08-21-2011-Sunday - Wise County Messenger

6A WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Sunday, August 21, 2011SUNSETDrought has grounded Fly Without WingsBy ERIKA PEDROZAThis summer’s dance withthe record temperaturesof 1980 has affected everyoutdoor activity — businessand recreational — in thearea.Fly Without Wings inSunset is not immune.The non-profit organizationthat provides horsetherapy for the physicallyand mentally handicappedand the emotionally abusedtemporarily closed its doorsthis month because of thesizzling temperatures.“Kids couldn’t take theheat,” founder and presidentJim Johnson said.“It’s 100 degrees by 10. Thetherapy wasn’t much therapywhen they were outthere in the heat like that.So we closed for a monthand intend to open back upby the first of September, ifit’s cool enough.”However, Johnson fearsthe facility may be shutdown permanently if theydon’t find a solution to anotherheat-related problem.“We need hay — roundbales, horse quality — ormoney for feed,” he said. “Weneed to feed our animals.We had a pasture donatedto us so we could take thehorses out to graze aboutthree days a week. But thatpasture is all dried up. Wehave absolutely no grassthere.”Consequently, the organizationseeks the generosityof donors to help feed theanimals used in therapy.“We just want to takecare of our horses,” Johnsonsaid. “That’s all we ask for,because without the horses,there is no program. If wecan’t feed the horses, we’llhave to shut down.”Mary Otto of Decatur isorganizing an effort to helpprovide some relief.The eight-month WiseCounty resident is collaboratingwith people of herAmish community in centralIllinois to bring a truckloadof hay by Tuesday.“A neighbor had asked meto bring in a load for (us to)use (to feed our animals),and I saw that (Fly WithoutWings) needed hay. So Istarted putting the wheelsinto action,” she said. “Ifpeople wanted to donatehay off this load, I’m hopingit’s not more than $8 a bale.They’re going for about $10at local feed stores.“(Johnson) is doing agood thing not only for thedisabled, but also for thecommunity as a whole,” shesaid. “I hope people step upto help the organizationout.”Those interested can callOtto at (217) 508-6837 oremail cabincove@hotmail.com.To donate to Fly WithoutWings directly, visit www.fly-withoutwings.org or call(940) 393-1161 or (940) 427-2404.Email Erika at epedroza@wcmessenger.com.WISE COUNTYMessenger photo by Brian KnoxCARD OF THANKS — First Baptist Church of Decatur MinisterKen May reads a thank you card from a family served by theDecatur Cares program at Tuesday’s wrap-up dinner.Caring for the kids ...Photo Courtesy of AppleContinued from page 2Aa week for 11 weeks,” saidAnna Nicholas, one of theprogram’s organizers. Themeals were distributed atthe Decatur school district’ssupport services building,next to Nicholas’ daycarefacility.While the money shouldeasily allow the program tocontinue in its current formnext summer, manyof the program’s organizersare lookingto build upon itssuccess.“Obviously, wewant to do thisagain next year, but thereare other things in other areasthat we can get into andcertainly share the bountythat we have,” Mayor JoeLambert told the group oforganizers and volunteersTuesday. “ ... We need to setout some goals and priorities.There is a lot of work tobe done, and you can makethis as big as you want tomake it. It’s a challenge,but one thing I’ve learnedabout Wise County is it’s avery generous bunch of peoplewho live here. You justmention something abouthelping a child, and peoplestart jumping on, and awayit goes.”Looking forward, Lambertmentioned the need toestablish a non-profit statusfor the program and designateofficers or a board ofdirectors. He said he hopedthe group could meet againthis week to begin planningfor the future.First Baptist ChurchMinister Ken May, who alsohelped organize DecaturCares, suggested trying tomake the program more ofa year-round opportunity inthe future.“Hopefully part of that visionis not just a summerprogram, but every weekendthat kids don’t have somethingto eat, we could be apart of that,” he suggested.Nicholas said there are alot of directions the programcan go in the future.“There are an unlimitedamount of things that couldbe done. I wouldn’t mind doinga hot meal,” she said.The final set ofmeals for the 2011Decatur Cares summerfood programwas distributedTuesday, and theprogram’s participantswere given an evaluationform. The results seemto confirm the program’s success.When asked how helpfulthe donated food was inmeal planning, respondentsgave it an average of 4.9 ona 1 to 5 scale, with 5 beingthe most positive response.The location was given a4.8, and the pick-up timewas also given a 4.8.But perhaps the most tellingsign of success were thecomments offered by thosewho had been helped.“Thank you very much.There are some weeks withoutthis food we would bewithout,” said one participant.“There are not words toexpress what you have donefor us. Thank you just seemsso little for all you havedone,” said another familyin a letter read by Mayat Tuesday night’s wrap-upmeeting.More information aboutthe program can be foundonline at DecaturCares.com.To read more from ourFeeding Wise series, visitFeedingWise.com online.Between June 1 and August 31, 2011,every time you swipe or swipe and sign using yourFirst Financial Bank VISA® Debit Card, your name isentered into our iSwipe, iSign, iWin giveaway!The more you use your Visa® Debit Card, the betteryour chances of winning. One iPad2 will beawarded each month during the contest, so startswipin’ and signin’ for your chance to say iWin!If you don’t have a First Financial Bank Visa® DebitCard, get in the game! Call or come by our customerservice department and say “iWantOne” today!Apple is not a participant in or a sponsor of this promotion. Certain restrictions may apply. Limited time offer.Go to www.ffin.com for contest rules, alternative entry methods and more information.