By GREG HORTON
Enid News & Eagle 

Nonprofit 4RKids erecting new building while raising funds

 

April 28, 2019



ENID, Okla. (AP) — Tricia Mitchell, executive director of 4RKids, said the non-profit organization has decided to move forward with construction of its second building before all the funds in their $4.2 million capital campaign are raised.

"We believe we can begin the process before everything is collected," she said to the Enid News & Eagle. "If everything goes according to plan, we'll break ground sometime this year. Right now, we're at a point where we're waiting on plans from an engineering firm.

"We would never build without having the funds ready, but it is a three phase project, so we are looking at moving forward with a portion of the new building."

4RKids began in 2003 as a grassroots movement. Parents and teachers of special needs children and students hosted a "buddy walk" to raise funds and awareness in hopes the kids could secure employment after graduation.

In 2009, 4RKids obtained a contract with the state of Oklahoma through Developmental Disabilities Services Division to conduct job training. The first job under that new contract was 4RPups dog biscuits, an operation that could move from Autry Technology Center to the new facility upon completion.

"The second building would also house offices and an indoor, nine-hole mini-golf operation," Mitchell said. "The indoor mini-golf would give us a revenue stream year round; we can only operate the outdoor mini-golf seasonally."

Currently, 4RKids operates its offices, 2nd Story Gift Shop and Bookstore and a recently renovated mini-golf course.

In addition to work on an additional facility, 4RKids is gearing up for a new season of Miracle League Baseball, a national organization that makes "America's pastime" accessible to adults and children with disabilities.

"We are starting April 27," Mitchell said. "We have six teams in the league, and everyone is getting new uniforms this year!"

Mitchell said the league, which is a cooperative project with Enid AMBUCS, has approximately 80 players this year, with ages ranging from "5 to whenever."

"I have a couple of adults in their 60s," she said. "It's for anyone who wants to play but needs assistance. The season runs through June, and all the games are at ABC Park. Our partnership with AMBUCS has made possible several new renovations to ABC Park, in fact."

That partnership also will be on display soon at AMBUCS-sponsored events during the Hanor Smokin' Red Dirt Barbecue. The annual fundraiser includes the 4RKids-themed dance party, which is a 1920s "Feathers and Fedoras" party this year. Mitchell said she expects about 300 people for the dance and silent auction.

"It's only five bucks to get in, so we ask people to get some great barbecue and then come enjoy yourself at the dance," she said.

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Information from: Enid News & Eagle, http://www.enidnews.com

 

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