Independent Living Services hosting fifth golf ball drop

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

CONWAY — Independent Living Services will hold its fifth annual Golf Ball Drop Saturday at Estes Stadium. The Golf Ball Drop festivity will start at 4:45 p.m. on the practice field behind Estes Stadium. Proceeds from the event will be used to help Independent Living Services provide safe, reliable transportation to nearly 200 people with intellectual disabilities in Faulkner County.

Grand prize for the ball closest to the hole wins $2,009. Participants have the option to purchase a single golf ball for a $10 donation, three balls for a $25 donation, seven balls for a $50 donation and 20 for a $100 donation. Individuals who would like to participate in the Golf Ball Drop may make an online donation at www.indliving.org or send cash, check or money order vial mail at Golf Ball Drop Independent Living Services, P.O. Box 1070 Conway, AR 72033.

All proceeds will be used toward the 20 percent match required for two transportation grants through the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. These grants provide funding to private nonprofit groups to meet transportation needs where existing transportation is unavailable, inappropriate or insufficient for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Due to a yearly 10 percent growth rate in individuals served in Faulkner County since 2006, Independent Living Services’ capacity to shuttle persons with disabilities has weakened.

The 20-passenger Ford E-450 bus provided by the Job Access and Reverse Commute grant will save Independent Living Services both time and money by consolidating the two routes into one convenient route. At this time, Independent Living Services uses two 12-passenger, handicap accessible vans to shuttle individuals with intellectual disabilities to and from the Greenbrier area.

The 12-passenger Ford E-350 bus acquired by the New Freedom Program grant will provide nearly 40 individuals with transportation to employment opportunities at Profiles Productions, a recycling facility operated by Independent Living Services.

Contact Bobby M. Kelly III at (501) 329-8249 or by e-mail bobby@indliving.org for more information.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 65 on 11/05/2009

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