Guests: Marci Kauffman of Tech Inc. our speaker for today, and Carmen Jantz, a Tech Inc. client.
Sergeants Playground: Today featured our favorite sheriffs Ward and Colby. Right away Colby got so excited about all the money coming his way that he couldnt hang onto the toilet. Randall H paid for being late to his own committee meeting this morning. Dwight W, Doug F, and Fred C paid for grossing out Colby with their conversation about snot and boogers during their committee meeting. Bob B paid for waving at Colby but not saying a word to him. Mark T was fined for doing hard labor since he was driving his carpet cleaning van instead of his usual sales vehicle. Larry S paid for something, but I am sure it was perfectly legit. Jeff R purchased a fine for celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary. I think he took his wife to Taco Bell as a special treat.
Announcements: Randall H announced two off site meetings during August. We will meet at Reins of Hope on August 9th and our annual Golf Scramble will be at Carey Park on August 23rd. Watch for more details to come. Doug F announced an Ice Cream Booth work day for August 3rd at 8:00. We need to paint some spots on the booth. No big fix-up projects expected this year (we hope).
Program: Jeff R introduced Marci Kauffman of Tech, Inc., who began by looking back 40 years to the idea that gave birth to the Training and Evaluation Center of Kansas in Hutchinson. A local attorney, Elwin Cabbage and his wife Margaret were struggling with how to provide a life for their disabled son.
Their philosophy centered on keeping him local so that he could be cared for and supported by his family. At that time, the only thing available was institutionalization, which they could not support. They got together with several other families with similar situations and put together a plan that has grown into what we know as Tech, Inc. If you peruse their website (www.techinc.org) you will see just how large and how far their programs reach into the Hutchinson/Reno County community. This years biggest expansion has been the move of the Adult Life Skills program to West Avenue B. The building has been totaling renovated inside and out and has allowed for this program to provide many opportunities for clients to develop important skills moving them toward independence. Marci then introduced Carmen Jantz, one of their great success stories. She has been part of the program for 18 years. She works at Walmart in the Janitorial Dept. She is purchasing her own house, and she and her friend Philip live there together. Philip works at McDonalds on 4th street. They met at Plum House Techs first offsite living center. She is very creative and has been very successful with her entries at the Kansas State Fair. She and Philip are great examples of individuals overcoming their special challenges to be productive citizens in our community. Marci ended her presentation by thanking the Hutchinson Ambucs for being one of their most important annual supporters of their facilities and programs.
Drawings: The 50/50 pot of $14 was won by this editor, who donated it to Tech. The Newsletter drawing went to Reta Joy Campbell, who donated the $30 to Tech. The question for Friday the 26th is
Name the Tech fundraiser to be held on Friday, August 9th. You can find it on their website. The pot is back to $5.
Upcoming Program: Tonya Powers, daughter of Tony and Valerie, who this year won National Forensic Honors for her presentation. Expect to be well entertained.
Editor: Duke Wiggins