The UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders has been transforming lives for the better since 1963. But thanks to some very creative and generous volunteers, it was the Callier Center’s Dallas location that was transformed on Nov. 21.
In celebration of Family Volunteer Day, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Tocqueville Society members spent the day painting a variety of art projects to beautify the center and serve as learning tools for visitors. The society members, who contribute $10,000 or more annually to the United Way, selected the Callier Center for “Art from the Heart,” their first-ever family volunteer event.
Volunteers painted 16 individual canvases to create “Sounds of the World,” which is currently displayed in the center’s waiting area.
The event was sponsored by Comerica Bank and HKS Inc., a top-three national architectural firm located in Dallas.
“In August, I received a volunteer grant application from the United Way for artwork,” said Donise Pearson, clinical director for the Callier Center. “I immediately submitted it, and low and behold, the center was chosen. The beautiful artwork that now adorns our walls has improved not only the look, but also the spirit of the center.”
A total of 10 projects were completed. Architects and designers from HKS created the designs with an emphasis on the human senses, especially sight, sound and touch. The architects and designers were on site the entire day to oversee the projects and assist the volunteers, as needed.
Throughout the day, Callier Center clinicians treated the volunteers to free hearing screenings, demonstrations of assistive listening devices and an audio-simulation of hearing loss. Plus, children in attendance learned how to sign some common words by playing a sign-language bingo game.
“We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the United Way over the years,” stated Dr. Tom Campbell, executive director of the Callier Center. “Working on this unique project with members on the Tocqueville Society, HKS Inc. and Comerica Bank has been great fun and has resulted in an exciting new look for our center.”
The Callier Center has been a United Way partnering agency since 1968. In May 2009, the United Way contributed $407,000 to support three key clinical programs.
Family Volunteer Day is a national event founded by the HandsOn Network and sponsored by Disney Parks. It is a day of service “designed to demonstrate the power of families volunteering together and is celebrated annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving.”
or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu
Above: The splatter paint art that now adorns the clinic’s hallway (above) was created by tossing small balloons filled with paint onto blank canvases. Below: Children played an active role in creating the artwork.
