Join us in saying "YES!" to donating to Wendell Foster, "YES!" to being a Difference Maker, and "YES!" to celebrating 75 years of success!

On the first Thursday of each month, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce hosts "Rooster Booster" - a breakfast meeting open to all Chamber members. Traditionally, Wendell Foster sponsors Rooster Booster in March to help spread awareness about our organization, and the ways we continue to support those with disabilities.

This year, we were able to introduce our "75th Birthday Celebration" theme to the community with historical photos, delicious cupcakes by Becca Bakes, and a trivia game lead by our CEO using fun facts to educate those in attendance about Wendell Foster.

Peter Kline, founder of Marathons With Meaning, returned to Owensboro as the featured speaker for Rooster Booster. Peter spoke about making a difference in your community by giving away your time and talents - not because it is required of you, but because you want to. His inspirational speech received a standing ovation.

Thank you to Peter and his wife Michelle for traveling all the way from Bellevue, WA to speak to our Chamber of Commerce. We would also like to thank Aktion Club President, Gavin Basham, for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. This event would not have been possible without the enormous help provided by the Chamber team, who partnered with our Community Engagement Department to organize such a fun and heartwarming event. Wendell Foster is proud to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and we look forward to partnering with them in the future.

President Reagan's proclamation stated, "For many of these people with developmental disabilities there is now the prospect of a brighter future and greater opportunity...

...I encourage all Americans to join me in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential."

Model appropriate behavior. Work to become more accepting and inclusive, and encourage those around you to do the same.

Celebrate the everyday "YES!" moments of those with developmental disabilities.

Call and schedule a tour at Wendell Foster to learn more about what we do to serve those with disabilities in our community. Contact the Community Engagement Department at:

270-852-1458.

In an effort to share little-known parts of their history, we have created "Our Legacy" - a series of stories that will appear in our newsletters throughout the year. If you have a story about the Foster family that you would like to share, please contact Erin Lee in the Community Engagement Department at: [email protected].

James Wendell Foster was born in Glasgow, KY, and became "the man of the house" at eight years old when his father passed away. As the eldest child, he helped manage his father's grocery store, while also attending school and pumping oil wells. He recalled during an interview, "I was generally on the good side of the teachers, so I could - in between classes - I could run about half a mile, and take care of the oil power motors...and then run back to school and not miss any classes."

When the Great Depression hit, Wendell found himself out of work and without a high school degree, since he had thought it more important to take care of his mother and four siblings rather than continue his education. A restaurant owner named Bill McQuin took an interest in Wendell and asked him to help open a new restaurant in Owensboro. However, Wendell had no experience in the food industry. That didn't stop him though - he spent a couple of days training in McQuin's Glasgow restaurant, then moved to Owensboro and opened "The Come Back Restaurant" on Allen Street.

Eleven years, two restaurants, and one growing family later, Wendell was drafted into the army. Due to "physical trouble" and the fact that his daughter, Louise, had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Wendell was never sent overseas to fight during World War II. Instead, he was stationed as a cook wherever the army moved him and his family. However, much like when he met Bill McQuin, he was lacking in experience. He had never cooked for over 5,000 people at a time before, but with each new placement, Wendell worked hard and was eventually promoted to Mess Sergeant.

Much like in his younger days, Wendell was determined to fill his time learning and working to benefit his family. While stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia, he volunteered to work with a doctor at an orthopedic hospital in Richmond. He would cook for the soldiers at Fort Lee from 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM, then spend the rest of the day "training with the handicapped." It was during this time that Wendell and his wife, Edith, dreamed of opening a school for children with cerebral palsy. Though he had no medical background and very little education, he was determined to learn how to take care of people with disabilities so that he could help his daughter and others like her.

Eventually, Wendell and Edith would see their dream of a school fulfilled, but little did they know how it would grow into so much more. Who knew that a man with no doctorate, no certification - not even a high school diploma - would create an organization that would one day impact the lives of thousands, all because of his constant determination to create a better life for his family. We hope Wendell's story serves as a reminder to all our Difference Makers of what great things we can accomplish together at Wendell Foster through hard work and perseverance.

Thank you to the Daviess County Public Library for sharing the transcript of the interview between Wendell Foster and Henry Wilson. Subscribe to our newsletter for more stories from the "Legacy" series!

Our Vision is to be the premier provider of rehabilitative, community-based, and residential services.