Auglaize County Crippled Children and Adults, a longtime charitable organization, just surpassed the $1 million mark in giving back to county residents with special needs.
The non-profit organization, which was started in 1983, is designed to provide resources to special needs people in the county in three different forms. A United Way agency, the organization pays to send children and adults to summer camps geared toward their needs and abilities, provides summer speech clinics for students in need of speech therapy, and also provides individual assistance to help fulfill the unmet needs of residents with a medical condition. The only two requirements for those who receive help is they must be from Auglaize County and have a chronic medical condition.
ACCCA is a unique organization in that a vast majority of its funds go straight to those in need. In addition to funding provided through United Way, the charity receives much of its funding through donations from various service organizations and individuals throughout the county.
The 13-member organization is totally run by volunteers, and its members said they find the work to be rewarding in itself.
Those interested in requesting more information on ACCCA or inquiring for assistance should contact Becky Egbert at 419-738-3410. Anyone wishing to donate can send contributions to: ACCCA, P.O. Box 86, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 45895.
See Wednesday's paper for the full story.