The 39th Annual Opportunity Village Benefit Walk on Sunday, May 4, 2008, raised approximately $75,400, making it the highest year ever. This brings the grand total of all money raised for North Iowans with disabilities to over $1,019,577 in the 39 years of the Walk.

All proceeds from this event support services to people with disabilities at Opportunity Village throughout North Iowa. This year's goal was $56,000. An estimated 275 walkers enjoyed a sunny but breezy day, choosing either a 10-mile or 3-mile route or the Village fitness trail.

Paul Hassman, New Hampton, took top honors once again for bringing in the most sponsorships, with $4,597. Hassman, 94, started walking in the event in 1989 and has had the highest amount of donations for 15 of those years. Hassman's sponsorships have totaled $61,448 since he started.

Dan Peterson, a Village staff member from Ventura, was named to the Benefit Walk Hall of Fame for his contributions as a walker over the years. Dan and his family have raised a total of $20,953 since 1987, as far back as Village Walk records go. However, Dan has been walking in the event since he started working at the Village in 1976.

Past recipients of the Hall of Fame award are Paul Hassman, New Hampton; Ken Wattier, Jane Iverson, Murley Severtson, Jim Ransom, and Dan and Diane Djuren, all of Clear Lake; Mary Mathews, Thompson; Marian Sanders Smith, Alden; Hazel and Ed Chuck, Mason City; Gary Mrosko, Faribault, MN; and Tammy Rodningen, Clear Lake.

Village staff boosted the Walk with a friendly competition between teams to see who could raise the most money. The traveling plaque for this honor went to a large team calling themselves "The Proclaimers," for raising a record total of $25,911.

Opportunity Village serves more than 500 individuals in North Iowa, providing training and support to help them live as independently as possible. The Walk is held every year on the first Sunday in May. Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the Walk.

Thanks for helping us make "millions" of changes in the lives of people with disabilities.

We're producing a new library of video images to show the many faces of Opportunity Village. The first segment is done, which includes a look at the day activities and work opportunities that take place at the Kinney-Lindstrom Center in Clear Lake. Additional filming will show the variety of living supports the Village provides in North Iowa.

Come on, let us give you a tour of the heart of the Village!

We also can mail a DVD of the movie on request. Please e-mail Michael Mahaffey with your name and address and number of copies you want.

Dr. Tom Pomeranz, a nationally recognized authority in the field of services to people with disabilities, had some great things to say about Opportunity Village on his last visit here in June 2007.

Find out what he had to say about how the Village stacks up against other agencies around the country.

Joele and Phyllis carry on a musical conversation using a talking drum in their Music Therapy session called "Vivace." More than 130 individuals participate in the Village's Music Therapy program every week.

Have you ever wondered what's the difference between a music class and a Music Therapy session? Find out more about this unique therapy that benefits the individuals we support.

39th Annual Benefit Walk - Sunday, May 4, 2008
Appreciation Day - Sunday, April 20, 2008

back to the top