Cardinal Services Self-Advocates Donate $5,000
News Release
WARSAW — Self-Advocates from Cardinal Services, with the support of a grant from AWS Foundation, presented $5,000 in donations to other area nonprofits today in celebration of Pay it Forward Day on April 28.
Self-Advocates are people with disabilities who work to make their communities more inclusive and accessible. With the grant from AWS Foundation, members met to discuss those organizations (apart from Cardinal) that make a difference in their lives. Each organization chosen by the group is a champion of inclusivity in the community.
The Cardinal Services Self-Advocates were proud to present a $1,250 award to each of the following organizations:
- Kosciusko Community Senior Services
- Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts
- The Magical Meadows
- Animal Welfare League
Cardinal Executive Director Vickie Lootens applauded AWS Foundation for empowering Self-Advocates to make the gifts. “Like everyone else, the people we serve want to give back, and we are grateful to AWS for giving them a tangible and meaningful way to that.”
Pay it Forward Day was started in 2007 to show that a small act of kindness can have a big impact. AWS Foundation tasked Self-Advocates with selecting nonprofits in their communities that have had an impact on their lives and to donate to them. Self-Advocates nominated local nonprofits who they volunteer with, who provide services to them, and who make a positive impact in Kosciusko County.
“Cardinal Services has so often benefitted from the generosity of others,” says Patti Hays, AWS Foundation CEO. “The idea of celebrating Pay it Forward Day in this way is to allow those with disabilities to experience the joy and internal satisfaction that comes from giving to others.”