Christiansburg Club Awards $7000 Grant
by Jim Vanhoozier

Intellectual Disabilities Agency, Inc. of the New River Valley is a charitable organization that reaches out to help those who are mentally challenged. Their service speaks volumes to the pro-active will of people and hope that their volunteering provides. Sheila Roop leads a skeleton crew of volunteers largely made up of local university fraternal organizations and civic minded citizens looking to make an impact in their community. They strive to impact the lives of their clients on what many would consider an impossible shoe string budget.

The organization has grown to over 200 clients in the past few years; many face challenges daily, but they look to seek no help, just social acceptance. If you ask, these individuals do not seek pity, they seek interaction and education. The clients range from young to old and many have conditions such as Down syndrome or mental retardation. Leisure offers programs for these individuals to participate, grow, and educate. Their interactions include cooking classes, bowling, softball, basketball, volleyball, aquatics and four or five dances per year. This interaction, although just once or twice a week, allows these talented individuals an opportunity to leave their everyday surroundings to share in camaraderie that they typically would not have the opportunity to do.

With the recent downturn in funding, the main pipeline of support given to Intellectual Disabilities Agency, Inc. has been The United Way. Recent cutbacks have seriously hampered the ability of the program to keep up with the demand of the community. Each year as the valley continues to grow; additional clients seek participation in the program. This elevates challenges for Leisure Direction to continue to support such a large number. Participation is always free, but help is always needed.

The Christiansburg Kiwanis Club in collaboration with The Dan Paul Foundation awarded a grant to Intellectual Disabilities Agency, Inc. in the amount of $7,000. The Christiansburg Kiwanis Club has annually, for the past three years, contributed $ 2000 to Intellectual Disabilities Agency, Inc. The Dan Paul Foundation founded by Libby Cornett is also a foundation rooted in the belief that if you teach them how to use the tools in life you help make a difference in the lives of many, an outlook on life full of education and social acceptance.

Intellectual Disabilities Agency, Inc. is striving organization that works effectively to impact their community. They need support from donations and volunteers to continue to make progress. It is a worthy cause that only reaps pure satisfaction in knowing the impact is felt up front the moment you step through the doors to support them.