Lend a hand: How you can help our communities

If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured, contact Christie Willhite at (630) 955-3536 or cwillhite@dailyherald.com.

For more than 30 years, children and adults with disabilities have been able to go bowling, play softball, take a dance class and so much more thanks to the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.

The organization, a joint effort by area park districts, picks up where regular park district programming leaves off. WDSRA offers recreation classes, sports leagues, Special Olympics teams and other services for participants of all ages.

To remind the community of WDSRA's programs and to raise money, the group is hosting its 14th annual Women's Golf Outing on Monday. Golfers can play a round accompanied by a caddie they hire in the Male Caddie Auction.

Marketing director Sherry Manschot discusses the event and WDSRA's services.

Q. What is WDSRA's mission?

A. Our mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with special needs to develop as individuals through recreation. The benefits of recreation extend far beyond the soccer field or the dance floor. The skills that are learned and practiced in leisure activities provide a tremendous foundation for life. For an individual with a disability, recreational activities can build skills, improve self-confidence, provide socialization opportunities and reinforce a sense of teamwork and tolerance. The benefits are endless.

Q. How does WDSRA work toward accomplishing that goal?

A. WDSRA programs provide a safe learning environment with caring, dedicated and trained staff. Through fun and recreation, participants are able to learn and practice the skills needed throughout a lifetime. Through leisure activities, an individual can establish friendships and gain social independence.

We offer a wide range of programs for preschool, school age, teens and adults including adapted sports, Special Olympics, music, arts, dance, swimming, bowling, day trips, social clubs, movie clubs and more. In addition, we provide outings to area attractions as well as longer trips to special destinations such as Disney and Mexico at spring break.

WDSRA also provides inclusion services at no charge to individuals who require assistance and support to participate in any member park district program. With inclusion, WDSRA's goal is to build toward an individual's independence in their local park district, recreation department or community program.

Our adult programs provide individuals with regular social interaction and community connections that build toward greater independence and an enhanced quality of life.

As a service to the community, WDSRA offers disability awareness programs to educate students, community groups and others on the challenges that people living with a disability can face every day.

Q. Who do you serve?

A. Our services are primarily available to children and adults with disabilities in our nine participating communities in DuPage County including Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield. Individuals living outside of these communities area also are welcome.

Q. When and why did WDSRA start? How has it grown?

A. WDSRA was organized in 1976 with just a bowling program and a day camp as a way for partnering park districts to address the needs of a growing number of people living with disabilities. We have grown to offer more than 1,000 annual recreational programs, trips and special events to people of all ages living with special needs.

Q. What kind of successes have you had?

A. Our successes can be seen in the face of a little boy playing softball for the first time or in the smile of a little girl who has just finished her first dance recital. It can be seen in the anticipation of teenagers arriving at a formal dance with their friends or the athlete who receives their first medal. It is evident in the pride taken when members of a service club complete a service project in efforts to help others. It is evident in the elation and celebration of the high school boys winning the state championship. It is in the familiarity and comfort found in close friendships kept over many years.

These are the successes we see every day in our families. These common, everyday successes mean so very much when that little boy is living with autism, that little girl is living with Down syndrome, or that team of boys are playing from wheelchairs.

WDSRA has awards and medals for outstanding programming, but it is the everyday events that we count as our greatest successes.

Q. What challenges are you facing?

A. We are constantly striving to provide the highest quality programming while remaining acutely aware of the costs to our participants. With that in mind, we reach into the community for assistance finding quality volunteers and staff as well as support in fundraising.

Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with WDSRA?

A. The absolute best parts of being a part of the WDSRA family are the connections one person can make with so many people and the difference one person can make in so many lives. Whether you volunteer for a day or for a season, you get connected with people whose lives are enriched by the help you provide in such a fun and relaxed environment. When you help someone accomplish their goals, no matter how large or small, there is a ripple effect that extends from one person to the next.

And the best kept secret about WDSRA is that when you volunteer, you have as much fun as our participants. Our participants truly enjoy the programs and always have a smile and a hug for our volunteers. The rewards are many for both our participants and our volunteers!

Q. How can readers get involved?

A. We embrace the support we receive from the community. It is through the many volunteers who share their time and passions and the donations we receive from community organizations, families and individuals that we are able to make an impact on so many lives. We invite everyone to join us in creating a difference in the quality of life for so many individuals living in DuPage County.