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CLOSE TO MY HEART - I have held the job of waitress at several restaurants, ride attendant at Darien Lake and babysitter for many families - all side jobs that got me through college. But there was one job that actually changed my life. The summer before my junior year I was hired as a classroom aide at Aspire's Center for Learning on Union Road in Cheektowaga. I will admit those first few days were hard. The students deal with severe mental and physical disabilities and need a lot of care. It was an adjustment to learn about feeding tubes, equipment and the students' forms of communication. Luckily my mother also worked there and encouraged me to stick it out. Had I left I would have missed out on getting to know those children, many of whom I still stop by to visit.
Many people would say to me, "I could never do that job." It does take patience. I give so much credit to all the staff at Aspire for their dedication and strength. From nurses to therapists, teachers to administrators, the organization is an asset to many Western New York families.
To support programming at the facilities, the annual Aspiring Artists event has been planned from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 at 2365 N. Forest Road, near Millersport Highway. Paintings by Aspire residents and students will be auctioned. Wine and food will be included. The band, iXpress, featured recently in The Amherst Bee, will also be performing.
For tickets and information, visit www. aspirewny. org.
NOT JUST A FACELESS PERSON - I attended a wedding this past weekend, and five days before his wedding the groom was hit by a car - so much for good luck. I write about it so casually because by some miracle he is OK - no broken bones. This is the same couple I wrote about last week, asking for some wishes of luck for a sunny day.
Working construction in Binghamton, Joe was hit by the mirror of a vehicle as it zoomed by. The person driving didn't stop. The force spun Joe around, leaving him dazed as to what had happened. According to those on-site, he asked what happened, and when they told him a car just hit him, his response was - "Sara (the bride) is going to kill me". Lucky for them, he was able to stand up this past Saturday and marry the love of his life.
But, please, let this be a reminder that construction sites are not just trucks and cones; there are workers there, too. And those people are each very special to someone who is waiting for them to come home. Construction season has a few more months left, so slow down and use extreme caution.
FREE WEEK AT YMCA - YMCA Buffalo Niagara will hold its annual fall membership campaign from
Sept. 9-16. During this free weeklong trial, guests can take advantage of
full-privilege YMCA member benefits. Visitors can tour the facility, sample
fitness programs (where space allows), try the Wellness Center and participate
in open swim and recreational gym times. The YMCA offers a variety of programs
for all ages. Half of the fee to join will be waived for those who become
members during the campaign, up to a $50 savings. Northeast Family Branch, is
located at 4433 Main St., near Harlem Road. For information, call 839-2543 or
visit the Web site www. ymcabuffaloniagara. com. 
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