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FANS 4 HELP
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Dear Helpers,

9/30/2021

1 Comment

 
FANS 4 HELP, a new 2020 non-profit, has designed an innovative "fun"draising" and/or
​"do"nation" opportunity that really helps to create better Health, Environment, Learning, Play and Safety.  So, here we go!
With our partner, Tot Talk - tottalk.com/ - we can supply placemats that really matter for good clean fun and learning every day. These colorful, durable, double-sided, and anti-bacterial laminated placemats have easy to sanitize surfaces with fun and educational purposes.   This is guaranteed to succeed by helping everyone with what we need.
Some examples of help are:
The Tot Talk Police placemat can help learning about the important police work and services.​

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A Tot Talk Fire Station placemat can help learning about the important fire safety work and services.
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A Tot Talk Food and Vitamins placemat can help learning about healthy food. 
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A Tot Talk Dogs placemat can help learning about dogs and the need for the Humane Society and ASPCA services.
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The help that we can do is limited only by our imagination. Thank you for your help and  consideration.
Dennis Smiddle - Founder and Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP - www.fansofplay.com - (724) 825-5121 and dennissmiddle@msn.com
Stay Safe and Stay FANS 4 HELP 
1 Comment

FANS 4 HELP "Do-Nation" can help close the Education Gap, where we live, work, eat and even nap.

9/28/2021

0 Comments

 
FANS 4 HELP, a new 2020 nonprofit, can help individuals, businesses and organizations make tax-deductible donations for more beneficial learning every day and for more fundraising ways.
We are what we do and with our partners too, we can help empower anyone to create a long-lasting library of learning with our Tot Talk placemats-tottalk.com/ 
- that really matter with easy to sanitize surfaces and more fun with educational purposes.  We can help you close the educational gap, where you live, learn, work, eat, and even nap.  This is not a business plan, it is a health and safety plan that we really need and is guaranteed to succeed.
For example, anyone can purchase our laminated learning  placemats (25% off the online price) and donate them to your local library, child care or school for a long-lasting library of learning.  Also, FANS 4 HELP will offer free shipping to you or your designated "do-nation."  In fact, a new IRS tax law allows donations (up to $300) to be tax deductible even for non-itemized returns.
Other examples are, many of our placemats can be used to help other nonprofits or organizations with learning and fundraising opportunities. Our Food and Vitamins placemat -tottalk.com/food-groups-vitamins-placemat/ can be purchased and donated to local food banks for a complimentary give-away or a reselling fundraiser.  A reselling opportunity of 50 placemats, could help a food bank raise $350 at the recommended online price, plus helping everyone to learn more about healthy foods. 
A purchase of (50) Tot Talk placemats on Dogs - tottalk.com/dogs-placemat/ - can be donated to a local Humane Society or the ASPCA for a learning give-away or fundraiser of $350 or more.  The Tot Talk Dog placemat includes learning on 30 breeds of dogs, including the Recue Dog. 
A purchase of a Tot Talk sports placemats can be "do-nated to a sports organization, our Ballet placemat can be "do-nated to a dance school, or our music placemats can be "do-nated" to a child care, school or music organization.  The early learning help and/or help for all ages and stages is only limited by our imaginations and by our organization with FANS 4 HELP.
Any monetary donations made directly to FANS 4 HELP, will receive our Certificate of Appreciation and our approved nonprofit tax information.
Thank you for all you "do"!
Dennis Smiddle - Founder and Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP - www.fansofplay.com and feel free to contact me anytime for free estimates and consultations on any "do-nations."
0 Comments

Safety Paramount During Pandemic.

9/9/2021

0 Comments

 
The following is a Letter to the Editor of the Observer-Reporter written by Dennis Smiddle, a retired Health and Safety inspector of 20 + years for PA Licensed Child Care and Assisted Living facilities, in addition to being a PA School Safety Assessor and an Expert Witness for Playground Safety with the Expert Institute.  Thank you for reading, stay safe and stay FANS 4 HELP ( Health + Environment + Learning + Play). 

