Thank you for continued support

To the editor:

We are absolutely thrilled to have again the support of the community for Jay Community Partners’ annual holiday party this past December.

With their help, we hosted a “Jingle Bell Rock”-themed Christmas party for approximately 200 people with intellectual disabilities, their families and caregivers. During the event, we recognized Heidi Bowman, local coordinator for Jay County Special Olympics, who was voted coach of the year in the State of Indiana, as well as the important recognition of the work of Jayland Arc’s 60 years of service and dedication to the local disability community that retired in 2016. Accepting that award were Helen and Nick Miller as well as Janice and Rogers Durham.

We have changed our name to Jayland Partners to recognize their legacy.

We would like to celebrate by recognizing the following partnership of our donors and volunteers.

Donors included: Meridian Health Services, FCC Indiana (Portland), Jay-Randolph Developmental Services, Judan Judo, Jay County Event Center, Bryant Angels, Watson Excavating, Inc., Redkey, T-Flyerz, Alexander Financial Group of Raymond James, Opportunities for Positive Growth, McShane Consulting, Cincinnatus League, Clear Chiropractic, Immaculate Conception Rosary Society, Suzan and Chris Sanders, First Bank of Berne, Portland Rotary Club, Asbury United Methodist Church, Delta Theta Tau sorority, Fisher Meats, Portland Lions Club, Tri Kappa Associates, First Merchants Bank, Amy VanLue Photography, Pride Duncan Photography, Walgreens and Monica Raines.

Volunteers included: Lyndsay (Hill) Curran, David Koons, Abby Klemm, Brett Loy, Louis Johnson, Robert “Bama” Steinke, Lisa Paige, Kaitlyn Eason, Nate Chrisman, Don Enyart, Stacy Lingo, Amy VanLue, Rita Flick, Pride Duncan, Landry Inman, Kendra Harris, Kay and Clarel Strausburg, Kelsey Grogg, Amy, Nathan, Gavin, & Sam Myers, Vickie Daniels, Judan Judo Club, Immaculate Conception Catholic Youth Organization, Mark, Marisa, & Emily Smith, Jennifer and Cydney Erickson, Monica Raines, Brittany Flick, Beth Burris, Billie Hammond, Brittany Watson, Donna Watson, Jill Twigg, Vickie Brotherton, Carol and Randy Elzey, Diane Murphy, Amy Barrett, Gayle Broadwater, Gary Lawrence, Mark Coppola, Ruth Davidson, Sheron McClung. Also, Kassidy Huey, Jade Zorn, Kyndal Huey, Aleah and Alexa Barrett, Kiersten Rabon, Kaitlyn, Ian, and Chloe Ruiz, Frida Marentes, Paulina Esquivel, Hannah Laux, Sophia Sprunger, Steve, Crystal, Lilly, Nathan and Corbin Lothridge, the Fields Family, Carmen Martyne, Kinsley Jellison, Christian Scott, AJ Williamson, Denise Habegger, Tami Kaufman, Aylin Montes, Marissa Farmer and Kyla Smith from The Rock Student Ministries.

We are deeply grateful for your support and dedication to the individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in our community. If anyone would like to learn more about the mission of Jayland Partners, please contact us on Facebook or by email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Kathy Lawrence

Laura Strausburg-Smith

Amy Barrett

Jayland Partners