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Monday, January 18, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Benchmark Cares: Achievement Center of Texas
CORPORATE CHAMPIONS WHO CARE AWARD
The 2009 Corporate recipient of this prestigious award( is Benchmark Mortgage and their co-founders Bryan Harlan and Stewart Hunter. Two years ago, they created what is known as the Benchmark Loving Cup Fund which assists families and their special needs individuals to remain at the Achievement Center during hard economic times. This fund is based on one dollar contributed for every successful Benchmark transaction nationwide. Former Dallas Cowboy great, and FOX sports announcer, Daryl Johnston presented the award. Johnston received the first individual Champions Who Care Award in 2007 and is a true supporter of the Achievement Center of Texas.
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While we do a lot of work to support our nation’s veterans, we also give to other philanthropic causes.
We have a fund called the “Benchmark Loving Cup Fund” for the Achievement Center of Texas. Marilynne Serie, Executive Director of the Achievement Center of Texas, recently gave us an idea of the reach of our fund in a letter thanking Benchmark for our support. Below is a sampling of the letter to show what it is that the Achievement Center of Texas does, and how the Benchmark Loving Cup Fund helps to support their cause.
“We served 6 students with funds from the Loving Cup which greatly helped them to afford the services here at the Achievement Center. Among the programs that we offered are functional living skills, personal health and hygiene, gardening, sensory motor training, arts exploration (both visual and performing arts), robotics (utilizing our newly acquired robot “Milo” who teaches children with autism). Researchers have found children with autism relate better to the robot than to a human. Our community inclusion program is designed to get students out into their community to experience a world of adventure. As part of this program, students participated recently in World Habitat Day where hey planted seeds, played challenging games, and had lunch with the people of Habitat for Humanity. This year they will visit the Heard museum to see the animals, they will visit a ranch, visit Springcreek Forest Preserve, and will see many new things that they never dreamed of seeing or experiencing…
..
..While we cannot give the names of the students due to strict confidentiality regulation, I am pleased to tell you that you have ben a godsend to these families. It is heart wrenching to tell a parent that we can’t take their child when they depend on us so heavily for our services which allows them to work to provide the high cost of care for their disabled family member. We hope that Benchmark will continue to help our families each year. It is a wonderful thing that you do.”
Marilynne Serie
Executive Director
To learn more about the Achievement Center of Texas, we have included a few snippets from their website, or you can visit their website by clicking the Achievement Center of Texas logo, or by clicking the URL below.
The Achievement Center of Texas is a licensed non-profit day care and day habilitation center for children and adults with special needs. Every effort is made to offer families their choices in services and to support those choices wherever possible. In providing a wide range of services in the least restrictive environment, students at the Achievement Center can grow and develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially working toward greater independence and more satisfying way of life.
Our goal is to teach individuals the skills they need to be able to participate in the life of the community and to enjoy the same opportunities available to their non-disabled peers and family members.
Q. Are scholarships available to low income families who do not have HCS or other agency support?
A. Yes. We have the Garland Community Development Block Grant Funds and Benchmark Loving Cup Fund. Each one has special restrictions and these funds are allocated quickly.
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Monday, January 4, 2016
15 New Years Resolutions And the Secret to Keeping Them
Happy New Year!
The fresh start of a new year is always nice. The ups and downs of 2015 are left behind, and a bright new canvas lies ahead.
What are your hopes and dreams for this New Year? Maybe amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you haven’t had a chance to make your resolutions. If that sounds familiar, here are a few ideas for inspiration.
15 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Procrastinators
- Of course, the most popular one of all…get in shape!
- Read more.
- Spend more time with your loved ones.
- Get a promotion.
- Save money.
- Take a class in something that interests you.
- Volunteer.
- Start a new hobby.
- Mend a relationship.
- Travel.
- Make new friends.
- Start a journal.
- Learn a new language.
- Get more sleep.
- Be more thankful.
Making Them Stick
Even more important than making your resolution, is to have an actionable plan to be successful in reaching your goals.
- It is also important that you set a realistic goal.
- Keep yourself accountable.
- Automate when possible.
- Eliminate temptation.
- Most importantly, be motivated. Without motivation, it will be next to impossible to change your habits. This is also why it is so important that your goal be realistic. Success boosts your confidence to keep going.
Example: If you are want to get in shape, find a work out partner. You are much more likely to get out of bed and get to the gym at 5:30 am (or whatever time you schedule.. which is important.. schedule it!) if you have someone relying on you to be there for them.
Example: If you want to save money, open a savings account, write out a budget plan, and set up an automatic transfer with your bank. If the money isn’t in your spending account, you won’t be tempted to spend it.
A tip to keep yourself accountable without a partner: Post your resolutions in a place it will catch your attention often, and share them with your family and friends who can help you achieve your goals.
A Resolution for Everyone
Last but not least, let’s all make more mistakes this year. You will absolutely love this quote from Neil Gaiman:
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
So Here’s to 2016!
Let’s make it a great one full of fun, happiness, and love!
C. Gomez
C. Gomez works at our corporate office as an administrative assistant. She recently welcomed a new addition into her family as she became a new mom! She contributed the foundation for this article. Thank you!
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The post 15 New Years Resolutions And the Secret to Keeping Them appeared first on Michael Blanchard | Essex Junction Mortgage Consultant | Benchmark Mortgage.
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