Wreath sale at Penny Lane

“This year we wanted to add something different,” says Don Kimball, a Vocational Instructor at Queens Association for Supported Living.

This year a group of their clients will take charge of organizing and running the sale, something that will give them work experience.

In previous years they had mostly relied on calling a customer list.

Todd McGinnes, a client of Penny Lane, says they will also have a Facebook group up, and are finalizing a few other plans.

Helping McGinnes are Neil Luxton, Troy Schrader and Roxanne Weare.

This year they have also added more wreaths. Available are 14 and 16-inch wreaths for $12 and $15, over door arches at 36 and 48 inches for $16 and $20, and a specialty wreath for $30. All the wreaths are locally made from freshly cut fir.

Kimball says the funds raised help with the operating costs of the centre. The government pays for approximately 75 per cent of the total costs, while the centre must raise the rest. He adds the clients that are organizing the sale will get part of the profits.

Penny Lane is a day program facility for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, located in Milton. The facility also has a Community Based Employment Program. The stated goal is to secure meaningful work at competitive wages for their participants.

Part of the idea behind getting the clients to organize the wreath sale is to bring awareness to the community that this program exists.

This isn’t the first time their clients have organized a sale in-house. This past summer, Troy Schrader created pirate flags out of wood and sold them during Privateer Days, selling out by the end of the festival.

Wreaths can be ordered by calling Penny Lane at 354-2723. Pick ups are on Nov. 25 and Dec. 5 at the facility on 44 Pleasant Street.