This coming Monday, April 29th, will be the annual Chicken Noodle Dinner Fundraiser for the Children’s Dyslexia Center of East Central Illinois, which operates at 109 West North Street in Danville, on the first floor of the Masonic Temple building.
Chairman of the Board Alderman Mike Puhr and Director Julie Boersma recently joined Laura Williams on 1490 WDAN’s Community Connection. As Alderman Puhr reminded us, this special center was the creation of former Danville Mayor, the Late Bob Jones. And since he loved to cook, the chicken noodle dinner idea took off. To this day; they serve the chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and butter; and one of the desserts offered is Bob Jones’ special bread pudding.
This is the dyslexia center’s major fundraiser for an annual budget of $120,000. The students receive the educational services that are offered for free. But the tutors still need to be paid, as well as trained. Julie Boersma reminded everyone that dyslexia is a neurological learning disability that affects the ability to read, write, and spell; and is prevalent in both boys and girls. If not properly treated, there are dangers of underachieving or dropping out of school. So this after school program allows students to be seen twice a week; either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday.
AUDIO: We do individualized instruction, where we work with the child 50 minutes at a time, two times a week, so they are getting all of the focus.
As Mike Puhr explains, although the State of Illinois recognizes dyslexia, and requires action from school districts, there’s still the dreaded words “unfunded mandate” hanging around. Which leads to the importance of local centers like this.
AUDIO: The state did recognize dyslexia as a learning disability, and mandated that the school districts implement programs. But unfortunately, like any state mandate there’s no funding with it. So that’s where the importance of our center comes in, being able to provide that service free of charge to all the children we are able to serve.
They will be serving the chicken noodle dinners from 11 AM to 7 PM this coming Monday the 29th. It’s $12 per person, dine-in or carry out; with free delivery for any business that orders more than five dinners.
For more information on the Children’s Dyslexia Center of East Central Illinois call 217-446-9377.
To hear all of Laura Williams’ interview with Julie Boersma and Alderman Mike Puhr, please go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/the-community-connection/
