Stepping Stones group gives back

Stepping Stones, a group of differently-abled adults from the St. Croix County area, participates in ongoing recreation and leisure opportunities. One of these activities is a bowling league that meets twice monthly at Gibby’s Lanes in New Richmond.

This league has between 30 to 45 people bowling on any given afternoon, with the assistance of six to eight volunteer helpers. The cost is minimal at $1.50 per game, and offers a social time as well as a little exercise for the participants.

Each year during the Christmas holiday season, the bowlers choose a local charity to support. In 2011, the group decided to donate the proceeds from one bowling meeting, which is approximately $100, and divide it fours ways. The organizations selected to receive these donations included: Grace Place of Somerset, St. Croix Animal Friends of Hudson, Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County, and Home for Life Animal Sanctuary of Star Prairie.

Stepping Stones, in existence since 1986, is one of the member groups under the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition. The coalition focuses on disability-related issues such as: accessibility, education, community employment, community integration, and individual/systems advocacy. The coalition is a recipient of funds for specific activities through United Way St. Croix Valley.

More information about the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition can be found on their website at www.scvdc.org.

Anyone interested in getting involved with Stepping Stones or finding out more information may contact Traci Bauer at 715-832-1782 or by email at ucp1traci@sbcglobal.net.

Tags: new richmond, communities, health, vitality