Wyatt, Nate, and I had a meeting this weekend about how we'll be changing the site in addition to the next steps in making this WiiSeniors thing work. We've possibly got another Wii donation so we'll be evaluating the facilities that might benefit most from it. If you know of one in the Chittenden County, Vermont area, please email me. You can find my email in the contact area of the website.
I'm just now getting back to the point where I can use my computer again since a hard drive crash. Things are going well and Green Mountain Nursing home couldn't be happier with the Wii. I just got an email from their activities director telling me about how the 5 year old great grandson of Elsie (one of the first to learn) came and played with her. They love it!
My brother Nate is working with a friend on turning this into a real charity. In the meantime, I'm thinking of good ways to start fundraising. It doesn't take much money to move this project forward, so it shouldn't be that difficult. I'll be back to update the site soon with any progress!
I wanted to put this up before I went to bed. The news clip is courtesy of NECN (New England Cable News). They did a few nice interviews (I think they got my bad side). We had a great time over there today...I'm sure there will be more to talk about tomorrow! -Ethan
video courtesy NECN
I've been so busy with talking to people about the donation and putting together materials for those that might be interested in helping that I wasn't able to post the pictures like I had hoped yesterday. Here are a few great pictures and even a video (below) of yesterday's events:
The rest of the photos will be on the photo page hopefully by tomorrow. But if you missed it, here's the Burlington Free Press article on what we're doing here! http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070515/NEWS02/705150309/1007
I got a call today from Cindy at the Green Mountain Nursing Home (around 11:00 AM today) saying the news crews wanted to be there at 1:00 PM to see this all happening. Not being able to pass that up, I dropped my prior engagement and headed over. NECN was there with their crew of two out of Boston to see what we're doing. So, check out WPTZ (Channel 5) tonight to see Alice, Elsie, and I on the news! Then, tell all your friends about what we're doing, and call your local TV stations and newspapers to get them to talk about it.
One thing that the reporters from NECN did that I hadn't done yet was ask the residents what they thought of the Wii. I know they seemed like they were having fun, but nobody thought to get their opinions. I was pretty psyched that they both were smiling and laughing about how much fun it was, and how they both needed to practice. You might see it on the news tonight, but when asked "Which one of you is better?" Elsie made it very clear that "neither of us are that hot"/ As I left, Elsie made it clear that I would have to come back every morning to re-train her on the Wii because she wouldn't remember any of it. I have no problem being a personal trainer.
I want to thank everyone that's been involved so far getting this thing going. Nate, Wyatt, Sean, Jess...volunteering your time is huge!
For more information on what the WBM Foundation is, download this - Info Sheet (PDF)
Ethan
The Green Mountain Nursing Home donation is today (in about an hour). I'll be back with updates and pictures.
Just so I don't confuse anyone with my sometimes lax writing style here on WiiSeniors.org, this is my blog about everything that happens with the program. We're very serious about making this program successful. To find out more of what we're trying to do without my commentary, visit www.wbmfoundation.org.
Ethan
This is the first of what I hope to be many donations through WiiSeniors. WiiSeniors is a charity that I dreamt up after reading a few articles about nursing homes and retirement communities across the country buying Wiis. When you see a quote from an elderly woman about how playing Wii Tennis reminds her of when she was young, you start to realize the impact that something so simple can have on people. The funny thing about this is that the Wii is something that I do simply for kicks, and it's now being applied in a way that it is helping people. Crazy thought though right? I never thought that people's grandparents would ever in a million years be playing video games...cribbage? Yes. Video games? No. I guess you have to see it in action to really understand the impact it has on people that haven't been really active in years. I still have yet to present the first Wii to a nursing home.
The company I work for (also the family company), MBA Resources is making the first Wii donation to Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester, Vermont (Thanks Mom). We have a special connection with them and have spent countless hours there. Pictures will be posted as soon as I have them.
More to come!
