Sustaining the Legacy: Changing lives for 65 years

By Kevin Cooper
Executive Director
ACCC Foundation

Kevin Cooper

Another school year recently started here at Anne Carlsen Center for Children. For the 65th time. This organization has literally been an instrument of God’s love for children with special needs and their families for generations. This wouldn’t be possible without the caring support of donors and volunteers.

If you ever wonder whether making a contribution to our organization has made a positive impact, please consider the following examples:

In early August former student Ben Anderson spoke at an event honoring Dr. Anne Carlsen in her hometown of Grantsburg, Wis. A beautiful interpretive panel, created by Richard Splitter, a former board member whose mother was a lifelong friend of Dr. Anne’s, was being dedicated there. Ben spoke of how his outlook on life had changed because of his time here. In January of this year, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Anderson to the State Rehabilitation Council. “Without Dr. Anne, I would not be able to do that,” he said.

Marilee Field, another former student once recalled the intimidation she felt in the long hallways at the Center. “Forty years have passed (since I attended ACCC). I have had to face a lot of long hallways. When it comes to those long hallways, we make it if we have a little help. The Anne Carlsen School gave us that helping hand. In some ways it was more like a helping push -always a gentle and loving push, but also a demanding and insistent push.”

Mary Smith, a 1966 graduate once said, “When I look back on my school experience, I realize there was a strong underlying sense of positive affirmation. We were taught in a thousand ways that our physical limitations should never prevent use from doing what we wanted to do. It was a great lesson. I could have easily wasted away my life but at Anne Carlsen I learned I had a lot to contribute and an exciting life ahead of me if I was willing to go for it.”

And more recently, Sarah Charley, whom you have been reading about in The Ambassador this year, expressed her gratitude for the life her daughter Hailey was fortunate to have and the help she was afforded in caring for Hailey’s every need. Sarah is just one of the many parents who passionately express that Anne Carlsen Center has helped their child do more than they ever envisioned.

Children’s lives have been changed forever for 65 years because of generous people who believe that everyone is a child of God, and that all deserve the chance to make the most of themselves, regardless of limitation. Thank you.