Family: Hetlinger is ‘Godsend’

By Brandy Nance

Friday, December 3, 2010

For one local family, their way of life would not be possible without the services Hetlinger Developmental Services provides.

In light of a capital campaign that is nearing its end next month, the family members decided to talk about their experiences with Hetlinger. Earlier this year, Hetlinger announced a $400,000 challenge grant had been issued to the organization. The grant is a capital campaign challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa. According to an earlier press release from Hetlinger, the grant is to help support Hetlinger’s $2 million “Everyday Heroes Campaign.” The campaign will fund the renovation and expansion of the 45-year-old building that Hetlinger is housed in. It will allow the organization to serve 25 percent more clients in the building, which is now too small to accommodate more clients.

Hetlinger provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Karen and Greg Pendlay are parents of twin daughters, Meredith and Michelle Pendlay, who are 27 years old. Michelle is autistic and is a client at Hetlinger and lives with her parents. She works on-site at Hetlinger’s workshop, and she also volunteers at an elementary school in Emporia. At the workshop, consumers make several items for several different companies across the state. Consumers assemble parts for companies, providing them work.

More than 30 percent of eligible workers at Hetlinger cannot work on-site because of lack of space, according to information provided by Hetlinger.

Karen Pendlay works as a para-educator for Flint Hills Educational Co-op, said the family came to Hetlinger after Michelle graduated from high school in 2003, where she was in special education. Karen Pendlay said without Hetlinger’s services she would not be able to work and would need to take care of Michelle. Meredith agreed.

“If one of us took care of her she wouldn’t have that opportunity (to work),” she said.

“This has just been a godsend,” Karen Pendlay said.

In addition to working, clients at Hetlinger have other opportunities and activities as well, including bowling. Michelle also gets to ride the L-CAT — Emporia’s public transportation — to her volunteer job. Michelle said she’s friends with the bus driver. She also enjoys working in-house putting parts together, she said with a smile.

Michelle said she goes to work “to make that money” and she enjoys buying her favorite treat, vanilla ice cream, with her earnings.

“We just couldn’t make it without Hetlinger,” Karen Pendlay said, adding that she’s on the board of directors at Hetlinger.

Meredith, who is in sales at Longbine Auto, said the whole point of Hetlinger’s capital campaign is to raise money so more families can be served in the community.

The campaign also will allow for expansions in:

• the enrichment program which includes a sensory room for visual and tactile activities and a greenhouse.

• the addition of an infirmary.

• the expansion of the lunchroom, kitchen and laundry.

• the addition of a courtyard, which is created by the new west wing.

The budget for the project includes $1.55 million for construction; $180,000 for furnishings and equipment; and $270,000 for professional fees, totaling $2 million.

Hetlinger has raised $1,616,960 with $383,040 left to raise by the Jan. 10 deadline.

To donate to the campaign, contact Hetlinger at 342-1087.