Walgreens Return Center Donates to OE Lakeside and Helps Individuals with Disabilities

Walgreens-Donates-to-OE-LakesideThe Walgreens Return Center has donated $22,818.54 to Opportunity Enterprises’ capital campaign to build OE Lakeside. Return Center representatives attended a check presentation at OE Lakeside on December 3.

Throughout the year, employees of the Return Center raise money through a variety of fundraising events, and then vote to determine which non-profit organization will receive their fundraising. In 2010, employees raised more than $11,000. Walgreens corporate office in Deerfield, Illinois, matched the donation for a total of nearly $23,000. The employees then voted, and chose to donate funds to the OE Lakeside capital campaign.

Once it reached Opportunity Enterprises, this donation was matched again by the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, for a total contribution to OE of more than $45,000.

Our employees were thrilled when they found out their money could be quadrupled at OE,” says Luci Brooks, HR Manager at the Walgreens Return Center. “They are very pleased that their fundraising efforts can have such a significant impact on their community.”

These funds will be used to support growth and development of Opportunity Enterprises’ Lakeside property.

Acquired in 2007, OE Lakeside, a 158-acre parcel of land and water on Lake Eliza, currently houses two day service programs – Enriching Possibilities and the Renewed Horizons Adult Day Center. Together, these programs serve just over 100 adults with disabilities each day.

Enriching Possibilities offers a variety of programs, designed to fit the needs of individuals with multiple or severe disabilities. Programs such as community integration, art enrichment, and life skills training are just some of the options available to clients in this program.

The Renewed Horizons Adult Day Center provides a comprehensive, structured environment to senior adults with developmental disabilities. Bingo, arts & crafts, and Wii games are just some of the activities clients participate in on a daily basis.

Opportunity Enterprises is a non-profit organization which creates sustainable life choices and opportunities for individuals with unique challenges and abilities, and currently serves over 1,000 adults and children with disabilities throughout Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.oppent.org.

Photo Caption: Luci Brooks, HR Manager at the Walgreens Return Center (second from left) presents a check to Opportunity Enterprises staff and clients, including (left to right) Corporate Relations Liaison Dave Collins, OE client Anice, President/CEO Bill Trowbridge, Development Coordinator Kacie Ensign, and OE client Elizabeth