LETTER: Safety paramount during pandemic
I know everyone cares about doing the right thing for our children and schools, but unfortunately the right health and safety practices are being negatively influenced by people's need and secondary gain to show they care about other important freedoms and rights. I understand these are difficult issues to dissect and separate, but I urge you to stay true to the PA School Health and Safety Plan requirements such as implementing prevention and mitigation policies in line with the most up-to-date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and maintaining the health and safety of all students, educators, and staff. Let the people know that you care about all issues and that the health and safety of everyone is paramount during a pandemic.
As Theodore Roosevelt said, "Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care." Therefore, since caring for our children is of paramount importance for everyone, it is important that everyone knows the differences between a guideline, a mandate and a law.
Guidelines are only voluntary recommendations that are developed from health and safety studies. There is little oversight or necessary health and safety protections with guidelines during a pandemic.
Mandates are quickly implemented to deal with emergency situations, like a pandemic, and mandates are in effect for a limited time. If a mandate is not successful, a law may be passed.
Laws are long-term rules, voted on by elected representatives, taking more time to create, and not timely enough in dealing with rapidly changing situations like a pandemic. Both mandates and laws are enforceable by the police and this can be done through a fine, jail or prison time.
Also, the health department can issue a mandate to deal with a pandemic and only a legislature passing a law or a lawyer arguing the mandate before a court of law can overturn the mandate, more time and more money.
Therefore, isn't caring for our children with the most caution and precautions more important than a lawyer wasting precious time and money arguing and placing the schools, police, essential workers and everyone's collective health and safety at risk, especially when a long-term law may very well end up taking the place of the mandate anyway? Because, if the pandemic prevails without a mandate, then a mandate or a law will be passed. If the pandemic prevails with a mandate in place, a law will be passed.
Finally, as an expert witness with a good grasp of knowledge on health and safety guidelines, regulations, accreditation, standards and practices, everyone should be aware that there is an "expected standard of care" for health and safety, especially when children are involved during emergency situations, like a pandemic.
So please, we know how much you care, now show how much you know and provide the expected standard of care for all of us and especially for our children's future.
Dennis Smiddle - Former Health and Safety Licensing Representative for PA Child Care and Assisted Living facilities.  In addition to being a PA School Safety Assessor and Expert Witness withe the Expert Institute.


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0 Comments

FANS 4 HELP make safer places and spaces where you live, work, eat, learn and play every day.

8/23/2021

5 Comments

 
Doctors say schools should adjust cafeteria eating to protect kids from COVID-19 and
if you can, eat outdoors.
As a retired PA Health and Safety Inspector of over 2,500 Child Care facilities and Personal Care Homes, plus over 3,000 outdoor play, learning and recreational spaces, I am glad that some doctors are agreeing with FANS 4 HELP by recommending "that in any area around the country where you can eat lunch outdoors, to eat lunch outdoors because that is safer."
As a matter of fact, FANS 4 HELP can empower everyone to create safer and more sanitized places and spaces where you live, work, eat, learn and play with learning posters and placemats that really matter.  As an approved PA School Safety Assessor and an Expert Witness for playground safety, and the Director of FANS 4 HELP (a new 2020 nonprofit), I can provide free consultation for safer and more evidenced-based protection for education and congregation.
Please see some of our placemats that really matter with our fan Tot Talk
-  tottalk.com/
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We are what we do and we are saying, We Are FANS 4 HELP making safer and more beneficial places and spaces where you may be living, working, eating, learning and playing. Our laminated posters and placemats are easily sanitized, so safer socializing and learning can be easily realized and guaranteed to succeed, plus 25% off for FANS 4 HELP Today and Everyday. - www.fansofplay.com/fans-today
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5 Comments

Posters and Placemats Matter & As a Matter of Fact, HELP Our Police & Fire Departments.

