 Click
on one of the links below:
Thank you from Patrick Evans
January 2011
I wanted to personally thank you for everything you and your organization have done for my nephew (Mursell Yilmaz) and my nieces (Kaitlyn & Sarah Yilmaz). Plant a Seed Foundation has provided exactly the outlet that was missing in their lives. I can see the change in the kids but I can also see the change in my sister Victoria. I don't remember a time when she was so focused on their development. The work you are doing is truly a blessing!!!
Thank you so much!
Patrick D. Evans
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Thank
You from Tracy & Brooke
September 2011
Dear Ms. Cohen-
Aviva from Lights Camera Action told me that Plant A Seed would be picking up part of the cost for Brookes fall session. I can not express how much this means to us. It has been a difficult year -and the help I have received from your organization has been such a great help. Brooke just fell in love with the class over the summer and I so wanted her to have something she could do and enjoy. You have really helped make that possible. Thank you again for going out of your way for our family.
Tracy and Brooke McGonigle
Thank You
June 2011
I am writing to thank you.
You sponsored my son in December at Action Karate Newtown. He has just completed his six month and is still going strong. He received his second belt about a week ago and has such a sense of accomplishment.
His confidence has increased and it carries over into all aspects of life. He has always been a very good student but now it is uncommon for him to receive anything under a 98%, though his grades are usually higher. He is comfortable speaking to adults and older children which before he wasn't. I am so proud of him and so very thankful to you and Action Karate Newtown.
If it wasn't for your help and The Plant a Seed Foundation, he would not have been able to attend or achieved this sense of pride about the man he will one day become. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and hope someday, I am in a position to repay you for, at the very least part of, what you have given to me and my son or to be able to help someone in my same position.
With unmeasurable gratitude
PAS
Fundraiser a Great Success
March 2011
The Plant a Seed Foundation held its third annual fundraiser on February 26th at Jericho National Golf Club. Over 200 people attended this event. There were bidding wars over the 90 silent auction items that included airline tickets, restaurant gift certificates, overnight stays at local and Philadelphia hotels, make overs, spa treatments and many other items. The live auction included a signed Chase Utley bat and Phillies tickets.
Erin Torbert, of Cambria Stables in Yardley, was recognized as the PAS sponsor of 2010. She has helped many of the children to pursue their passions for horseback riding while being an excellent role model for them to follow. Also honored was Lynn Cohen, a board member of PAS, for her untiring efforts as a volunteer. She has personally met with many of the children whose requests have been filled by PAS and keeps in contact with them as well.
The highlight of the evening occurred when a young woman who was a recipient of a PAS scholarship performed a song she had written about the foundation. With the help of PAS, she was connected to a local record producer and has been working on her music career this past year. Her performance was a true demonstration of what PAS is trying to do.
Thank
you from Jeremy
December 2010
Thank you so much for sponoring me. Action Karate Newtown is so much fun! I have learned so much already and I even received my first stripe. I love karate and you made it possible.
Plant a Seed Foundation is a great organization for kids like me. I know my mom would not have been able to send me to Action Karate without your help.
I hope you and everyone at Plant a Seed had a very merry Christmas. Also, I hope you are able to give a lot more kids such great gifts in the New Year. ASHA!
Thank you,
Jeremy
Making
dreams come true
Bucks County Courier Times November, 2010
View online
In 20 months, a new foundation has helped 50 kids and young
adults. Now, it's looking for more youths to help.
On 107 acres of her family's farmland in Lower Makefield, 25-year-old
Erin Torbert has given horseback riding lessons to many people.
For three kids who come from financially strapped backgrounds,
those classes at Cambria Stables on Yardley-Newtown Road were
more than just something to do - more than just a hobby, she
said. They were dreams, once thought to be unreachable, come
to life.
The lessons even helped repair a relationship between one girl
whom Torbert mentored and the girl's mother. And, she said, the
lessons gave all the kids a sense of pride.
"They become more outgoing and seem more confident in themselves.
They get a sense of pride," Torbert said of the kids she
has helped as part of the Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation.
Plant a Seed was founded in 2009 by Upper Makefield residents
Gene Rice and his wife, Michele, both of whom had spent years
working with the Make a Wish Foundation.
Plant a Seed has helped 50 kids and young adults by getting
them involved in something they've dreamed of doing - connecting
people with mentors for horse back riding, music lessons, hockey
training, whatever. The foundation has paired an aspiring musician
with a Julliard-trained pianist, and connected another young
person with a music industry executive.
Most kids have been from Bucks, but the foundation has also
worked to make dreams come true for kids from struggling families
as far away as Boston, said co-founder Gene Rice. He's the CEO
of Rice Cohen International, an executive search company in Lower
Makefield.
Now, foundation officials are looking to help more people between
the ages of 8 and 21. Make your recommendations on their website
at www.plantaseedfoundation.org.
