Exploring culture, fostering community

12/28/05

By MORGAN GREEN
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

City's adaptive excursions rely on PARC funding

The hazy light gave a surreal glow to the section of the Berlin Wall at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library the day Bonnie Elliott visited the Simi Valley attraction.

The magical moment holds a place in her memory. "It was history, and the light made it special," said Ms. Elliott, who joined a city-sponsored excursion for residents with disabilities. A wheelchair-user for the past 10 years because of advanced arthritis, she sees the power chair that she drives with one hand as "just a part of my life. Not every person is supposed to walk in this world, and that's OK."

She strives to keep her horizons wide and her community connections strong, and praises the Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department's adaptive recreation program for helping her.

"I can go to places I could never go to on my own," she said. "The outings are cost-effective, you go with nice people, they're well-run, and you have assistance if you need it."

Because of limited city funds, the program relies on grants from the nonprofit Parks and Recreation Community Foundation, which was chosen to benefit from the News-Press Holiday Fund.

Besides awarding grants for the outings, the foundation is spread among myriad services, including financial aid for needy children to attend day camps. It provides accounting expertise and nonprofit tax assistance for the asking to all kinds of Santa Barbara recreation groups serving tots, teens and seniors.

The foundation helps the city buy and maintain parkland and recreation facilities, such as Skater's Point skateboard park at Chase Palm Park and the Douglas Family Preserve, where pets play off-leash on bluffs above the sea.

Ms. Elliott is keeping her fingers crossed in the hope that the outings she looks forward to can continue. They have been so enriching, she said, recalling an excursion to the world-renowned Huntington gardens and art collection in San Marino to view famous paintings and meander down paths alive with bamboo, cactus and jungle flowers.

"I was surprised how easily we could get around," she said. "I got to go in my power chair, so I didn't have to rely on somebody to push me."

Another favorite was the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, with paintings by Monet, Degas, van Gogh and many others, and statues by Rodin.

"It was just all overwhelming. It was awesome," said Ms. Elliott. "Even if I were on crutches I could never go on my own; I wouldn't have the energy."

Closer to home, the adaptive program has taken participants to Solvang and to ethnic festivals at Oak Park. At other times, it's simply brought folks with disabilities together for dinner and a movie, or to talk over issues they all face.

"It's a wonderful way to network," said Ms. Elliott. Besides, she said, "it's good for (people with disabilities) to be out in our community, to be seen, living with everybody else."

e-mail: mgreen@newspress.com

News-Press Holiday Fund

The News-Press Holiday Fund was established in 1949 by former News-Press owner Thomas Storke, who was shocked at the cost of a wheelchair after he broke his leg. Since then, the fund has brought in more than $2 million in donations.

On Nov. 12, the News-Press Lifetime Achievement Award dinner kicked off the drive, which runs through New Year's. Four award winners were honored: Kate Firestone, Dr. Stephen Hosea, Paul Orfalea and Richard Welch.

Also announced were this year's fund recipients: The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Parks & Recreation Community Foundation (PARC).

All of the money raised goes to the charities. Throughout the drive, the News-Press periodically publishes the names of donors. Contributions may be mailed to: News-Press Holiday Fund, P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102.

STEVE MALONE / NEWS-PRESS PHOTO

Bonnie Elliott loves visiting far-flung museums, art collections and gardens thanks to city-sponsored outings funded by the PARC Foundation.