Penn State Harrisburg

Mikayla's Voice had an opportunity, yesterday, to present to a group of upcoming teachers at Penn State Harrisburg.



Junior board member, Hannah Oren, shared with the group how she met Mikayla and their involvement with the Best Buddies program at Nazareth High School.



Mikayla takes time to autograph Our Friend Mikayla books.

Polk Elementary School Puts Inclusion Together

Mikayla, Kim and Abby are happy to bring the message of Inclusion to the students and staff at Polk Elementary School.







Abby shares Mikayla's message by reading the book Our Friend Mikayla, which her classmates wrote while in the third grade.

Elevation Celebration Weekend

Rain couldn't dampen the excitement of the day! Children, parents, volunteers and spectators came to CocaCola Park to welcome Michael Glenn to the Lehigh Valley and to enjoy crafts, food and fun. Yes, it rained and no Michael was not able to give tethered rides as he had hoped, but if you watch the slide show below you'll see what a great time was had by all in spite of the weather.




Michael, being an advocate for special needs people, and ever so gracious, he invited everyone back to the park on Sunday to try again! This time, the sun was shining and the smiles even brighter as Michael and his father, Bill, brought out their balloons to the delight of all in attendance. Check out the smiles in the slideshow below.



Thanks to all whom made this event possible!

Iron Pigs Halloween Game

Mikayla's Voice was back at CocaCola Park yesterday for the Iron Pigs Halloween Game. What a spectacular event.





It was a Halloween game, so true to form MV's Junior Board are in costume.



Mikayla hands off the first ball to be played to the umpire.








Each player wore a Halloween jersey, which was later signed and auctioned off as part of a fundraiser for our organization. Throughout the game, spectators bought raffle tickets for players' autographed hats and for a team signed jersey.



This nice gentleman won Ryne Sandberg's hat and he let Mikayla try it on for size!





After the game, those who won shirts or hats went onto the field so the players could autograph the items won.

Many players stuck around to sign autographs for other bystanders. Domonic Brown could not have been more gracious with his autograph and posing for pictures; he even gave one youngster his batting gloves!







Raymond and Nicholas Gara won the team signed jersey.....congratulations guys, and thank you!

Thank you to all whom supported Mikayla's Voice and this event.

Our Community Star

Logan Houptley is a freshman at Nazareth Area High School, and co-founder of Mikayla’s Voice, non-profit organization. This past November, he was one of the main speakers at a national convention for ARC of the United States, an organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities. He is involved with Friends of ANDYMIL™, Bethlehem recycling and Angel 34. Logan is a National Society of High School Scholars member, a member of the NAHS student council and co-homeroom representative. He plays junior varsity boys’ soccer and runs for the high school’s track and field team. Logan has been actively educating children about children with disabilities since elementary school. His first project in educating others about children with disabilities was to coauthor “Our Friend Mikayla.” Most recently for his confirmation community service project, Logan organized a piggy bank decorating contest. Children uniquely decorated the pigs, and then they auctioned off to raising more than $1,000 for Mikayla’s Voice. All of the funds are being used to produce and promote the book “Our Friend Mikayla,” Logan includes everyone and treats everyone with respect!

Tonight he received the Homewood Suites & Lehigh Valley IronPigs Community Star Award. The Homewood Suites Community Star Award is designed to recognize Lehigh Valley area community leaders -- teachers, coaches, volunteers, etc. -- anyone who you feel makes a difference in the local community and commits their time and talent to make the Lehigh Valley a better place!

Congratulations to Logan; he is committed to making the Lehigh Valley a better place.

Volunteers Needed!

Last July we had the remarkable opportunity to meet Michael Glen, the world’s first paraplegic hot air balloon pilot. We are thrilled to announce that Michael and his dad will be bringing their balloons and their story to the Lehigh Valley for the first ever Mikayla’s Voice Elevation Celebration event at Coca-Cola Park on August 6, 2011. Michael will not only speak with and encourage children with disabilities to follow their dreams, but share his love of ballooning with them. Michael will be able to offer tethered balloon rides to 40 children with physical disabilities ~ those unable to stand in a balloon basket but requiring his specially adapted seat. At the same time, his father and retired teacher, Bill Glen, will give 80 additional children with disabilities an opportunity to ride in his traditional basket. By including kids with disabilities in an activity that they and their families likely thought was impossible, we hope to inspire them to realize anything is possible. In addition, with the support of the Lehigh Valley community we are looking to make this an event beyond the balloon ride. Complete with music, food, face painters, balloon artists, art activities and more this will truly be a celebration to remember for so many deserving kids.

We would like to invite you to join us as a volunteer. By volunteering your time you can share in this once-in-a-lifetime experience with hundreds of kids in the Lehigh Valley. The event will run from 4 PM to 8 PM on Saturday August 6th. We are in need of volunteers to man such things as: activity stations, check-in guests, serve food, and other event duties. If you are interested in helping us with our Elevation Celebration please leave your NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL and AGE (i.e. over 21) within the comments. If in fact you cannot work the entire event specify the HOURS you would be available on the 6th. If you are not able to volunteer for this event, but are interested in volunteering your time for future events I'd ask that you send me your information to add to our volunteer database.

Mikayla’s Voice Elevation Celebration is not a fundraising event, rather an awareness and outreach event aligned with our mission. By including kids with disabilities in an activity they and their families likely thought was impossible we hope to inspire them that anything is possible. We invite you to join us in sharing this most important message and once-in-a-lifetime experience with kids throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Garnet Valley School District

Secondary Staff





Beverly Smith, Director of Special Education at Garnet Valley School District, Glen Mills, PA, gifted all her special education teachers with an Inclusion t-shirt designed by Mikayla's Voice.



Elementary Staff