Founder of Celebrate Differences talks to Aurora Noon Lions

Oswego resident Rebecca Christiansen chronicled the founding Celebrate Differences disability awareness center in Oswego at the Aurora Noon Lions Club luncheon meeting Oct. 2.

Christiansen said she founded the 501(c)3 organization in 2007 to support disabled persons in reaching their fullest potential by providing positive resources and information to families, communities and health care providers.

In October 2016, she bought A Pinch of Happiness spice shop, 74 W. Washington St. in Oswego, to train disabled adults. She said the shop provides high quality, fresh and flavorful spices, extracts and coffee.

"The shop serves a purpose our customers can feel happy about while providing job skills training and employment for 10 adults with disabilities," she added.

Trainees learn product packaging, weighing, sales, register operation, website development and other job skills.

Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

The shop is offering a pumpkin-pie dip mix through Oct. 30. A pumpkin-pie mix will be free with any other dip-mix purchase.

For information, call (630) 885-3006 or visit celebratedifferences.org.

The Aurora Noon Lions Club meets at noon on the first and third Monday of every month at Luigi's Pizza and Fun Center, 732 Prairie St. in Aurora. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/auroranoonlions/.