Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
At ADEC, we give back in many ways.
Each week, ADEC clients volunteer their time as a way to connect with the community and give back to the people who make this such a great place to live.
To honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, we thought we would show you how giving to ADEC creates a ripple effect of choice and possibility that starts with each of the 1,000 individuals and families we serve and stretches out to reach our Northern Indiana community.
Here are 12 ways that ADEC clients give back
1 weekly trip to Beardsley Elementary to deliver meals for students
Students at Beardsley Elementary don’t have to worry about having food to eat over the weekend, because clients from ADEC’s Day Services at Elkhart come by every Friday to make sure sack lunches are delivered for anyone in need.
2 scoops of “garlic mashers” at REAL Services’ Nutrition Site in Bristol.
Senior citizens in Bristol enjoy spending time with clients from ADEC’s Day Services at Bristol as they serve lunch and help lead activities.
3 bins of ties at The Depot.
Clients from ADEC’s Day Services at Goshen carefully inspect donated belts and ties before they’re displayed at the Mennonite thrift shop.
4 weeks of bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
If you make a Harding’s run during the holidays, chances are you’ll see clients from ADEC’s Day Services at Middlebury ringing the bell.
5 day services competing in a canned food drive.
Competition was fierce as each of ADEC’s five day services competed to see who could bring in the most food for their local food pantry. ADEC Day Services at Goshen took home the prize and celebrated with a pizza party.
6 handmade blankets for Faith Mission.
People needing refuge from life on the cold streets of Elkhart cozy up with blankets made by clients from ADEC Day Services at Bristol.
7 firemen enjoying a much-needed break as Erwin helps out with chores.
Erwin, an ADEC client who enjoys Supported Living services, eagerly heads to the fire station to help out whenever an extra pair of hands and good conversation is needed.
8 house mates caroling in their neighborhood.
Residents of ADEC’s Park Side group home met their neighbors by walking around and caroling on a snowy evening. A few houses even invited the residents in for hot cocoa.
9 yards raked and bagged.
The elderly ladies in Anne’s neighborhood know they can trust her to help them out when the leaves begin to fall. Anne, a client who enjoys Supported Living services, makes a point of being available when the ladies in her neighborhood and church need a helping hand.
10 boxes of food at the Middlebury Food Pantry.
Each week, clients from ADEC Day Services at Middlebury look forward to packing boxes of food for families in need. Each person knows they are making a difference.
11 painted cars for Toymakers of America.
Children who feel frightened, sick and lost as they navigate the trials of cancer treatment receive handmade creations from Toymakers of America to help put a smile back their faces. ADEC clients at Middlebury partner with the toymakers to paint dozens of cars a year to be distributed in pediatric cancer wards.
12 ceramic bowls for Goshen Clay Guild’s Empty Bowl Soup Supper.
As the soup flows at this popular event benefiting the homeless, 12 guests get to take home the custom-designed handiwork of clients from ADEC Day Services at Goshen.
Article by Whitney Craig | Communications Specialist
Photo by Rod Tackett | Communications Specialist
