In This Issue:

In celebration of Disabilities Awareness Month, the Abbeville Opera House Board of Governors, their staff, and Opera House players have graciously agreed to present the March 11 special production of "The Boys Next Door" to be used as a benefit for the Emerald Center Foundation.

"The Boys Next Door" is a heart warming play involving special needs boys living in a group home situation. There is humor and tenderness with the numerous interactions of the loving staff as they seek to deal with the minute by minute situations that occur. This play will give you an appreciation for the dedicated staff that work with people with disabilities. You will come away with a better understanding of how these special people can contribute unquestioning love back to our society. They are indeed "special people" created by God for a "special" purpose.

As parents of a son with disabilities, we wanted to share with you how blessed we are to have had Shane in our lives. We also wanted to express how grateful we are for the wonderful services provided by Emerald Center.

When we adopted Shane at 5 ½ months, there seemed to be no known problems. As he got older we began to notice some developmental delays. As soon as we determined his disabilities through professional help, we began to seek the best possible care for him. Over the years we have been so grateful to many people who have opened their arms and hearts to our son – the Abbeville community, the School District, our church family at First Baptist, Emerald Center, and our family. All of you have opened doors for Shane and helped him reach his full potential.

Two and a half years ago, Shane desired to have some independence and moved to an Emerald Center group home in Due West. When he moved away from home, it was a very emotional time for us, but Shane has never been happier. He has his own "pad" as he calls it and with this change has come maturity and a great feeling of self-esteem. He earns his money and is learning to take responsibility for himself and his housemates. He is employed in the dining hall at Erskine College and does volunteer work for the Due West Retirement Center.

We have been blessed by Shane. He continues to be a ray of sunshine for those he is around for he only sees the good in people. He holds no grudges and has a special gift of reaching out to people during their time of sickness or death. He uses his money to buy cards and stamps to brighten the spirits of these people.

Shane has taught us what real love and devotion is all about. Everyday we have experiences that are meaningful and inspirational because he has shown us that we are all more alike than we are different.

Looking back over the past 32 years, we realize that God had a plan for Shane and for us. We were blessed with a natural born daughter in 1968 who was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. Dixie was with us just 4 ½ months. Ten months later God blessed us with another daughter, Sharon, who is married and has three beautiful children. She shares her love and compassion of people with special needs through her work as administrator of the home health program for the Abbeville Hospital.

We invite you to be a part of this special Emerald Center night in Abbeville. It begins with a buffet at 6:00 p.m. at the historic Belmont Inn and the play at The Opera House beginning at 8:00 p.m. After the play, you are invited to the Belmont for delicious desserts and coffee that are being donated by area businesses.

The proceeds from this benefit will be used by the Emerald Center Foundation to purchase special needs items such as adaptive equipment, wheelchairs, recreational equipment; supplies, clothing, food, therapies; summer camp; personal care items, provide activities such as swimming, bowling, holiday parties, Christmas gifts, field trips, and other social outings for individuals with disabilities in our five counties. All contributions made to the Foundation are tax deductible as provided for by law.

In closing, we wish to thank Felton Burton and the entire Emerald Center staff, the volunteers, the Foundation, and fellow board members for all they do to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. We thank the Opera House, the Belmont Inn and the numerous sponsors that will make this night a highlight of our lives!

May God bless you.

Sincerely,
 Edith & Jimmy Davis

Ticket Information
Tickets are $25.00 each and include dinner, the play and coffee/dessert after the play. Tickets can be purchased at Emerald Center in Greenwood, Saluda, and Ware Shoals, in Abbeville from Edith Davis, Johnel White, Scott White, and in Edgefield at Emerald Center’s Edgefield Residence at 1305 Hillcrest Drive

with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission.

A graduate of Lander University with a BS degree in Applied Psychology, Cooper holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. Angela and her son, Dustin, resides in Ninety Six.

Picture: From left - Program Coordinator Debra Gantt, Linda Barnett, Jeffery Wright, Phoebe Humphries, David Graham, and Sandy Schirmer.

March

Disabilities Awareness Month

April

1998 Accident Free!
Congratulations to:

• Bauer Residence (Due West)
• Stille Residence (Due West)
• Gordon St. Residence (Due West)
• Brannon St. Residence (Greenwood)

• Debbie Court (Greenwood)
• Edgefield SLP Apartments
• Ware Shoals SLP Apartments
• Ware Shoals II Residence

Information will also be available on this web site as it becomes available.