Wed, Oct 06, 2010
"Team Care" Helps Families With Special Needs Navigate The
Orlando Airport
Organizers of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
program called Team Care say it has helped more than 750 families
who have children with life-threatening illnesses as they traveled
through Orlando International Airport (MCO) during the past year,
assisting them through the sometimes-daunting security
screening process.
In a news release, TSA says Team Care is staffed by
Transportation Security Officers who receive specialized training.
In 2009, TSA Team Care employees from MCO attended the Give Kids
the World (GKTW) Angel Orientation at the GKTW Village in Kissimmee
where they gained familiarity with the disability-related needs of
families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. Team
Care's efforts were recognized by Mitch Goldberg, Vice President of
Give Kids the World.
"It can be intimidating and overwhelming for any inexperienced
traveler to navigate through an international airport," said
Goldberg. "For families of children with sensitive and
life-threatening illnesses, it is an incredible relief to be
personally greeted and escorted by the compassionate TSA team ...
it truly bookends the beginning and ending of a perfect vacation.
Thank you TSA for your gracious hospitality to the families of Give
Kids the World."
Many TSA employees volunteer and actively support their local
communities when they are off duty. TSA Orlando volunteers have
collected more than 1,200 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food
Bank, collected and distributed toys for Toys for Tots, taught
economics for the Junior Achievement Program, and assisted athletes
in Disney's 2010 Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games. Many
of these volunteers teamed up with Customs and Border Protection
for its on-going Explorers program. Their mission is to help young
adults – ages 14 to 20 – by teaching positive character
traits, career development, and leadership skills so they can make
ethical choices to achieve their full potential in life. In
addition, TSA volunteers have hosted a Mentoring Day at the airport
for Orange County Public Schools.
"Many TSA employees around the nation, including those in
Orlando, are individually contributing off-duty time to their
communities," said Federal Security Director John Daly Jr. "The
Team Care initiative, started in Orlando last year, demonstrates
TSA's commitment to the community and to homeland security. I am
confident that through the work of the Team Care officers at the
airport, and through the community volunteer work of our employees,
TSA Orlando will continue to stand side-by-side with the community
and lend a helping hand to those in need."
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