Caledonia Argus

Couple honored for volunteer work

Posted: 9/17/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Caledonia residents Don and Lavona Meiners have been named the recipients of the 2002 Volunteer of the Year Award from ARC Minnesota. The award, which they will receive in Bloomington on September 21, recognizes their work in creating changes in services for people with developmental disabilities in southeast Minnesota.

ìWe were kind of dumbfounded when we learned we got the award,î Lavona said. ìWeíve just done what we thought anyone would do if they had a handicapped child.î

The Meiners became involved with ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) in the late 1960s, after the birth of their daughter Lisa, who was born with Down Syndrome.

ìWe went to our first ARC meeting when Lisa was three months old,î Lavona said. ìAt that time there were virtually no services available in the county for people with developmental disabilities.î

In 1967, the couple began working with Camp Winnebago, a summer camp for mentally handicapped children. When Lisa was of school-going age in 1972, they helped found the Development Achievement Center (DAC) in Houston County.

ìLa Crosse had a program, but we couldnít cross state lines for services,î Lavona recalled. ìThe folks there said I should get something started in Houston County, and they said theyíd accept Lisa for a year if I got something started.î

Lavona and Don started the program that year, and LaVona served as DACís first president. Now known as ABC Works, it is a day program for the disabled, providing services such as employment in the community and transportation.

ìThe handicapped people are extremely proud of being able to work and being part of the community,î Lavona said. ìThereís a lot good business places in this area that have been willing to hire the handicapped and thatís very important.î

A.B.L.E., a nonprofit corporation that provides residential services for people with developmental disabilities, was founded in 1979 by the Meiners and works in conjunction with ABC Works.

ìWe started the first group home in 1979 at 109 South Winnebago,î Don said. ìWith the help of ARC and community people the then Houston County Group Home was organized.î

ìThe main reason we wanted to see a group home was so that Lisa would have a place to call home once we were gone,î Lavona added. ìNow Lisa wonít ever have to worry, because she has her own home.î

ìWe donít think itís good to have them living at home,î Don said. ìThe adults are much better off living in their own place.î

A.B.L.E. has expanded throughout the county over the years, serving about 135 individuals with 250 employees in Houston County. In addition to Caledonia, there are homes in Houston, La Crescent, and Spring Grove.

ìMany people when we first started came from institutions,î Lavona said. ìEveryone is living in the community now, and the community has been very supportive. And with the ABC program, no one is left sitting at home all day. I think we share the same pride and joy for ourselves when we see people succeeding in the home or at work.î

When A.B.L.E.ís funding became endangered ten years ago, the Meiners created the A.B.L.E. Foundation to ensure that the program would remain financially sustainable. A major source of funding for A.B.L.E. is derived from the proceeds of the A.B.L.E. golf tournament, held each year at Ma Cal Grove Country Club. The event raises roughly $9000 annually, and the money is used to support facets of A.B.L.E. that donít receive funding from government medical assistance.

This yearís tournament is scheduled for September 28. Tickets are available at Ma Cal Grove Country Club and the A.B.L.E. office. Prices are $25 for golf and steak dinner, $15 for just golf, and $10 for just dinner.

ìItís strictly a fun tournament,î Don said.

ìAnd you donít have to be a good golfer,î Lavona added. ìIf you had to be I wouldnít be able to go!î

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