An Elim Family Gives Back
November 17, 2013
Why do you give to Elim? We recently asked this question to Chris Lann, an Elim donor from Nebraska. We hope her answer reminds you of the life-changing importance of your partnership, too!
One year ago, our journey began. We were on a quest to find a new school for Zach, my nephew. We set out to find a good fit in a world where one size fits most but not all.
Guided, Elim appeared on our radar. Last fall semester, Zach (age 10) began attending Elim. We can attest to the velocity from which Zach climbed on board and set sail. Elim provided our family with a compass. Just as a navigator plots a course, Zach’s teacher, Ms. Sherry Riemersma-Luke, manages Zach’s goals, identifies Zach’s needs, and accentuates Zach’s strengths. Without Ms. Riemersma-Luke and Zach’s classroom staff, we’d be lost.
Guided, Elim appeared on our radar. Last fall semester, Zach (age 10) began attending Elim. We can attest to the velocity from which Zach climbed on board and set sail. Elim provided our family with a compass. Just as a navigator plots a course, Zach’s teacher, Ms. Sherry Riemersma-Luke, manages Zach’s goals, identifies Zach’s needs, and accentuates Zach’s strengths. Without Ms. Riemersma-Luke and Zach’s classroom staff, we’d be lost.
Zach’s personal growth into unchartered territories that we hadn’t even considered is exceeding our expectations and opening up new avenues to explore. In less than one year, proudly representing Elim, Zach earned two silver medals at the State of Illinois swimming competition for Special Olympics. Also, Zach biked along a path from Oakbrook to Brookfield Zoo with a fellow classmate and her dad. Whether we clock these events in seconds or measure them in miles, there are no boundaries.
At Elim, the results bellow out louder than a subtle request for donations. We hear enthusiasm in the voices of our family members who share in Zach’s accomplishments. We want to ensure that Ms. Riemersma-Luke and Elim’s caring, dedicated, and professional staff continue their mission in guiding students and their families just like us. We appreciate you. We look forward to this journey.
– letter by Chris Lann
If you want to support Zach and other individuals living with disbailities, stop by our giving page on Tuesday, December 3. Every online gift you make on that day will be doubled by The Coleman Foundation.
Non-discrimination Policy:
It is the Standard of Elim Christian Services to admit children and adults to agency services regardless of race, color, national and ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to agency service recipients. Elim Christian Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered policies. Read Full Disclosure.