Building Community with Donor Steve Belle
Being a donor at Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children means much more than financial contributions; it means making experiences possible for our students. And for donors like Steve Bell, supporting the School also means he can share experiences with students first-hand.
Steve’s generous donation of tickets to the National Aviary gave students the opportunity to spend a full day discovering and learning through the School’s Community Experiences program. Ten secondary students visited the Aviary over two days, enjoying the immersive learning experience, while Steve enjoyed a learning experience of his own. Attending the community outing with the students allowed him to share in their excitement and gain a greater understanding of how our students learn in real-world environments. “I enjoyed seeing the kids having fun and interacting with everything. Being at the Aviary with them made my day. It was great to meet the students that were there and sharing that experience together was really special.”As the sounds of birds echoed around them, wings fluttered overhead, and guides described each animal in detail, students listened closely and asked questions. They were fascinated with the sensory-rich environment around them, and some even had the chance to hand-feed the colorful Rainbow Lorikeets a cup of nectar right in their habitat. The visit was a true real-world learning experience for students in our Community Experiences program. Through community-based instruction, students work on their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals related to daily living skills, social interaction, and orientation and mobility. This part of the School’s curriculum offers a valuable opportunity to promote independence and community inclusion. Bringing lessons learned in the classroom and transferring those skills into real-world settings helps our students build confidence and gain independence as they prepare for life after graduation.
Hearing the varying calls of different birds, feeling the textures of feathers, and moving through a brand-new space with their classmates created a feeling of connection and belonging for our students. While exploring the Tropical Rainforest area, WPSBC student Darlene, was hesitant to get too close as birds flew overhead and roamed freely throughout the exhibit. The unfamiliar sounds and movement were a little overwhelming to her at first. But as time went on, things changed.
As volunteers were invited to participate in the Passport to Parks Immersive Bird Show, Darlene immediately raised her hand. She stood at the front of the audience, held out her arm, and calmly waited as a large bird flew over to her and landed on her arm. Her face lit up as everyone applauded. “I was nervous at first, but it was really cool. I’m glad I did it,” she said.
Steve’s presence was meaningful for our students as much as it was meaningful for him: “I just want to give the kids an opportunity to visit places that put a smile on their faces and make them happy.”
Contributions from our donors provide students with numerous learning opportunities where they can build independence, practice important skills, and try something new. But when donors like Steve can also participate with our students during outings like this one, the genuine interest and compassion for our students and our School truly builds the meaningful connections that make our donors, students, and team members a family.