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A Message From Matthew Szafranski

We are SO excited for Matthew’s first year at The Little Light House! Matthew’s future is so bright, and we can’t wait to see how much he blossoms during his years at The Little Light House. He is so lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love and support him! We put Matthew on the waiting list at The Little Light House when I was just over 20 weeks pregnant. We didn't even have a name for him yet! I can't even count the number of people, who upon hearing about Matthew's Down syndrome diagnosis emailed me or pulled me aside to make sure we knew about The Little Light House. While we knew of The Little Light House, we didn’t know much about it. After taking a tour, we realized how lucky we are to have such an amazing school for Matthew just down the street. Last Fall, Matthew was chosen to be a part of their new pilot program for the Early Intervention class. Everything we have learned, and all the people we have met, in that program have only made us more hopeful about Matthew’s future and all the amazing ways The Little Light House will help Matthew grow. On Matthew’s second birthday we got the call that Matthew had been accepted into The Little Light House Developmental Center! It was the best birthday present we could have ever asked for! Matthew will attend school from 8:30-1:15 Monday-Thursday, and he will be in the Jade class. The mission of The Little Light House is to glorify God by improving the quality of life for children with special needs, their families and their communities. They provide tuition-free educational and therapeutic services to children with special needs, ages birth through six. They opened their brand new facility a couple years ago, which is state of the art. Last year, they re-opened their old building, which underwent a complete renovation. Matthew’s new classroom will be in this building. They accommodate all children and work with them to make it a fun, educational environment. If we were to pay for Matthew’s education at The Little Light House, it would cost us around $32,000 per year! Because they provide tuition-free education, they rely on donors who believe in their cause. That’s where you come in! Mini-Laps is their biggest fundraiser, and we are so excited to be a part of it this year. The Little Light House has run solely on corporate and private donations since they opened their doors in 1972. They do not receive any United Way or other government funding. We need your help supporting this amazing school that has been serving Tulsa for 47 years! We are so excited for Matthew to participate in Mini-Laps this year. It is a fundraising event led by all the parents of students at The Little Light House. Matthew, along with all the other students at The Little Light House, will dress up and take a lap around the track to celebrate the milestones that they have met at school. We would love for all of his friends and family to be there to cheer him on! We would love for you to show your support for Matthew and The Little Light House by donating to his Mini-Laps campaign. Any amount is appreciated! We are so thankful for all of the love and support for Matthew and our entire family. We can’t wait to share his amazing school with all of you! The Little Light House is a 501-C3 and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Checks can be mailed to: The Little Light House Mini-Laps Attn: Development Office 5120 E. 36th Street Tulsa, OK 74135-5228 (Please include Matthew’s name as the memo)

$15,826

raised of $15,000 goal
THANK YOU! WE DID IT!

107

supporters
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Location / Venue

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In Support of Little Light House

Little Light House is a Christian Developmental Center for Children with Special Needs from birth to 6 years old. Tulsa’s Little Light House is internationally recognized as providing some of the most individualized special education and therapeutic early intervention services in the world. A trans-disciplinary team approach maximizes a comprehensive knowledge from professionals who work collaboratively to design prescriptive programs for each child and assist every child in reaching their maximum potential. Through a variety of programs and schedules, these services are carried out by highly credentialed teachers, therapists, and specialists who represent decades of pediatric experience. Early Intervention classes are provided as a part-time program where caregivers attend and learn along with their child for two-hour classes once a week. 

Little Light House is tuition-free for families and does not receive government or United Way funding. Support comes from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. In addition, LLH hosts four annual fundraisers each year bringing in about 40% of the $4.2 million dollar operating cost that allows our staff of over 90 members to provide services to over 300 children and families, support nearly a thousand volunteers, and train over 1,000 college and career students each year.

Little Light House believes that all children are a gift from God with the potential to achieve specific milestones to advance their quality of life. We strive for excellence by utilizing a Bible-based curriculum in a fun and loving atmosphere. We believe in an individualized, trans-disciplinary and God-centered approach to education-an approach that joins parents, professionals, and the Holy Spirit as partners in order to nurture the spirit, mind, and body of the children and their families. Our commitment incorporates being called to work/volunteer with children with special needs. Little Light House encourages a positive outlook on the future, based on trust in a loving heavenly Father.

YOUR GIFT MATTERS