The Learning Disabilities Association will be able to thrive through the summer thanks to some very timely donations and community support.

Previously, the Association faced closure due to a lack of funding.

Donations came from the TELUS employees payday lottery fund in the amount of $3,000, as well as just over $1,200 from the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity.

“We are going to be able to do the summer tutoring. It’s an individualized program to meet the needs of each child,” said Janet deLaforest treasurer of the Learning Disabilities Association.

Because of the range of learning disabilities that are often seen, each tutoring program is designed to help each student and not a group. These programs are sometimes designed to help the students get a jump-start on the next year of schooling or can be a simple review program of what they just learned.

deLaforest said it’s been tough but that they are always on the look out for corporate sponsors or private donations.

The current donation dollars will also help with the programs that the Association will be offering in the fall.

Some of the fall programs include a speaker series to inform parents, caregivers and teachers of some of the learning disabilities they may encounter.

The hours of operation through the summer will remain as they are currently from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta – Red Deer Chapter, said they are looking for volunteers for their upcoming barbeque and car wash on July 16.

“We’re also looking for more board members and committee members so we can keep on top of everything including fundraising.”

deLaforest said the Association will also be applying for some grants at all government levels to help keep the doors open.

Like many other charities, the organization works hard at keeping donation dollars well maintained and used in the most effective manner possible.

“Donation dollars go towards the tutoring because it doesn’t pay for itself as well as keeping the resource library stocked.”

The resource library has information on all kinds of learning disabilities that children may be diagnosed with.

“When parents find out that their child has a learning disability they want to read about it, so they can come here to do that.”

For more information call 403-340-3885.

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com