STEPPING STONES DONATE TO GRACE PLACE
Excitement abounded on the afternoon of November 27 as members of Stepping Stones began arriving at Gibby’s Lanes in New Richmond. Stepping Stones, a group of adults who are differently-abled, came for their usual bowling game bearing gifts which they purchased to donate to Grace Place. They gathered together to wrap their gifts, followed by a fun game of bowling.. Later in the afternoon, an employee of Grace Place stopped by to pick up their gifts to deliver to Grace Place.
For the past several years, the Stepping Stones group has purchased gifts to help others in need at Christmas time. In the past, Stepping Stones has adopted a family through the Secret Santa program, and in more recent years has donated needed items to the previous Pierce/St. Croix Humane Society. This year, the Stepping Stones purchased hats, mittens and tube socks to donate to Grace Place to assist people whom they serve.
Stepping Stones, in existence since
1986, is a St. Croix County member group of the St. Croix Valley Disability
Coalition, which receives partial funding from United Way St. Croix Valley.
Their current ongoing activities include a bi-monthly bowling program at
Gibby’s Lanes followed by a bowling tournament held in early summer.
Other activities include a formal dinner dance, weekend camp at Chetek,
previous trips to the State Capitol for disability awareness at the Capital
which has included visits with their state legislators, as well as a rally
to address issues affecting persons with disabilities. The "People
Can't Wait" Rally, which usually took place every two years at the Capital,
was replaced this year with Regional Rallies, one of which was hosted in
Eau Claire on May 11, 2007.