Gary, a 52 year old man with a diagnosis of moderate intellectual disability, has no recollection of ever attending school and possesses very limited academic knowledge.  What he does have is a desire to work in a community setting and excellent work and social skills.  His family also faced the barrier of providing transportation to and from a work program for Gary.  Since 1999, through a partnership with the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, Gary has received transportation and the opportunity to work.  Gary has worked at the Goodwill retail store helping with customer service and custodial duties, but in the past year Gary resigned from that position to pursue an even better opportunity.

During the last holiday season JCPenny asked Goodwill to assemble a work crew for the first time of people with mild to moderate disabilities that could provide seasonal support to their sales floor team.  At the end of the holiday season Gary’s work skills had improved so much in the program that JCPenny hired him and others from the work crew in permanent positions. 

A local mother sent a letter of thanks to the Fredericksburg Food Bank last year.  It was difficult walking through their doors  and swallowing her pride so that her children could get the nutrition they needed for good health as her family struggled.  She wrote that when she met with a volunteer the woman assured her request for assistance would not be broadcast and she was educated on available community resources.

 When people in our community work to help those in crisis we not only meet an immediate need, but encourage the kindness to continue.  This mother enjoyed volunteering before her struggles and assures in her writing that because of this
experience she cannot wait to return the favor with more volunteering when she is back on her feet.

When Girl Scout Troop 720 in Fredericksburg prepared to travel Pune, India they had no idea how this trip would help EDUCATE them so much on another culture.  With financial support from community members they went to an International Session entitled “Holistic Living”. They learned yoga, meditation, toured historic Indian sites, and met with local families to share in traditional meals. 

Your gift allows girls to learn how to be an ADVOCATE for the diversity and multi-cultural representation we have in our own community through participating in a variety of scouting events.

Anne is a 39 year old woman with Down Syndrome.  Her HEALTH is greatly affected and it has caused her to have a balance problem and have no feeling in her feet.  Five years ago she became a participant in the YMCA Special Needs program.  As instructors teach her pilates, Wally Ball, and helping her use gym equipment her legs continue to get stronger.  Recently Anne was able to walk down the hall without any help.