It is with a heavy heart that we announce, in light of recent developments regarding COVID-19, we feel it is in the best interest of our campers and staff to cancel Camp SMILE for the 2020 summer session. While tough, we are thankful to have many wonderful camp memories and friendships to fall back on. 

We are hearbroken, but determined to keep everyone in the Camp SMILE family safe and healthy. We know everyone who planned on being a part of Summer 2020 is incredibly disappointed, and sad, to have a summer go by without Camp SMILE. As we move forward in these uncertain times, we will be doing everything we can to keep the Camp SMILE Spirit alive and well. We have already shared some #CampSMILEatHome activities, and will continue to do so, bringing even more excitement into your homes.

Camp SMILE has always been more than a place. We know this is not ideal, but we also know that we’ve always marched to the beat of our own drum, and if anyone can make the best of adapting to tough surroundings, it’s our campers and volunteers. 

For more information on how this cancellation will effect you and your family, please click the following link:

Camp SMILE’s Covid-19 Response

 

New information has become available via Social Security Administration Commissioner Andrew Saul concerning the effect of Economic Impact Payments to SSI Recipients in a blog post. Below is a list of announcements he made concerning the matter.

• People who receive Social Security, retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. This will ensure they will receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment.
• The same guidance applies to SSI recipients, especially those who have qualifying children under the age of 17. To receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for, go to the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children.
• Any new beneficiaries since January 1, 2020, of either Social Security or SSI benefits, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, will also need to go to the IRS’s Non-Filers website to enter their information.
• Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries who do not have qualifying children under age 17, you do not need to take any action with the IRS.  You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.
• Please note Economic Impact Payments will not be considered as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
• Eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found at the IRS’s Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments page.

If you need assistance or have any questions about our programs during our office closure, please email Todd Perkins at tperkins@ucpmobile.org. The office will be opening again on June 8th and following the lead of the Governor and ADPH regarding any extension in our closure. We appreciate your patience during this time.

UCP of Mobile wants everyone to be safe during these uncertain times. If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the Alabama Department of Public Health and the CDC websites, or take a look at this informative presentation for further information. For details on testing sites and hours of operation, contact the Alabama COVID-19 24/7 hotline which is available at 1-888-264-2256.

Please take all necessary precautions and stay safe. We will continue to update this page with further news in regards to the closures and our office opening back up.

Here at United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, we are taking COVID-19 very seriously. Below we have listed the steps we plan to take to combat this outbreak:

1. As of the close of business on Tuesday, March 17th, UCP Preschool and the Adult Day Program will be closed.
2.  Effective Friday, March 20th, UCP of Mobile’s offices will be closed until June 8th and following the lead of the Governor and ADPH regarding any extension in our closure.
3. The 2nd Annual Mobtown Mac ‘n Cheese Fest is postponed for a later date. Please stay tuned for updates on the new date. All previous ticket sales will be honored at this time.
4. The Camp SMILE Respite Weekend scheduled for March 20 – 22 will be cancelled. 

While we understand that this is all an inconvenience for many, our main concern is the health of those we serve and our staff. We would like to thank you for your continued support in furthering UCP’s mission to promote the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

May 13-15, 2020

UCP is pleased to announce the return of the Mobtown Mac ‘n Cheese Fest. For more information on 2020’s event, please visit the Mac ‘n Cheese Fest web page.

Saturday, March 21st, 2020

Cathedral Square | Downtown Mobile | 12 pm – 3 pm

Buy Your Flag Here!

United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile is introducing a new Mobile Mardi Gras Flag. Supplement your Mardi Gras collection with this flag featuring Mobile Mardi Gras icons.

The flag, in Mobile’s traditional purple and gold, features at its center a large cowbell emblazoned with the head of a cow and a rake, emblematic of the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, America’s first mystic society. A Folly figure strikes a carefree pose leaning on the bell, while Slacabamarinico mirrors Folly’s pose on the other side of the bell.

High in the upper corner is a modified version of the UCP logo, specially made to represent Mardi Gras in Mobile, AL.

This flag is lightweight, so it will fly in even the slightest January or February breeze.

Available Flag Options:

1. Garden Flag (12.5in. x 18in.) – $15
2. Standard Flag with Grommets (3ft. x 5ft.) – $35
3. Standard Flag with Sleeve (3ft. x 5ft.) – $35
4. Bunting (6ft. x 9ft.) – $50

Please contact UCP Mobile at (251) 479-4900 for more information on shipping options.

Miles for SMILEs 2018

In 2016, we came up with an idea to raise money to send kids to Camp SMILE who are in need of financial assistance. We called it “Miles for Smiles.” Lilia Melikechi and Jake Alvarez walked 137 miles from Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana in only 5 days. We set a goal of $1,500, or enough to donate 5 camperships to deserving families. The response was incredible. In just over 3 weeks, we raised almost $10,000! The outpouring of support was so amazing that we promised to do it again.

Last year, we walked back from New Orleans to Mobile. It was our first time asking for teams of volunteers to walk with us and the reply was great! We set a new record of almost $15,000 raised. This year we are walking back to new orleans and we’re asking for more people that are willing to get out there and help us make a difference one mile at a time!

The dates for this year’s event are Saturday, April 28th through Wednesday, May 2nd. We will be making 10, two-person teams to walk 13.7 mile stretches.

Show your support by sponsoring the team per mile, or by making a one-time donation. Donate online today at https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/miles-for-smiles-2018/unitedcerebralpalsyofmobile or send checks to UCP’s Camp SMILE: 3058 Dauphin Square Connector, Mobile, AL 36607

Please help us make this year just as special so that we can give kids the experience of a lifetime! To learn more about camp, visit www.campsmilemobile.org