******IMMEDIATE NEEDS!!!*******

(SS) Single Mom with 12 year-old son who has severe autism and behavior issues...also has 9 year old daughter. Lives in an apartment with no phone and has no transportation. Current needs include a donated car (which we may have a lead on at this time) and a land-line telephone and answering machine to facilitate better communication between home and school. This is a wonderful family who is really struggling. Please check out the list below and consider donating items or money. We are tagging specific funds for this family, especially to get a telephone line set up as soon as possible. Note the code (SS) to ensure that your donation goes specifically to this family.

**Gift Cards to grocery stores or Walmart... Food is an immediate need!
*Telephone
*Answering Machine
*Large Trash can
*Queen Size Sheet Set
*Size 6 women's shoes for little girl
*Size 6 1/2 men's shoes for little boy
*Household supplies... laundry soap, cleaning supplies, laundry baskets, storage bins, small trash cans, etc.
*2 bath mats
*Dust Pan

How Do I Donate to The West Special Needs Fund?

Donating to the Fund is easy! You may bring specific needed items (see "Immediate Needs" entries) to The Arc of Douglas County at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court, Room 238, or call 785.749.0121 or 785.979.1436 to arrange for pick-up.
You may send a check or money order to:
The Arc of Douglas County
2518 Ridge Court Ste. 238
Lawrence, KS 66046

Red Lyon Queen's Float to donate to West Special Needs Fund

St. Patrick's Day is coming! This year's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is Saturday, March 17, 2007. The "Queens" of The Red Lyon Tavern are designing their annual float and general debauchery for St. Patrick's Day, this year, the theme they are going with is "Buffalo Gals"...Because we 'can-can'. In an effort to stay within the philanthropic spirit of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Red Lyon and the women of this group have voted to raise donations for The West Special Needs Fund. You may make a special contribution to the fund through any of the Queens, if you are lucky enough to know one, or directly at the Red Lyon Tavern. Please make clear that your donation is directed to The Queens' Float contributions to The West Special Needs Fund.
Your support of the efforts of The Red Lyon, The Queens, and especially the Fund are deeply appreciated!

What is the West Fund?

The West Fund is named after Arlyn West. He was a local Lawrence man who was the father of an adult with a developmental disability. Arlyn left a memorial to The Arc of Douglas County to benefit our Special Needs Fund, which has been traditionally used to help men, women, and children who have developmental disabilities with miscellaneous and emergency costs.

To access the West Special Needs Fund, please contact Barbara Bishop or Kalli Sanders at The Arc of Douglas County, 2518 Ridge Court Ste 238, Lawrence, KS 66046. 785.749.0121