"I know that there are a lot of people hurting financially," Rice
said. "The charity is based around the premise that if kids
are passionate about something, that passion will build their
self-esteem, it will give them a social network and smooth the
bumps of the teenage years. It's really for kids who have a passion
and a dream, but don't have the financial resources. There are
a lot of kids that need some help."
While organizations like the Make a Wish Foundation grant one-time
wishes, Plant a Seed connects kids with mentors who generally
spend about a year with them, Rice said.
One kid with low self-esteem walked past a karate studio daily
on his way home from school, yearning for lessons that were out
of reach financially. Plant a Seed connected him with a sensei,
a karate master. As a result, the boy's attitude is much more
positive, Rice said.
One child who's being helped by Plant a Seed is Patrick Semmens,
a 10-year-old Tullytown boy who watches Flyers games with his
dad, Kevin Semmens, and dreamed of taking hockey lessons.
Thanks to Plant a Seed, Patrick Semmens is doing just that at
the Grundy Recreation Center in Bristol. Kevin Semmens said his
son is more motivated in school and other parts of his life.
"He looks forward to it every day," Kevin Semmens
said. "It gives him an outlet."
"There's no way I could have gotten him involved in hockey," the
father said, citing financial and time restraints. "Plant
a Seed really took a lot off my shoulders."
Thank
you from Dakota Meredith
November, 2010
Dear Michele,
Thank you so much for choosing me for the Plant a Seed scholarship.
Receiving it will allow me to continue dancing this year. I've been
dancing my whole life, and it's always been a way for me to express my
emotions. It has become a huge part of my life, and a huge part of
myself. Lately however, it has become increasingly difficult for my
mother to support my dancing because of the financial instability we
have been going through. This scholarship means so much to me, and I
can never thank you enough for the opportunity to continue dancing.
Sincerely,
Dakota Meredith
Thank
you from Jared Montano
June, 2010
Dear Mrs. Rice,
Thank you so much for all you have done for me to make my summer memorable. Without the foundations help this opportunity would not be available to me. Things have been tough since my dad is gone and its nice to know that there are people like you that care. Please thank Jeff for me as well. My experience in the sports authority was one of a kind. I have many things that will last me for quite some time. My couch is awesome too. Thank you all once again for allowing me to play baseball which is one of my greatest passions..
Thank you so much for your generosity,
Jared Montano
Thank
you from Brittany Donovan
May, 2010
Dear Ms. Rice:
I would like to thank you so very much for the dance lessons
at Dance Kidz. I had a wonderful time and it was so much fun.
It was good exercise too. I am getting ready for my recital
in a few weeks. It really has given me more self confidence
and really given me something to be proud of - being part of
a group and doing my best. Thanks again.
Love,
Brittany Donovan
Plant A Seed Second Annual Fundraiser a Success
March, 2010
On Saturday, February 27th, the Plant a Seed Foundation hosted its second annual fundraiser. Over 200 people attended the event which was held at the Washington Crossing Inn. Money was raised through a silent auction, raffles and donations.
Last year’s fundraiser allowed us to fill requests for over 20 children in Bucks
County, Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Some of these requests included horseback
riding lessons, art classes, gymnastics, basketball, piano lessons, karate, dance
and swimming.
This year Plant a Seed is determined to double the number of children who receive
scholarships that allow them to pursue their passions. Plant a Seed envisions
expanding the areas and avenues in which children are referred. For further information
on how to refer a child click
here.
Thank you letter from Rebecca Pollack
August, 2009
Dear Michele,
I just finished up the first week of my second session at Tyler School of Art Pre-college Summer Institute! So far it has been an absolutely fabulous experience! Aside from being able to have fun, I've learn countless techniques. I've gotten more out of the courses than I even thought possible and I know the final week will be just as valuable. My first two classes were printmaking (an entirely new experience) and sculpture (a style I've long enjoyed). While I can't say I excelled in printmaking, it was still really awesome. The challenge involved and the uncertainty of one's results made it worthwhile; I would love to continue experimenting in printing! Sculpture was fantastic! We completed two projects: a wire sculpture and a body extension (which means building anything so long as it is something you can wear!). I was pleased with the results of both assignments and loved working with basic elements (wire and cardboard).
Currently I am enrolled in ceramics (also a new experience) and figure drawing. Both have been incredible learning opportunities, especially figure drawing. I've never excelled in drawing people but the course has provided me with numerous techniques to enhance my drawings and make the subjects seem more realistic. Ceramics is also filled with many techniques and being able to throw clay around is a blast!
I've had an incredible time while at Tyler and am forever thankful for the great opportunity you have provided me! Without your support and the support of your foundation I would not have been able to learn so much, let alone attend Tyler's summer classes. Once more, THANK YOU!
Whether i chose to continue my art career or not, what I've learned at Tyler will be with me forever and no matter what, art will certainly remain a hobby and a passion.
Thank You So Much!
