Great River Homes of Wabasha County

Great River Homes, Inc.
Community Enrichment Celebration
The annual Community Enrichment Celebration sponsored by Great River Homes, Inc. was held on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at the VFW Hall in Wabasha, MN. People receiving services from Great River Homes, Inc., along with their families and friends, employees and their families, and board members and their families enjoyed ice cream sundaes from the Wabasha Dairy Queen and a special recognition program.

This year, Great River Homes, Inc. celebrated thirty-two years of providing services in Wabasha County and enriching our communities by their presence, participation, and contributions. This annual event was held in conjunction with Community Enrichment Week which is being celebrated in Minnesota in October during Disability Awareness Month.

All across America, people with disabilities are making important contributions to their communities and workplaces. The individuals who receive services from Great River Homes, Inc. give back to their community in many ways. They participate in fundraising walks, pick up litter at a City Park, participate in the Shoebox Project, host block parties, shovel snow for neighbors, volunteer at churches and nursing homes, and collect and deliver pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House among other acts of kindness and generosity. Community Enrichment Celebration attendees brought non-perishable food items to donate to local food shelves as another way of giving to others.

This celebration also recognized "Good Neighbor" recipients. The awards are presented to individuals, businesses, and organizations that have been especially helpful and supportive of people with disabilities. Mary Kay Knott of Winsted, Minnesota was recognized as a Good Neighbor for the hospitality and friendship she has provided or the past 27 years. Paul Garry of Lake City, Minnesota was recognized as a Good Neighbor for his commitment to the mission of Great River Homes, Inc. as a board member.

This was also an opportunity to recognize the dedicated service of employees and board members of Great River Homes, Inc. Special recognition was given to employees who have reached milestones. Tom Grable, Shawn Huth, Kim Pyle and Candy Sumner received recognition for five years of employment. Jim Newman received recognition for twenty years of employment. Paul Garry received recognition for five years of volunteer service as a board member.

It is the mission of Great River Homes, Inc. to continually improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Wabasha County by providing quality support services. The vision of Great River Homes, Inc. is for all people with developmental disabilities to have full and abundant lives. For the past 32 years, Great River Homes, Inc. has fulfilled its mission and vision by providing supported living services, semi-independent living services, respite care, personal support, and in-home family support services.

Employees of Great River Homes, Inc. who received special recognition for employment milestones from left to right are: Tom Grable (5 years), Shawn Huth (5 years), Candy Sumner (5 years), and Jim Newman (20 years).

Community Enrichment Week is sponsored by ARRM. Visit ARRM at www.arrm.org.