Community improves school for the deaf

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Nearly a year ago, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf Regional Development Committee had a goal. They wanted ENCSD to feel more like a home than an institution.

When the Wilson community got wind of what the group wanted to do for its students, they decided to help. And one of those projects was completed recently and dedicated on Monday. The Lion’s Luncheon and Evening Clubs gave the school’s game room, which is inside the Massey Center on campus, a full makeover. What was once a bleak game room for the students is now vibrant and cozy. Artwork and photographs of the students now hang on the walls. Kites are suspended from the ceiling. Beanbags and other furniture make it comfortable for the students.

Several Lion’s Club members went out and toured the areas the school wanted to update.

"We decided upon the game room,” said Nancy Craft, Lion’s Luncheon Club secretary. "We asked what they wanted in the room, their wish list. We didn’t have deep pockets as our budget had already been set for the year. But we knew we could come up with some ideas, some creativity and we knew we had lots of heart to put into it.”

The Luncheon Club partnered with the Evening Club to make it possible. For nearly five months, they planned, brainstormed, shopped, created, decorated and painted.

On Monday, the game room was dedicated to the Lions’ Clubs. They received plaques of thanks from the school, which will be hung inside the game room as well.

But the big surprise brought many smiles to the club’s members on Monday. ENCSD named the game room after them calling it, "The Lion’s Den.”

Craft said in addition to club members, they had two anonymous donors who bought beanbags and contributed money for them to buy stools from Hardee’s Furniture.

Beth and Jim Boykin, who own the Framer’s Alley in Elm City, also chipped in and framed and matted ENCSD students’ artwork that now hangs on the game room walls.

"That gift brought the room to life and enabled us to pull our project together,” Craft said. "We were so grateful to all who helped to make this project a success for these students.”

ENCSD teachers also helped. Craft said the clubs couldn’t have done it without help from everyone.

Gary Farmer, Wilson County school board member and advocate for the school, launched the idea to the ENCSD Regional Development Committee last year. Farmer, also a Lion’s Luncheon Club member, proposed the idea to the club. The Lion’s Club has had a strong relationship with ENCSD for decades.

"Of course with our club’s decades-long connection with ENCSD and what we all had just fought so hard for in keeping that school open — the meetings, the town hall gatherings, the letters to our elected officials — of course we were on board,” Craft said.

When the school faced possible closure last year in state budget cuts, the community rallied around ENCSD and fought for its future in Wilson.



OTHER PROJECTS

Several other organizations and businesses have also taken part in revamping areas at ENCSD.

Carter Bearden, ENCSD’s executive administrative officer, said it has been wonderful having groups take on projects throughout the school.

"We just haven’t had the funds to de-institutionalize our facility,” he said. "These groups have really stepped up to the plate to make it home-like.”

Bearden said BB&T contributed funds to create a hand-made gazebo, which students are constructing themselves along with their teacher. BB&T will also be funding the low-ropes course tucked in the woods across the street from the school. The ropes course was once a place used by not only students but others as well. But throughout the years, the school lacked funding to keep the ropes course up. BB&T will also contribute funding that will go toward training facilitators for the course, which is a safety measure for those who participate.

"They are going to make it possible,” Bearden said about BB&T. "It hasn’t been used in 15 years. We want to open it up to the community as well.”

In recent months, Farmington Heights Church and Peace Church as well as Wilson Community Christian School, B.U.D.’S Foundation and the Men’s Civic Club have done various projects at the school. Those projects include painting many rooms and exterior parts of the school’s building. The State Board of Psychologist has bought furniture and the Rotary Club is in line to help with any needs the school may have.

Bearden said it has been overwhelming with how much the community has responded to their needs.

"They keep giving,” he said. "They give of themselves in so many ways. Wilson is the community that welcomes and loves us for who we are.”

He said each organization that has helped them comes out and gives from their heart. He said ‘thank you’ couldn’t be said enough.

"How else can we express all that the community of Wilson and what all the groups have done,” he said.

Bearden said the community’s commitment also says something else.

"I want to step into your world and make your place better,” he said.



‘THEY DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE’

While there aren’t enough words to express the gratitude ENCSD has toward the community, Bearden said these projects have truly changed the lives of its students. When children gathered around on Monday to see the unveiling of the new game room, they were surprised.

Bearden said the students placed their middle finger and thumb together, bringing it close to their chests with an upward motion as they signed a particular word — "like.”

He said they continued to do it over and over again.

"They were all over the place,” he said. "They didn’t want to leave. They’re home. All you could see were their faces lighting up. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Also on Monday, the Lion’s Club held its annual picnic for ENCSD staff and students. The event was filled with fun, food and activities.

"This project was another opportunity for us to contribute to the school and students that we long have believed in and held close to our hearts,” Craft said about the refurbished game room project. "Our Lions motto is we serve and we couldn’t have chosen a better place to focus our efforts this year and make a difference than for these students than at ENCSD.”

Want to help or take on a small project at ENCSD? Contact the school at 237-2450.

Community improves school for the deaf - WilsonTimes.com