Hinsdale Rotarians Offer Holiday Cheer to People with Disabilities

Submitted by the Hinsdale Rotary Club and the Ray Graham Association. Photo by Michael James. Pictured left to right: Robert Parsons, president of Rotary Club of Hinsdale and Lorri Nagle, Chief Development Officer of Ray Graham Association.

Hinsdale, IL - Holiday cheer was in the air as members of the Hinsdale Rotary Club recently gathered at Ray Graham Association’s Hanson Center for a meeting and special holiday festivities.

The Club sponsored a holiday luncheon for adults with disabilities followed by craft-making and Christmas decorating.

During the event, Bob Parsons, Hinsdale Rotary Club President, presented Lorri Nagle, Chief Development Officer at Ray Graham Association, a check for $3,500 for the Hanson Center.

The funds were raised as part of the Club’s annual Rotary Run. The Hanson Center, located on 12 wooded acres in Burr Ridge, was donated to Ray Graham Association in the mid 1970’s by Anna Emery Hanson of Elmhurst. It was her dream to establish a “community place” where people with disabilities could enrich their lives through the enjoyment of recreation and cultural arts.

Today, the Hanson Center is not only a place where adults with disabilities learn daily living skills, participate in the local community, and enjoy recreational activities, but it’s a place where community members are welcomed.

“We often see parents and their children from the neighborhood on our playground or over at the barn looking at our animals and horses,” said Nagle. “Our community neighbors help keep Anna Hanson’s dream alive and we cherish their involvement with us.”

The Rotary Club of Hinsdale has become a great partner with RGA.

“The Club has been so generous to RGA, but most of all we’re grateful for the interaction and friendship they bring to the people we support,” shared Nagle. “Their friendship means the world to us.”

Ray Graham Association provides residential, educational, employment and family support services to nearly 2,000 people with disabilities in more than 35 locations throughout DuPage County.