Log Cabin Democrat Style:Friends gather to support Independent Living Services 5/4/98

Published Monday, May 04, 1998

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Monday, May 4, 1998Friends gather to support Independent Living Services

Last modified at 11:33 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 1998

Friends and supporters of Independent Living Services Inc. gathered April 17 for "A Celebration of Hope, Heart and Honor" at Conway Country Club. The silent/live auction was sponsored by the Foundation for Independent Living.

About 140 people attended. Betty Ward played the piano during the silent auction/cocktail hour, which was held prior to a buffet dinner.

During the meal a video was shown of Peggy Schneider, executive director of ILS.

Tribute was paid to Mrs. Schneider by three speakers, including:

Vesta Knopp, who has known Mrs. Schneider all her life, lives in Scotland (Van Buren County) and knows Mrs. Schneider's family. She also worked at ILS as the first group home manager for Reynolds House. Mrs. Knopp delighted the attendees with light-hearted stories of Mrs. Schneider's early antics at ILS.

Dr. N. D. Patterson who, along with his wife Mac'ie have been loyal supporters of Mrs. Schneider and her work from the beginning. He provided a bit of ILS history and an overview of the work Mrs. Schneider has done at the local, state and national levels for people with developmental disabilities. (Patterson House, a group home for women, was named in honor of Mrs. Patterson.)

Mrs. Schneider's husband, Jim Schneider, entertained the audience with stories about the people at ILS who have been a part of Mrs. Schneider's life for many years. His stories were filled with humor, and he kept everyone laughing. He told one story about the year Mrs. Schneider decided ILS should have a softball team. He said both residents and staff joined and were not very good at all. They couldn't hit. They couldn't catch. They couldn't run, and they couldn't pitch, but what a sight to see Mrs. Schneider playing softball when her idea of exercise is removing the wrapper of a chocolate candy bar. After he closed, Mrs. Schneider told the group that her husband had failed to mention one detail in that story -- he was the coach.

The closing of the tribute was a song about Mrs. Schneider written and sung by Julie Hester, sister-in-law of the fund-raising committee chairman, Nancy Williams.

The entertainment did not stop with the tribute to Mrs. Schneider. Afterwards, five local "celebrities" auctioned five live auction packages, and added their own brand of comedy and creativity. It was decided that all five auctioneers could be stand-up comedians. They were Bob Meriwether, Sheila Whitmore, state Sen. Stanley Russ, Woody Cummins and Bill Johnson.

The Foundation for Independent Living supports services for people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and other developmental disabilities.

The Independent Living Services board president is Thomas Smith and the Creative Living board president is Artie Jones.

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