Search for Adventure
Years ago, Horny Toad partnered with Search Developmental Center, a non-profit life-skills training group in Chicago that helps to change the lives of adults who have developmental disabilities. The partnership first gave rise to Planet Access Company (PAC), which provides training and work opportunities to this overlooked and underestimated population. Millions of Horny Toad items have been picked, packed and shipped with unmatched reliability and enthusiasm by the PAC work crew – cool huh?
Our next challenge was to answer this famous question, “What’s work without vacation?”
Enter: Search for Adventure (SFA), an adventure travel program that uses proceeds from PAC and a grant from Horny Toad to send Search residents and members of the PAC work crew on trips to get a taste of the outdoors. The cherry on top is that Horny Toad employees join the trips as volunteers. This last year we expanded the program so that employees from stores that carry Horny Toad can also participate.
One such employee, Sarah “Cowgirl” McDonald from Trail Creek Outfitters in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, wrote this letter after her trip to the Powderhorn Dude Ranch in Colorado. We think it’s pretty swell and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
To All Toads,
Getting to know Ed, Richard, Mark, Jim, Allie and Jen made the week. It’s hard to put into words how much fun we had. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so much!
We kept busy all week. We rafted down the Gunnison, rode horses, went 4-wheelin’, hiked, took a pontoon boat down the Black Canyon Gorge, square danced and played a few hands of blackjack. Those guys had the time of their lives, as did I.
I don’t know how to describe it other than to use Ed’s words. He’s an older guy who’s pretty quiet. He has difficulty seeing but he’s willing to try everything! He does a mean Elvis too! I was helping him walk back from horseback riding and he started laughing to himself. I asked, “What’s so funny Ed?” His response was, “I just can’t believe how blessed I am.”
That says it all for me. Thanks for making that happen for Ed, and for me. It’s a week we’ll never forget.
Sarah McDonald
Look good. Feel Good. Do Good.
