Most people’s Fourth of July plans involve picnics and fireworks. Ken DeVries’ involve a facility for physically and mentally disabled adults, nearly 40 rock, blues and jazz bands, and $10,000.
DeVries hopes to raise that sum with a three-day benefit for the Garden Center for the Handicapped, in Burbank, which will be held at his bar, Champs Overtime, also located in the south suburban town.
The Garden Center provides vocational and independent living skills training, transportation, residential placement, and social services to more than 60 developmentally disabled adults in the southern suburbs and Chicago. More than 100 people take part in the center’s special recreation programs, and it currently houses 25 people in two residential facilities.
Fundraiser proceeds will go towards the $40,000 to $50,000 the center needs for a down payment on a building that would allow it to expand its housing program.
“We have a number of people who are in need of housing or will be in a short time,” says executive director Joe Westbrook. “If an emergency happened in the family to the only caregiver that’s left, they’d have no place to go.”
The benefit includes continuous music, a barbecue lunch and a raffle with a $500 grand prize. All of the bands are performing for free. The lineup of local acts ranges from the acoustic Native American group Raven to Slayer tribute band Divine Intervention.
DeVries says he never thought much about the Garden Center until a few years ago, when he was doing construction work on a building down the street.
Eventually, he decided to do something to help the Garden Center’s efforts to teach its participants “to cope with life and enrich their life a little bit. I’m going to make it an annual thing and I hope I’m successful,” DeVries vows.
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The benefit for the Garden Center for the Handicapped will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Champs, 5728 W. 87th St., Burbank. Music starts at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 708-499-4140 for more information.
