Visit to Carver Elementary in Montgomery

This morning First Lady Dianne Bentley visited Carver Elementary to meet students and faculty as a part of her efforts to promote education and reading throughout Alabama. The kindergartners were very interactive and loved not only the story but also sharing about their own lives.

After the reading, Mrs. Bentley enjoyed songs by first grade students and was able to tour the rest of the school. Carver Elementary works as a magnet school and is able to offer a variety of art options for the students. The First Lady observed students in strings classes, piano classes, art classes, drama, and even got to view the dance studio. It is the hope of the faculty that students will realize their talents early and be able to use them throughout life.

The First Lady was very impressed with the school and all that they offer their students and the community. She admires their work to promote parent involvement and parent programming as well as their focus on getting students committed to their education. Carver offers math workshops for students and parents as well as other workshops during the school year to ensure that everyone is gaining the most from this education.

Mrs. Bentley looks forward to visiting again and participating in school activities.

Governor’s Mansion Doors Display Gold Ribbons in Honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

 MONTGOMERY – First Lady Dianne Bentley announced Thursday that gold ribbons are on display on the Governor’s Mansion doors through the month of September in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“These ribbons serve as a visual reminder of those who are currently fighting cancer,” Mrs. Bentley said. “They also serve to celebrate those who have conquered cancer, and to prayerfully remember those who have lost the battle. Cancer is a harsh reality for anyone to face, especially a child. Together, we must continue the fight to defeat it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, childhood cancer is the second leading cause of death for children under 15 years old and the most frequent cause of childhood death by disease. The most common forms of childhood cancer are leukemia, brain cancer, and cancer of the central nervous system. Cancer is expected to take the lives of 1,340 American children in 2012.

“Every person, if you take a moment, can think of someone who has been affected by cancer,” Mrs. Bentley said. “It may be a family member, a friend, or even a personal experience, but it has touched all of us.”

Photos by Jamie Martin

Can Survive Lighting Ceremony

Last night, First Lady Dianne Bentley attended the Can Survive Lighting Ceremony, for Gynecological Cancer Awareness Day and presented a proclamation from the Governor. This day is in place to bring attention to ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Can Survive GYN Cancer Support Group sponsored the evening and lit the Capitol in teal to honor those fighting, those survivors, and those who have lost the fight.

Can Survive is based in Birmingham and is for women with gynecological cancers, their families, friends, loved ones, and the professionals who treat them. They provide patient support activities in conjunction with several treatment centers in Alabama. They also work throughout the year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of these cancers.

The special ceremony concluded with song and the lighting of candles.

College Colors Press Conference

Today at the historic Alabama Governor's Mansion, Governor and First Lady Bentley hosted a press conference for higher education. Every school across the state was represented either by their mascot or with students.

The official college colors day in the state of Alabama is on August 31, so plan to show your college pride and wear your school's colors!

Chick-Fil-A Visit

Today, First Lady Dianne Bentley joined many others across the country to support ChickFil-A. The lines were long but as always the staff was efficient in getting the food out to customers.

Thanks Chick-Fil-A for a great lunch and for standing strong for Christian values.

Brantwood Children's Home

This morning, First Lady Dianne Bentley spent time with the residents and staff at Brantwood Children's Home. As an adoptive parent and advocate for foster care and adoption, she is proud to support group homes that aid our children. There are 16 current residents who live on site and Mrs. Bentley was able to meet each of them as they showed her their rooms.

At Brantwood, not only is a home provided but a school is on site as well. For the first time this year, they will be able to accommodate students up to the twelfth grade as Brantwood helps them transition through all phases of their life.

This home depends on the help of volunteers and private groups to provide for their needs and the First Lady intends to work with them to make sure these residents are well cared for.

First Lady Dianne Bentley Teams Up with Verizon Wireless to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence

MONTGOMERY – First Lady Dianne Bentley and executives from Verizon Wireless on Wednesday announced continued efforts to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence with the goal of empowering victims and eliminating the violence.

Mrs. Bentley will be featured in a public service announcement that will begin airing this week on television stations in Birmingham and Montgomery.  The public service announcement raises awareness of domestic violence and encourages people to donate their used phones to HopeLine.

HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ national cell phone recycling and re-use program.  HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless devices and accessories – all models, from all wireless carriers – which can then be refurbished, recycled and/or sold.  Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence via cash grants to domestic violence counseling and support agencies.  Also, refurbished phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service – are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients.

“Domestic violence is an often-overlooked issue that affects every community, so I have embraced domestic violence awareness and prevention as one of the causes that I will support as First Lady,” Mrs. Bentley said.  “I was excited to discover that Verizon Wireless has a program in place that gives Alabamians the opportunity to contribute to this important cause by simply donating your old phone.  The more phones we collect in Alabama, the more we can do to prevent abuse.”

In addition to helping Verizon Wireless spread the word about HopeLine, Mrs. Bentley has led efforts to collect more than 4,000 phones for HopeLine throughout this year.  Most recently, on Wednesday, Mrs. Bentley donated nearly 1,200 phones to the HopeLine outreach.  Verizon Wireless recognized First Lady Bentley with a 2012 HopeLine Hero Award earlier this year for her efforts on behalf of this cause.

  

Mrs. Bentley has also worked with the Alabama Department of Corrections to have phones that have been confiscated from inmates donated to HopeLine rather than the phones being destroyed.

“The Department of Corrections was pleased to help the First Lady in such a worthwhile cause that, unfortunately, impacts so many Alabamians,” Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas said.  “Since learning of HopeLine and Mrs. Bentley’s involvement, our correctional staff has confiscated and is donating more than 1,500 cell phones confiscated from inmates in our prisons.  By helping with the First Lady's effort to raise awareness, the staff at the Department of Corrections is directly helping our fellow Alabamians who are harmed by their experiences with domestic violence. "

“It is an honor to work with First Lady Bentley as well as with the many domestic violence organizations across Alabama that work tirelessly to provide assistance to victims and help prevent more Alabamians from being victimized,” said Jonathan LeCompte, president – Georgia/Alabama region, Verizon Wireless.  “We look forward to seeing an increase in phone donations and, in turn, being able to provide more grant dollars to those deserving organizations.”

Members of the public are urged to join the donation effort.  People can donate a phone at any Verizon Wireless store or by mail.  To print a prepaid HopeLine mailing label, simply go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.