Donors Support Inclusive Developmental Program at the Culver Family Learning Center

Thanks to a donation of an adaptive tricycle at the Culver Family Learning Center, one child – and others who may join classes in the future — will have more to smile about as they join other students in the program on the mini bike path on the Culver playground.

“To see how happy the children are and the joy and pride children experience as they master new skills and share their fun with friends, is a huge benefit,” said Ginny Shrode, special education teacher at the developmental pre-school class at Culver.
Erin Ramsey, director of early childhood education in the EVSC said, “Support from the community in providing materials like this helps to not only develop gross motor skills, but give all children an opportunity to participate.”

Three adaptive bicycles were donated to the program as part of Ivy Tech’s Public Safety Program’s annual bike giveaway which awards nearly 180 bicycles to children who successfully participate in summer programs sponsored by the EVSC and other community partners. Donations for the bikes were acquired through a variety of donors by the Ivy Tech Public Safety Bicycle Program and through funding from Move.Ment, an initiative of the Welborn Baptist Foundation, and from the Department of Health and Human Services. Donors for this year’s bike giveaway also include: Welborn Health Plans; Old National Insurance; Gerling Law; City of Evansville; Evansville Police Department; Evansville Fire Department; Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office; the School-Community Council; 21st Century Community Learning Centers; the Evansville Bicycle Club; City of Evansville’s Department of Parks and Recreation; Teamsters 215; Fraternal Order of Police; 911 Gives Hope; Two Men and a Truck; Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders; and Evansville Federal Credit Union.

“I am gratified to know that we were able to make a difference in a young person’s life and afford him, and others the opportunity to enjoy quality time with classmates,” said Chris Kiefer, EVSC School Board member and department chair of public safety and the criminal justice program at Ivy Tech Community College.