Step Forward Day 2012 Projects

Outdoor Activities * Replanting 5 existing flower & vegetable beds & installing new flower bed in schools nature garden * Creating a hummingbird garden and a butterfly garden within 2 of the existing beds * Updating existing landscaping with Texas Native Plants * Weatherproofing tables & benches * Installing of water feature, including solar powered water pump * Installing art benches in nature garden (painted by volunteers at Mad Potter on 8/28) Indoor Activities * Creating & installing 6 X 6 puzzle mural with students of Westview School * Organizing and updating of library * Painting Christmas Play set * Making holiday & school cards for the students to receive throughout the year

Food & Activities

* Snacks (including special Step Forward Day 2012 sugar-free cupcakes) will be provided * Serve alongside local celebrities, media personalities, & elected officials * Miss Texas USA 2012 Brittany Booker *Michelle Merhar (FOX 26 Traffic Reporter) * Courtney Zubowski (KHOU Reporter) * Houston Yellow Cab antique cars * Goody bags for Westview students

Step Forward Day 2012 Partners

FACT SHEET
ABOUT STEP FORWARD DAY Step Forward Day began in 1988 from the vision of two Pepperdine University students who recognized the need for volunteers in the local community and wanted to share their passion for service with their peers. The projects began as small acts of service from helping with repairs on homes of local senior citizens to planting gardens at a local elementary school. Today, 24 years later, the reach of Step Forward Day has grown to include over 50 community organizations spanning from Los Angeles (involving over 1,400 Pepperdine students, staff and faculty members) to alumni chapters across the nation. Step Forward Day is a simple yet profound way for the Pepperdine community to participate in its mission and calling of living lives of purpose, service and leadership. By serving a meal in a soup kitchen, planting a tree, reading a book to a child, lending a helping hand to a teacher, or cleaning up a local park, the Pepperdine community stands alongside the people in its communities who dedicate their lives to serving others. This will be 5th year Houston Alumni have participated. As the Houston Alumni participation began, a wonderful partnership in Service was formed with the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline.

ABOUT THE WESTVIEW SCHOOL The Westview School is a private, non-profit school founded in 1981 to provide a structured, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders which prevent them from being successful in regular programs for children. Today, the schools student body is comprised of children ages two through middle school, who have been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or related Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The program is unique in its ability to meet the needs of high-functioning children with ASD, not only offering a full academic program but also addressing the social and language challenges which make mainstreaming into regular classes so difficult. Enhancing selfconfidence and building appropriate behaviors are an integral part of the program.

ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF HOUSTON SKYLINE Rotary is a 107 year-old humanitarian organization with nearly 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Rotarys motto is Service Above Self, and has exemplified what this means through its almost one billion dollars and volunteer hours spent to immunize over two billion children eradicating Polio by 99% since 1985. Rotary Skyline is a Rotary club geared for the next great wave of Rotarians (young and youngat-heart) that meets over cocktails and appetizers every Tuesday at 6pm at the 43rd Floor Restaurant and Bar at Wedge Building (1415 Louisiana, Houston, TX). We profoundly impact the community, we network, we socialize, we make a difference together while having tons of fun! You can find out more about the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline at www.rotaryhoustonskyline.org.