BAWAC Quarterly Newsletter
No images? Click here
Quarterly Newsletter APR - JUN 2023
Ken Schmidt, President circa 1973
Ken's Korner
BAWAC's 50th Anniversary Appreciation Dinner...what a grand event! We broke the attendance record for all of our dinners over the years as 265 people came to celebrate with us. I want to thank all of our guests, especially Jim Rohrer who drove in all the way from Florida to surprise me. Special thanks to those who sponsored tables, and staff who worked diligently to put it all together. Katie Churchman from Laughing Earth Flower Farm did a wonderful job on our floral centerpieces, and our longtime friends at St. Elizabeth Technical Education Center and Mc Hale's catering were gracious hosts and provided a genial dining experience for us all.
The tremendous outpouring of support for our award winners from Toyota NAPCK and Pee Wee's Place on behalf of the BAWAC clients they support in community jobs was the highlight of the evening. Nick Duwell and Tim Reese both spoke very highly of the honorees - well, Tim spoke highly of his employee while receiving the award we gave to him for providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. How fortunate are we, and those we serve, to have such wonderful relationships with businesses like these?
I thought our evening ended with an unexpected gift presented by Mr. Will Ziegler on behalf of the R.C. Durr Foundation; a large donation for our endowment fund in honor of BAWAC's 50 years of serving adults with disabilities. I may have been the most surprised of all by being the chosen recipient of the John Nienaber Spirit of Service Award. This award was named in honor of John, who was most instrumental in getting the community involved in creating meaningful vocation opportunities and training for people with disabilities. He was influential in persuading the then Comprehensive Care Center (NorthKey) to provide initial funds for the first three staff (of which I was one), to launch what became BAWAC services. Needless to say, I am honored to have my name on this award. Furthermore, I believe John would be proud to see what has evolved from what he helped establish 50 years ago.
This was just the beginning of a year long celebration for us. Among our traditional annual events, we will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony through the NKY Chamber to commemorate our 50 year incorporation date on May 17th. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Charity Golf Outing in June. Registrations and sponsorships are available now!
With sincere gratitude,
Welcome to the BAWAC family!
Meet MaKenna, the newest member of our CRS team! MaKenna joined us in February after graduating from NKU. She came to Northern Kentucky nine years ago by way of Waco, TX. She is a big fan of college football and is an avid reader. She loves spending time outdoors with her family and her dog. She finds joy in the kitchen, cooking and baking tasty treats for friends and family. We're so happy she chose us!
We've also welcomed several new client employees to our CRS program since the beginning of this year, and have even more new prospects! Some of our tenured clients are working toward or have achieved community employment as well!
Record breaking attendance at our Annual Appreciation Dinner!
BAWAC's first annual dinner since 2019 in our 50th anniversary year yielded the highest turnout we've ever had. 265 people were in attendance to help celebrate the service of our founder and President, Ken Schmidt, and give accolades to clients, staff, and community members for their personal achievements and professional contributions. Special thanks to McHale's Catering & Events, St. Elizabeth Technical Education Center, and Laughing Earth Flower Farm for helping us pull it all together. We are also grateful to Mr. Will Ziegler and the RC Durr foundation for their unexpected donation in honor of our 50th Anniversary.
We are very excited that our Community Activities have resumed. Recently clients enjoyed a trip to Big Bone Lick park to hike and visit the bison, and a bowling excursion at Sports of All Sorts. Click the links below to get a glimpse of their experience!
BAWAC Summer Events
Help kickoff our 50th Anniversary fundraising season at the 2023 BAWAC Annual Charity Golf Outing with host Lewis Johnson! Join us at Boone Links Golf & Event Center on Tuesday, June 13th, and take a swing and making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Space is limited - register now! Sponsorships available while they last!
For the 3rd year in a row we will be at the Florence Y'alls for a night of FUNdraising. Join us on Star Wars Night - Friday, July 7th - when the Y'alls take on the NY Boulders. Don't forget your 50/50 raffle tickets!
Share your love of BAWAC and show your support by wearing your favorite apparel!
Help support our vision of seeing potential beyond barriers.
Follow us on social media!
