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‘Breath of fresh air’

Collaboration between BEi, community celebrated

Times Observer photos by Lorri Drumm Margaret Foley, naturalist and volunteer coordinator at the Audubon Community Nature Center, accepts a proclamation recognizing its partnership with Bollinger Enterprises from Jeanine Valencia, BEi program specialist, and William Clark, BEi executive director.

An event intended to thank the businesses and organizations that provide clients of Bollinger Enterprises Inc. (BEi) places to work and volunteer turned into a mutual appreciation fest on Friday.

It was almost like a Thanksgiving family gathering, except on a Friday with several varieties of pizza instead of the traditional turkey.

William Clark, BEi executive director, invited representatives of several businesses and organizations to join clients and staff for recognition at the 46th Founders Day on Friday.

Clark explained that BEi had a celebration of its 45th anniversary last year and he wanted to continue the festivities this year.

“I thought, why not celebrate every year,” he said. “Our 46th anniversary was actually Thursday but it’s more fun to celebrate on Friday.”

Times Observer photos by Lorri Drumm A group of clients and staff at Bollinger Enterprises prepare to take part in a group photo with guests who were recognized at a celebration of the organization’s 46th Founder’s day on Friday.

BEi provides services that help adults with intellectual disabilities live more fulfilling and productive lives and be more fully integrated as part of their community.

Susan Allen joined her son, Dustin, 35, for lunch. Much like any group luncheon where parents and their children gather, Dustin chose to sit with his friends, but he cheerfully announced his mother’s presence. Dustin has Down Syndrome.

Allen was nervous when Dustin got the opportunity through BEi to start working at Dairy Queen in North Warren.

“I was hesitant, but he wanted to try it,” she said.

“In the time he has worked there, he has never said one negative thing,” Allen said.

The job took Allen and her son out of their comfort zone, she said.

“He makes Dilly Bars. He loves it,” she said. “Once, he even got a nice note of thanks written on a napkin.”

County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston accepted a proclamation from Clark in appreciation of the partnership between the courthouse and BEi, but Eggleston clarified that he was there to thank the clients.

Being involved in creating that partnership is one of the things Eggleston is most proud of since he took office, he said.

“You’ve brought a breath of fresh air to the courthouse,” Eggleston said. “We used to have cleaning staff come in at night when nobody was around.”

Eggleston said that the environment in the building has been uplifted by the presence of BEi clients who provide cleaning services during the work day.

“Thank you for bringing joy and positivity to the courthouse,” he told those gathered on Friday. “There are days when we need it.”

Margaret Foley, a naturalist and volunteer coach at the Audubon Community Nature Center of Jamestown, N.Y., used the same expression as Eggleston to describe the effect the clients have on her place of work. “They are always happy to be there,” she said. ‘They bring a breath of fresh air.”

“We have a team of volunteers who come to the center to dust and clean and do the things that don’t always otherwise get done,” she said.

Representatives from the county, the Audubon Center and Dairy Queen of Youngsville accepted proclamations from Clark on Friday. St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Youngsville, and Dairy Queen of North Warren were also recognized.

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