News Release

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Your Help Is Needed-

As Lice Solutions Looks toward a Successful Fundraising Drive

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Lice Solutions Resource Network, Inc.

April 17, 2003

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since we first set out to fulfill our dream of starting a non-profit head lice awareness and control center. To say it has been a challenging year would be putting it mildly. From the onset we incorporated some very aggressive goals. The fact that head lice is a subject most people would choose to ignore has only complicated our efforts.

We have, however, succeeded in many ways. By April we saw the opening of our first treatment facility in West Palm Beach, Fl. We were fortunate to find a great location on Military Trail, a main roadway in Palm Beach County, and conveniently located between two exits, just off the Interstate. Not surprisingly, our first treatments occurred as a result of that location.

Schools, daycares, Pharmacies and Pediatricians in a three county area were notified. Our web site, while still in the making, was started. We invite you to visit us at www.licesolutions.org. This wouldn't have been possible with out the help of our dedicated web master and for that we are very thankful. He learned first hand how frustrating lice could be when no help was available. As a result of his family's misfortune, he has volunteered his time in an effort to help us make a difference. Something good really can come out of a bad situation! Construction quickly began at the center as we set out to make our facility one that parents could feel comfortable visiting. Our landlord was very helpful moving walls, lights and outlets in an attempt to make the most of the 1500 sq feet available. In doing so we have the necessary space to treat seven individuals, at a single time, in our ongoing effort to serve more families. Since many families come with multiple members, this added space will be a real blessing. We have strived to project a professional image, while still maintaining a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Each station is equipped with a TV/VCR for the child's enjoyment as well as salon chairs for the technician's ease and comfort.

In June we celebrated our first active fundraiser with the kickoff of "Kid's Party Sampler". We were extremely pleased with the response we received, especially in light of the unusually rainy weather we saw in the days leading up to the event. Thankfully, the sun was on our side that morning and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. We were fortunate to have the help of some great sponsors including Home Depot, FPL, and The Buzz Radio. Top that with a nice variety of carnival games as well as Tippy the Clown, Amazing Miss Debbie, Jump USA and more. It's no wonder that many of the families stayed till well into the clean up. We look forward to our next "Kid's Party Sampler" to be held once again in the Abacoas this coming June. We hope to see each of you there.

With August came the return of school as well as "Head Check Awareness Week". We were excited to offer free head checks the entire week in preparation for the start of school. Hopefully as we repeat this function each year more parents will realize the importance of returning their children to school lice free. It's further anticipated that more schools will push this as a necessary requirement, much like school physicals or required school supplies. For with this simple precaution we can help minimize the number of cases seen in our schools each year.

The year has come to an end, however our needs and goals have not. Our beginning would not have been possible had it not been for a local law firm that desired to build community ties- by being the name behind a nonprofit. For us it meant an answer to prayers, for them the good guy image. We were able to secure the facility and begin the long process of building our organization. Sadly, almost as quickly as the offer came it was soon after pulled. The law firm, while admitting they saw a real need for our service, decided it wasn't heart wrenching enough to gain the creditability they hoped to achieve. While we are thankful for the initial donation that allowed us to proceed, it also created additional problems. As a result of their generous offer we committed ourselves to a three-year lease. The law firm had pledged to donate quarterly payments over a two-year period, equal to our initial monthly payout. Since most grant applications require a two-year track record, prior to consideration, the law firm's pledge meant security for us, while we worked towards that level. With their rescinding the offer it meant scrambling each month just to cover overhead. We have yet to generate enough income in a single month to make rent, much less all the other expenses that comes with running any office. Since expenses don't disappear it meant that those within the organization have had to step up to bat each month just to help keep the doors open. We have been operating solely on a volunteer basis, which required some individuals to put in as many as 40 to 50 hours a week with no compensation. Worse yet, it's some of those same individuals that have helped pay the overhead each month, as the burden of building the facility has fallen directly on the shoulders of those individuals looking to make a difference.

We are extremely blessed to have some dedicated volunteers. Individuals who truly believe in the need for this organization and have committed to do whatever it takes to make help available. The families that have benefited would surely agree. Yet the real reward comes when a young child looks up at you and proudly announces they don't itch any more or states that now their friends can play with them again. For it's the children that suffer most, as they not only endure the agony of having head lice but also the shame that comes with it; as they are quite often excluded from activities by friends and classmates.

We are thankful for having made it through our first year and we're looking forward to an even better second. We have gladly served many organizations including Department of Children and Families and Home Safe For Children. With over 70% of our clients qualifying for free or reduced treatments, compounded by the fact that product cost alone runs $2.100 a quarter, it's easy to see that your help is genuinely needed. However if help weren't available for all children, there would be no hope of ever putting a dent in the head lice population.

We have many more exciting events coming up. We are currently starting our "Lice Patrol" campaign. As patrols across the US ready themselves for their trip to DC- we are reminding parents to send them lice free. Hopefully no child will return from DC with unwanted souvenirs! Locally we are providing Free Head Checks for any patrol that comes to the facility from 1/6/03 thru 2/6/03. Their only requirement is that they wear their belt or badge. On February 2, we will be participating in Kaleidoscope, a major event produced by the City of WPB in conjunction with the Palm Beach County School District. This too was made possible as a result of a parent's "Been There- Done That!!" As we continue to grow we look forward to more such parents, companies and schools getting actively involved in our campaign. Hopefully by working together- we can work towards a Lice Free America!

Head lice won't take a back seat just because the economy is down. They don't care that you're too busy or too broke to deal with them! Like it or not head lice are alive and well in your child's school. Now, just imagine that every parent of a school age child donated just one dollar to help further this cause. Expense would no longer be an issue and help could readily be available. While we are excited to have this facility up and running in WPB, it's not enough. Help needs to be available regardless of where the child lives. Hopefully someday that too will become a reality and parents will no longer need to travel across the county just to receive help that should be available in their own area. We ask that you help make this possible and join us by making your kind donation. In doing so you're enabling us to continue to help families as they take on the fight against head lice. Keep in mind the next -Head- lice visit could be your own!

While we hope you never need our services- we're glad we are here for you- if you do!

Sincerely,

Katie Shepherd
Executive Director