Bethany Lippe - Director of e-Education and Community Involvement

by Bethany Lippe

While most people have jobs they enjoy, few are lucky enough to have a job that rewards them with rich experiences. As the director of e-Education I am afforded the ability to see how my work in
e-Education development positively impacts the training that Heartspring staff members receive, and how that is directly reflected in their interactions with the children at Heartspring. I experienced similar rewards in knowing that each conference I organized had an impact on children outside of Heartspring whose teachers and therapists attended the sessions. But it was not until Camp SSTAR where I served as an integral part of the camp counseling team that I had the opportunity to have direct interaction with the children and observed their progress through camp and the services that they receive through the Heartspring CARE Program. Each year as the campers return, I am amazed at how much they have changed and grown.

Since I began my career at Heartspring three years ago, I have attended various special events only as a participant. This year I transitioned into the position of planning special events as director of e-Education and community involvement. I did not come into this position until mid-way through the planning of third annual Autism CARE Walk, and it was interesting to see an event from this new perspective. Much like Camp SSTAR, I am now given the opportunity to really connect with our events and the people that they support. By being involved in the CARE Walk, I saw firsthand the impact that each dollar raised makes in the lives of children with autism and their families. Without the tireless support of families and donors, these children would be missing vital tools that they need to overcome the challenges presented by autism spectrum disorders.

I am greatly looking forward to putting all of my energy and resources into PedalFest and Lights on the Lake. These events give much needed financial assistance to the children who receive therapies through Heartspring Pediatric Services. Many children require multiple services, including speech, occupational and physical therapies, audiology and/or psychology services. When coupled with medical bills and other needed assistance, these costs can become overwhelming. It is through the generosity of donors and these special events that parents can afford to come to Heartspring, enabling their children to make such remarkable gains. Seeing a child walk for the first time makes every parent proud, but there is much to be said about a child who learns to walk at the age of five after receiving months or years of physical therapy made possible through the kindness of others.

I am excited to be a part of these events and to have the privilege to get to know the children and their families who so greatly benefit from them. I have always had passion for the work that I do, but in planning special events and being surrounded by these amazing children, I am given a renewed sense of meaning in all that I do at Heartspring. I hope that you will join me in making a difference in the lives of these very special children.