Rebecca Pollock
PS. I've attached a few photos of my work and will send more once this session
is complete! Click here to view
Thank
you letter from Cecily Sanders
May 2009
Dear Mrs. Rice,
I would like to thank all the members of Plant a Seed Foundation,
especially Mrs. Michelle Rice and the Cohen Family for giving
my children such a great opportunity in their life. It's been weeks
now since both kids were awarded the scholarship from your organization.
Oh what an impact it made in their life already. My son Matel
is having a blast and I am seeing a change in his behavior.
Also he is interacting well with other kids, not only in his
karate classes but also with his fellow students at school.
He can't stop talking or practicing moves from the classes.
My daughter on the other hand looks forward to Friday so she
can go to dance. This would not be possible if it was not for
your foundation.
You have brought such joy into our lives. It brought me tears when
I saw what joy my children felt when they started the classes.
I could never repay you and your foundation for what you have
done for me. Where I could not give my children that which they
were lacking you have filled that void. If ever given the opportunity
to be blessed, I hope I could give to a child or children what
you have given mine.
Joy, a sense of belonging, not being different, interacting well
with others, not so shy anymore, words can never express the
thanks I have for you and your organization. May God bless
you all, bring prosperity to the foundation and may it be known
throughout the world - it takes only a small seed for a miracle
to happen and your foundation is that miracle.
Your Faithfully,
Cecily Sanders
Aid program helps boy get his kicks
Philadelphia Dalily News 4/03/09
Every day on his way home from school, 7-year-old Mateo Sanders
looked through the window of the Red Tiger Taekwon-Do center
in Northeast Philadelphia, longing to be part of the action inside.
But Mateo's father, Donnel, was laid off in February from the
Frankford-Torresdale Country Club, and martial arts didn't fit
into the family budget.
That began to change the day a friend told Mateo's mother, Cecily
Sanders, 41, a nursing assistant at Frankford Hospital-Bucks
County, about the Yardley-based Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream
Foundation, which helps low-income children and young adults
pay for enriching activities. Read full article here
First
fundraiser was a huge success!
The Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation, a recently launched
charity organization, was established to give financially challenged
children and young adults the opportunity to pursue their passions
through camps and positive learning experiences. Plant a Seed
Foundation recently held its first major fundraiser at the Washington
Crossing Inn in Bucks County, Pa. More than 150 guests joined
the event making the affair a huge success!
Plant A Seed Inspire A Dream Foundation provides money and other
assistance to children from low income households which will
allow them to participate in camps and other programs that hold
great interest for these children and young adults.
Gene and Michele Rice, the founders of this organization, recognized
this need after being involved in the Make A Wish Foundation.
As board members, Gene and Michele often met with children who
were very sick and whose wishes were being granted by this organization,
but realized that many of the healthy siblings in these families
also had unfulfilled dreams. Thus, Plant A Seed Inspire a Dream
was born.
Plant A Seed Foundation’s underlying philosophy is that
by allowing children to pursue their passions, it keeps their
attention focused in positive ways and away from activities that
may not be in their best interest. Children who are involved
in something that excites and enlivens them have far more self
esteem and a more optimistic outlook towards their future.
Requests such as attending a sports camp, an educational or artistic
learning experience or musical instrument lessons are some of
the desired requests that Plant A Seed has received from the
children and their families.
Camp scholarships and educational programs are available to those
individuals who have a passion they’d like to pursue, but lack the necessary
resources. Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 21. Please
contact PASF if you would like to refer a child, submit an application
or make a donation.
The Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation hopes to make a significant
difference in the lives of children by encouraging them to reach
for their dreams through positive learning experiences.
To submit an application for a scholarship or make a donation:
- Submit a letter which includes your financial need, the type of camp
or program you would like to attend, why you want to attend and your
contact information
- Send your letter to Plant A Seed c/o Rice Cohen International 301
Oxford Valley Rd Suite 1506 Yardley, Pa 19067
- Or email your letter to Michele@plantaseedfoundation.org
- Or get an application from our website at www.plantaseedfoundation.org
- Or call 215-860-8403 or fax 215-860-8404
Michael's Camp Story:
Michael really enjoyed
his camp experience at Hofstra. He got involved in daily swimming both
with the Red Cross lessons as well as free swim. He went to Video Game
Development both sessions, and at the end he developed his very own video
game. He also got involved in various outdoor sports throughout his sessions.
He made a few friends and the camp was very well run and super organized.
They offered a great program, and the Director, Julie Duenges, plays a
very big role in seeing that things go off without a hitch. There was never
a time where she wasn't a simple phone call away if needed.
Michael and I both want to thank you and Gene for making this experience
possible. Michael got to have a "real" summer like all the other kids.
It was his first summer in all the years he has been going to school that
he did not have an academic 12 month school year. He got to be part of
the camp scene thanks to the generosity of Plant a Seed, Inspire a Dream.
You certainly inspired a dream In Michael. He now realizes how his regular
school year's terrific progress afforded him the possibility of being able
to attend such a great summer program at Hofstra University.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you for giving Michael this wonderful
experience, and for making the Summer of 2008 an experience he will always
remember!!
Fondly,
Amelia |
