Page 41 - Abilene Living

producing, labeling, and packaging these products.

“They work in shifts. They’ll work an hour and a half and then we’ll switch out. They’ll have activities going on in the activities center for the others not working,” Wilson said. “They are paid minimum wage for the hours they work but the family sets how much we hand them each week. They are so proud on Thursdays when they get their money and then the rest of what they earn goes into an account.”

The program offers a chance for participants to live and work alongside others with disabilities and many have even taken what they have learned out into the workforce at places like Goodwill and the Christian Service Center. Though DRI has many fundraising events throughout the year to cover the cost difference, thanks to the donation from the Outlaws and Legends Festival this year, they will be able to continue and grow their program even more.

“We donated $31,810 to DRI,” Darby reported. “They will continue to be the recipient for this event. We’re looking to do even more shows and events in Abilene...We're about to start up contacting business for sponsorship over the next few months…We're redoing our sponsor package to include more advertising perks and more media perks.”

The partnership of the Outlaws and Legends Festival and DRI has proved to be a successful one. It celebrates not only Texas independence, but also a local group that stresses that dependence on others due to disabilities does not prevent someone from learning, functioning and working in today’s world. DRI’s program is a perfect ft as a benefciary of the event, as their daily successes exemplify the very Lone Star state of mind this festival seeks to honor.  ALM