big smile in the face of a mother or a grandmother feeding that baby. I also think this video was in the back of my mind and in my heart this past week
Agents, your eleventh mission is to protect and restore our one and only home, Mother Earth!
Do you know what a selfie of you looks like from outer space? Well, here it is.
It looks like the WHOLE PLANET! With every person and living being on it! It is the ultimate selfie.
No matter how you spin it, we are all connected to one another. This means we all depend on each other to respect and care for the Earth so that it can continue to sustain our life, the lives of our loved ones, and the lives of all living beings!
So… your eleventh mission, Agents, is to discover ways you can give back to the Earth, our one and only home.
You can do this as an individual Agent or as a Team. As an Agent, be extra mindful of the impact you have as you go about your day. Recycle whenever possible, and compost food instead of throwing it into a garbage where it will go to a landfill. Pick up litter on the ground to protect the wildlife, and avoid littering at all costs! Take time to understand what is threatening the security of our clean water at sites like Standing Rock, and other places around the world.
As a Team, you can organize a service project to help make the Earth healthier. Organize a project where you plant trees to absorb carbon from the atmosphere while making the land more beautiful, or volunteer to clean up a nearby park or beach. Plant a garden to grow healthy, organic food, and donate some of the food to a local food shelter. Raise funds to assist Earth Protectors and Water Protectors and activists, and better yet, discover how you can become them yourselves! The sky is the limit...!
Good luck, Agents.
This is your second to last mission! If you haven't already begun to do so, report and share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! We have already started to see meaningful and inspiring examples of what compassion looks like when brought to life by you and your team of Agents around the world!
Tomorrow, on December 10th, Human Rights Day, the Giving Games will culminate in a global “Wopida,” which is an Octei Sakowin Thanksgiving Ceremony. This Wopida will be led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Chief Phil, and Faith Spotted Eagle, and brings together Indigenous communities, youth, interfaith leaders, and intergenerational allies to honor the blessings of life, light the spirit of giving, and support water protectors at Sacred Sites such as Standing Rock in North Dakota and around the world.
During the Giving Games, we have Prayed With Standing Rock and began to “Build a Global Fire” that leads up to the Global Wopida. Build a Global Fire is a collective activity where Agents of Compassion and all allies...
Each day during the Giving Games, the Compassion Torch will be passed to a different Champion of Compassion. For Day 11 of the Giving Games, we are absolutely delighted to pass the Compassion Torch from Terry Godwaldt and the Centre for Global Education to none other than Gary Zukav, his wife Linda Francis, and the Seat of the Soul Institute!
YAC Blood Drive Facilitators with Blood Bank Institute Speaker, David Cradford, Account Consultant Mr. Cradford presented an inspirational video and details of the drive as well as directed facilitation of the drive to the YAC Co-Presidents
The YAC Co-Presidents sent the following letter to the marketing department for communication with parents.
Dear Parents,
This year, we are hosting the annual 2016 Casady School Blood Drive. This is a wonderful way to volunteer while saving lives. We hope anyone who is eligible can participate. With that said, there are several guidelines in donating blood. The student donor must be at least 16 years of age. If they are 16 or 17, they must weigh at least 125 pounds. If they are 18 or older, they must only weigh 110 pounds. On blood donation day (Wednesday December 14th), we ask that the donor eats a large breakfast and hydrates several days before to ensure a healthy donation. The donation slots are available only from 7:30am- 12:30 pm. There is a sign up sheet, however walk-ins are accepted as well. On donation day, the student donor must bring a photo I.D. AND their parent permission slip, even if they are 18 years of age.
We hope to see everyone there!
Sincerely,
Miranda Tortorici and Isaiah Levingston
Co-Presidents of YAC Club at Casady (Service learning Club)
Hope for the Holidays Giving Trees Keep Growing Friendship Roots
Freezing temperatures, oh well....Think! Happy babies and toddlers !
PJ's for Premature babies!
Holiday Outfits for Infant and Toddlers!
Money to buy formula...
The Upper Division Drive ends Friday, December 9th to focus on the Blood Drive
UD donors may bring donations to the "Giving Tree" at Harper next week or take them to the Giving Trees collecting donations at the Primary and Lower Divisions until Thursday, December 15th.
A Prek child took the money she made this summer at her lemonade stand
and bought the biggest carton of diapers she could find.
ICS representatives will pick-up PD donations, December 16th giving the opportunity to the young donors to help take "the baby store under the tree" to a very special Santa Sleigh!
A 4th grader drove his mom bananas until they found time to go through the baby's closet. He found peace when he placed his donation under the LD giving tree. The LD librarian, as in years past, is busy packing donations for easy transport to ICS, when 4th graders will be delivering the donations in Casady vehicles. Selected 4th graders will represent the Hope of the Holidays Drive and take their and the high school donations on December 15th to the ICS warehouse for distribution during the holidays.
The 4th graders visited ICS before starting their poster making campaign facilitated by 4th grade teachers and YAC Project Chair, Katherine S.
Food for Thought
Reflect On Yesterday's Mission
Before moving on to your tenth mission, take a moment to reflect on the last mission. What was it like to take time to think and care about those who are not feeling well? If you were away sick, how would it make you feel knowing others are thinking about you and concerned about your well-being? To relate to or feel another’s suffering with the desire to alleviate their pain is the essence of compassion. In what other areas of your life do you feel compassion for others?
Your tenth mission, Agents, is to collect change for a meaningful cause!
You can use the #GivingTuesday Helping Hands Penny Project as a way to make your change jar. Then, decide together as a group or class which cause you want to raise money for. (You can choose from the featured projects of the Giving Games, which can be viewed here, or any cause that is meaningful to you... including projects that directly impact your community!)
Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity!
On December 10th, Human Rights Day, the Giving Games will culminate in a global “Wopida,” which is an Octei Sakowin Thanksgiving Ceremony. This Wopida will be led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Chief Phil, and Faith Spotted Eagle, and brings together Indigenous communities, youth, interfaith leaders, and intergenerational allies to honor the blessings of life, light the spirit of giving, and support water protectors at Sacred Sites such as Standing Rock in North Dakota and around the world.
During the Giving Games, we will Pray With Standing Rock and “Build a Global Fire” that leads up to the Global Wopida. Build a Global Fire is a collective activity where Agents of Compassion and all allies...
Light an honoring flame (such as a candle), then...
Take a video (or photo) stating what you are grateful for, and sharing what your intentions are for the human family.
Participants then share their creation on social media with the hashtag #GlobalFire on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or the Compassion Report Map!
When: 11/29 through 12/10 Where: Everywhere, All At Once! Why: Solidarity to Protect Mother Earth!
