It was a wonderful morning at March 2nd's Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster Breakfast, sponsored by Wendell Foster! We kicked off the morning by introducing our Steps Division, the newest addition to the Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K, a new and exciting way for people with disabilities to participate in our race. Our Steps Ambassadors took their first steps towards achieving their goal of completing a half marathon and Rooster Booster attendees joined in on the fun! Rooster Booster emcee, Chad Benefield, even stripped down to his running attire to make a lap around the room with Harrison, one of our Steps Ambassadors.

Our guest speakers, Stephen and Elizabeth Wampler, shared their unique story and positive perspective on disability awareness in light of National Disability Awareness Month. Stephen and Elizabeth are the founders of the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation and Camp Wamp, a summer camp for children with physical disabilities. Steve was inspired to start his own summer camp after his own childhood experience at camp changed his life. Never letting his disability stand in his way, he became the first person with cerebral palsy to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a vertical slab of rock twice the height of the Empire State Building.

Steve and Elizabeth challenged Rooster Booster attendees to examine their comfortability level regarding disability, and encouraged them to build relationships with people with disabilities. “Ask questions, be brave, be curious, go out on a limb. The power is in love and compassion. And if that’s not what we need, I don’t know what is," said Steve and Elizabeth. Their message was so inspiring and challenged all of us to change our thinking on disability!

We are so proud to introduce a new division to the Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K! The Steps Division, sponsored by Boardwalk Pipelines, is a new and exciting way for people with disabilities to complete the Half Marathon or 5K.

The Steps Division aims to make racing more accessible for people with disabilities. Participants in our Steps Division will have the opportunity to complete either distance over the course of a year. Recording their steps leading up to race day, participants will take their final steps across the finish line alongside our dedicated runners and be medaled for their great accomplishment. 🏅

Whether you are sprinting, strolling, or stepping, this is YOUR race. We’re taking those steps across the finish line together. Join us on March 23, 2024, as we honor National Disability Awareness Month and empower people with disabilities.

After a fire destroyed First Christian Church's building, the congregation was inspired to support the friends, neighbors, and community members who helped them overcome one of their most difficult times. Upon rebuilding and returning to their original location at 700 J.R. Miller Blvd, the church established the Legacy Fund, a way to give back to the community and serve others. Wendell Foster is blessed and humbled to announce that we are the recipient of $5,000 from First Christian's Legacy Fund! These funds will be used to continue renovations on our Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), also known as the Cottages. 63 people who call Wendell Foster home live in the ICF.

Just like any other home, after a number of years the Cottages were in need of some TLC. The ICF was state-of-the-art when it was built in 2002, but in 2023 we were ready to make some improvements! Renovations began earlier this year and include updates to bedrooms and bathrooms. Bedrooms will receive new laminate flooring and a coat of fresh paint, and bathrooms will be fitted with new vanities and slip-resistant flooring.

This year’s Owensboro Burger Week was one for the books! 🍔 Wendell Foster residents, Bryant and Brandon, were invited to be judges this year and had a blast. Wendell Foster residents love joining in on community events like this one and were honored to be asked to participate.

Bryant was able to be a part of day one judging. Bryant thinks of himself as a foodie, so this was right up his alley. As a Texan, he lives by the motto "Go big or go home," and feels that this year's contestants did just that! 👍 P.S. Peep his awesome shirt! 👀

Brandon took part in day two of judging. 👨‍⚖️ ⚖️ He was excited for the opportunity, but was a bit of a tougher critic. He said some burgers were better than others. When asked if he had some delicious options to taste and if there may be a winner in the group, Brandon said “Some were either or.”

Thank you to Visit Owensboro for giving our residents the opportunity to judge this year! This was an experience Bryant and Brandon will never forget.

Earlier this month, Wendell Foster hosted its first yard sale of the year. Despite the weather, we had a fantastic turnout and raised a record-breaking total of $3,266.24.

Wendell Foster's bi-yearly yard sale raises proceeds for the Wendell Foster Christmas Fund. The Christmas Fund ensures that every one of our residents receives a few gifts during Christmas.

Thank you to all those who helped plan and execute and to anyone who donated or purchased items! Stay tuned in the coming months for information on our fall yard sale!