In celebration of National Pay It Forward Day, the Bi-County Services Self-Advocates donated $5,000 to two of their favorite local nonprofits Friday morning, thanks to the generous support of the AWS Foundation.

Steve Ehrsam and Robert Wassil from Bi-County Services surprised representatives of “Feeding Tomorrow’s Future Today” with a $2,500 donation on Friday. From left: Wells County Extension Agent Bill Horan, BCS consumers Ehrsam and Wassil, 4-H Association representative Allie Alma, Backpack Program volunteer Morgan Estrada, and BCS Direct Support Professional Chris Thacker.

Steve Ehrsam, Robert Wassil and Matt Garber proudly presented $2,500 checks to Feeding Tomorrow’s Future Today as well as the Friends of Ouabache State Park.

BCS consumers selected the two groups from a list of several organizations they volunteer with, have benefited from, and who make a positive impact in Wells County.

Ehrsam and Wassil surprised the Friends of Ouabache State Park with a $2,500 donation on Friday. From left: Ouabache State Park Property Manager Jon Winne, Ehrsam, Wassil, BCS Direct Support Professional Chris Thacker and Ouabache State Park Office Manager Joni Cincotta. (Photos submitted)

The “Backpack Program,” as it’s known locally for sending bags of food home on the weekends with local at-risk schoolkids, holds a special place in consumers’ hearts. They help pack as well as deliver the food.

BCS consumers also benefit greatly from being able to enjoy nature at Ouabache State Park. Several consumers volunteered to help care for trails at the park last fall, while others regularly attend the park’s monthly Lunch and Learn Program.

BCS consumer Steve Ehrsam jokes around with Ouabache State Park Property Manager Jon Winne, who was thrilled to receive a $2,500 donation from BCS on Friday, April 26. He said the donation will buy enough hay to feed the bison all next winter.

Park Property Manager Jon Winne said he knew “there was a donation coming this morning, but that was considerably more than I was expecting.” He told the three men that their donation will buy “enough hay to feed the bison all next winter.”

“Bi-County Services has so often benefitted from the generosity of others,” said Patti Hays, AWS Foundation CEO. “The idea of celebrating Pay it Forward Day in this way is to allow those with disabilities to experience the joy and internal satisfaction that comes from giving to others.”

Pay it Forward Day was started in 2007 to show that a small act of kindness can make a big impact. AWS Foundation asked Self-Advocates to select nonprofits in their communities that have made an impact on their lives to make a donation.

Founded in 2007, AWS Foundation supports a wide range of organizations and service agencies in northeast Indiana, working to develop a community in which people with enduring intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities are engaged fully and meaningfully in all aspects of community life. For more information, visit awsfoundation.org. 

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