NEW ULM — Rain or shine, the staff and volunteers of Adaptive Recreation Services (ARS) find ways to make sure community participants stay active.

On Tuesday, staff and volunteers held a drive-thru pickup outside the Community Center during the downpour. Each ARS on-the-go activity is provided in a bag full of small gifts and craft items. This month, the participants were given a “welcome summer” sign to paint.

ARS is a nonprofit organization that provides recreational outings and group-oriented programming for teens and adults living with disabilities, in New Ulm and the surrounding area. The COVID pandemic has been hard on ARS. The group has been unable to meet for in-person events since the pandemic started. Fortunately, ARS has lived up to its name and adapted to the situation.

ARS Coordinator Karrie Borchert said for the last year they have been delivering these special on-the-go activities to programming participants. In the early months of the pandemic, ARS would deliver items for a special group activity for participants. During winter ARS switched to a drive-thru approach. Once a month, participants can pick up from the activity vehicle at the side of the Community Center.

Staff and volunteers make sure to get the bags to all participants, even during inclement weather

Borchert said it rained during last month’s drive-thru; at least it was warmer in April.

The grab-and-go activity has proven popular. On average 30, participants pick up items from the drive-thru and another 17 required delivery. Many of the participants live in a group home and these activities help keep them social at home.

These items are provided to participants free of charge. Borchert said they can provide items free through grants ARS receives.

ARS is partially funded by the United Way of Brown County, New Ulm Park and Recreation, donations from the 3M employee match group, MRCI Bargains Store and several individual donors.

Borchert said ARS has been lucky to receive the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts grant for the second time.

ARS will continue to hold the drive-thru event in May but hopes to hold an in-person activity outside the Community Center in June depending on the state of the pandemic.