FIRECRACKER CHART in State Bank lobby will show the progress of the Day Activity Center building drive. The fuse is lighted and nearly at the $3,000 mark, according to Jaycees spearheading the drive. Displaying the chart are Jim Abbott, standing at left, Ron Burnett, kneeling at left, and Gary Flansberg, standing at right, all of the Jaycees and Dick Wilner of State Bank. (Photo by Ron Grieser)

A total of $2,735 has been contributed so far to insure the building of a permanent home for the West Nicollet-Brown County Day Activity Center, according to Jim Abbott of the Jaycees, fund raising chairman for the project. Goal for the drive has been set at $10,000.

Local Jaycees kicked off the drive with a contribution of $2,000. Jaycees also will sponsor the Carson and Barnes Circus in New Ulm July 8, with all proceeds from the sale of advanced tickets going to the building fund.

The Jaycees will be accepting material donations as well as money. Denis Warta of Lindsay Soft Water has already offered to donate equipment and installation of a soft water system in the building, Abbott said.

Anyone with donations of this type should contact either Abbott or Ron Burnett of the Jaycees.

Abbott said today that with continued effort and help the building will be completed so that the center can be in use for the 1974-75 school year.

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CONTRIBUTIONS so far include $2,000, Jaycees; $230, Mrs. Jaycees; $200, DAC; $150, Lafayette Village United Fund; $50, School Dist. 88 High School student council, Dr. Preston Kragt, Sleepy Eye; $25,Robert and Mary Cornell, Spirit Lake, Iowa; $20, 3M; $10, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Glaser, Glencoe (in memory of Wallace Long).

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THE PURPOSE of the West-Nicollet, Brown County Day Activity Center is to serve the needs of those handicapped residents, who, because of age, limited mental ability or other disabilities are unable to participate in regular or special education programs and to provide job training and placement for these individuals.

At the present time the Center is serving seven pre-school children, the ages range from 2 years to 13 years of age. They are taught self-care and for those who will be going into public schools they are given pre-school training. There are 11 adults ranging from 16 to 56.

This year a work activity program for the adults was started. Because of the limited facilities, this work consists mainly of small assembly work. The students are paid for their work. Lessons at the center consist of speech therapy, reading, writing and art craft.

A social worker from Sioux Trails Mental Health Center makes regular visits to the Center to assist in behavior problems and evaluations of the participants.

Staff consists of the director, Rosalyn Riisness, two teachers, Mary Lou Stoltzfus (Mrs. John), Susan Nierengarten (Mrs. Mark), two assistant teachers, Brigid Kelly and Koyce Nelson (Mrs. LaVern). They are assisted by volunteers.

New Ulm Daily Journal, June 8, 1973