8/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Fortunately, science, medicine, and businesses are constantly finding solutions to our many problems and viral pandemics.  However, a big problem is how to spread this important information and solutions to the public in the most effective and efficient manner. Also, our police and fire departments matter even more for our crisis preventions and protections during these very difficult times.
Of course, in our digital and social media world there are many ways for communications to "go viral" via the internet, but unfortunately, there are not as many ways to validate this information, invalidate the disinformation and make it more assessible and meaningful for everyone, especially the children. 
However, there is a scientifically proven and commonly used format to effectively disseminate information in the academic and public health fields. In fact, this format is now being used to share impressive "Slam Dunks" in the world of basketball.  It is called "posterizing." Yes, a study published in the, Health Information and Libraries Journal found that posters are tools that have the ability to increase knowledge, change attitudes and alter behaviors. 

The effectiveness of poster presentations is particularly present in the medical community, as they prove to be valuable in waiting rooms. In fact, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recommends the use of posters to educate the public on important health issues. 
This (JCAHO) standard for poster education has been in effect well before this current COVID-19 pandemic and the viral variants.  Therefore, the use of educational posters in hospital waiting rooms, schools, child cares and concerned businesses should be a "Slam Dunk" for helping to slow and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and it's variants. The reasons are simple, posters have been around in every industry for a long time because they work.
Now, another way to help spread information and education is with the use of placemats.  Not only can this help children, families and schools, it can help provide the much needed support for our essential workers and first-responders, such as our police and fire departments.
Placemats can help everyone learn about and support our first-responders, by illustrating with activities, some of the many services that they provide as public services, and especially during these very difficult times.

Please take a look at these educational placemats and learn how you can help support some of our most essential services and workers with the extreme urgency of, now.
Thank you,
Dennis Smiddle - Founder and Director of FANS 4 HELP and FANS of Play - www.fansofplay.com 
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Dear America, Let's "Posterize" the Pandemic.  This is a "Slam Dunk."

7/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Dear America, Let's "Posterize" the Pandemic.  This is a "Slam Dunk".
Fortunately, science, medicine, organizations and businesses are constantly finding solutions to the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, they all share the common problem of how to spread this important and essential information and solutions to the public in the most effective and efficient manner.
A simple solution to this problem, may be with the use of posters. The use of posters is a scientifically proven and commonly used format to effectively disseminate information in the academic and public health fields. Yes, a study published in the Health Information and Libraries Journal, found that posters are tools that have the ability to increase knowledge, change attitudes and alter behaviors. In fact, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recommends the use of posters in their standards, to educate the public on important health issues.
Therefore, the use of educational posters in hospital waiting rooms, schools, child cares and concerned businesses should be a "slam dunk" for helping to slow and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and it's variants. The reasons are simple, posters have been around in every industry for a long time because they work.
Incidentally, the new basketball terminology for impressive slam dunks, is "posterizing." So, let's "posterize" this pandemic with all the impressive statistical, evidence-based information, and expert comments.
Thank you, for all you do to help protect our collective health, environment, learning, play and safety.
Dennis Smiddle - former PA Health and Safety Inspector.
0 Comments

Tot Talk - Learn Every Day

7/20/2021

0 Comments

 
​tottalk.com/
  • MADE IN USA
  • Safety-Approved  
  • Award Winning
  • Anti-bacterial - Wash with dish soap; placemats dry quickly. 
  • Use dry erase or washable markers.  Kids can also wipe clean with paper towel or eraser.  A spray bottle is fun too!  
  • Used in homes, schools and on the go,travelling or in a restaurant.
  • Age Recommendation:  2 - 6
  • Lightweight and durable.  
  • Dimensions:  17.5" x 11.5" 


0 Comments

FANS 4 HELP – Build Your Own Learning Garden and Safety Barrier.

4/19/2021

0 Comments

 
The FANS 4 HELP Learning Garden and Safety Barrier can be created by anyone, any size, anywhere and anytime to help protect people, property, public places, play spaces and our planet. We can help empower everyone, especially children, with a learning garden for growing healthy plants and connecting with the wonders of science and nature. Additionally, our attractive and accessible structures are recommended as safety barriers and protective landscaping by the PA Department of Education, the PA State Police School Safety Guidelines and the Department of Homeland Security. Yes, FANS 4 HELP can empower everyone, especially the children.. Don't believe us! Just watch our Remake Learning Day.
FANS 4 HELP is what learning and play should be and could be all about.  We are what we do and we can help empower you.
FANS is an acronym that stands for Fitness + Arts + Nature + Science, plus Fun + Accessible + Nurturing + Safe.  Then, HELP is an acronym that stands for Health + Environment + Learning + Play.  FANS 4 HELP a new 2020 nonprofit 501(c)(3) education. 
As the founder of FANS of Play and now, as the Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP, I have been involved in helping to connect child cares, schools, churches, educators and other stakeholders in our children’s future with safer and more beneficial learning and play opportunities.
As a long-time member of the Remake Learning Network and with their invaluable help, I am offering the following Remake Learning Day:
The FANS 4 HELP – Build Your Own Learning and Safety Barrier will demonstrate how anyone can help build an attractive, accessible and fully functional raised bed garden and safety barrier on site at Smart Kids Child Development and Learning Center in Meadowlands, PA.  Guaranteed to Succeed.


remakelearningdays.org/event/fans-4-help-build-your-own-learning-garden-and-safety-barrier/


0 Comments

Radon Testing in Schools is a "No Brainer."

3/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Radon testing in schools, is a “no brainer.”
Radon testing in schools where children and essential workers spend long hours indoors, should not be postponed any longer and this testing is a “no brainer.”
 Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers according to the EPA.  Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths (1.56 million deaths).  Conclusion, radon gas causes death by the respiratory system and especially in compromised respiratory systems, just like the deadly COVID virus that attacks and kills through the respiratory system.
Radon testing is not expensive and the mitigation of this harmful gas is not complicated.  Due to the deadly COVID-19 respiratory disease, our US lawmakers just passed the greatest funding ever for school health and safety.  There is $170 billion in funding to help get children back in the classrooms safely and the time for radon testing needs to be done with the urgency of now.
In fact, some PA Senators reintroduced a bill in February 2021, for radon protection and to make radon testing mandatory-(Remediation Act., 2021 Bill Text PA S.B. 205, Introduced February 10, 2021).  However, this type of legislative bill has failed in the past and during this pandemic, there is no time to waste waiting on a handful of senators to pass legislation.  Science has already proven that radon is a leading cause of lung cancer and harmful to our respiratory system, just like the deadly COVID virus.
School boards and school administrators need to use some of the huge health and safety funding on radon testing, radon mitigation and healthier ventilation systems, if necessary. Failing to do radon testing (at a minimum) and your schools will be failing everyone’s collective health and safety protection.
 If there is anyone who agrees with this commentary or denies this science on the harmful effects of radon, please voice your concerns here or to your school, with the urgency this issue deserves.  Also, any school’s silence on this issue is equivalent to noncompliance with the mission and purpose of our tax funded schools.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dennis Smiddle – Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP (a new 2020 nonprofit with no financial interests in radon testing or mitigation).
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FANS 4 HELP 2021 Poster Calendar Collection - combines a full 2021 calendar with colorful images and remindful messages. $5 each add $5 for laminated. (free mailing for orders over $30.)

12/22/2020

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    Author

    ​Dennis Smiddle is a retired Pennsylvania Child Care Health & Safety Inspector of 20 years. He also spent 6 years as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, 6 years as a Pennsylvania Keystone Stars Playground Safety Trainer, and was a 15 year Recreation Therapist. Dennis is the owner and operator of FANS of Play

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