Elon Ellis Memorial Golf Tournament
This years Elon Ellis Memorial Golf Tournament was another record setter! We raised nearly $83,000 to increase access to our services.
Over two hundred people gathered Sunday, May 3rd, for a benefit auction and dinner at the Portland Golf Club to celebrate the launch of our new name, the Artz Center for Developmental Health, and to raise their paddles to support the children desperately need of our services, but whose families are underinsured or uninsured.
Jerry Cundari, development committee chair at the Artz Center and Paul Linneman, KXL commentator emceed the event, encouraging people to be generous in their support of the kids. Bill Farnum, co-chair of the golf tournament committee, captivated the audience as he told the deeply personal story of his daughter Ella who was diagnosed nearly three years ago with Rett syndrome. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Bill, a father of two, described his love for his beautiful daughter and the fear that he faces as this degenerative disorder takes over more and more of her body, mind and spirit. He shared this thoughts about her therapy and how the Center has become part of his family as he looks into a future full of challenges and unconditional love.
The following afternoon guests enjoyed playing in a round of golf at Portland Golf Club. Our tournament was a success with the course full of men, women, parents, aunts and grandparents showing their support of the children whose lives are forever changed by the treatment they receive at the Artz Center for Development Health.
“I personally gain so much by helping other families whose children have been diagnosed with developmental/behavioral issues. I am honored to help raise funds for those who are facing similar struggles as my family, but do not have the insurance coverage to afford the cost of consistent rehabilitative medical treatments. All parents need to understand how their children communicate and how to help find the spark of brilliance in them.” Bill Farnum said.
The Elon Ellis Memorial Golf Tournament is an annual event held in memory of a past Center board member, Elon Ellis, known as “Mr. Golf” throughout Portland. He was passionate about the Centers developmental and behavioral programs which help children diagnosed with conditions like ADHD, Rett syndrome, speech/language challenges and those with autism spectrum disorder. It is in his memory this event is held to help the children without access to our services because of a lack of insurance or inability to pay.
Thank you to our double eagle sponsors, Chinook Capital, Durham & Bates, First Independent Bank and PricewaterHouseCoopers.
Intensive Summer Literacy Program
Artz Center’s Intensive Summer Literacy Program
The Intensive Summer Literacy Program is a fun small group intervention to build literacy skills in children with language and/or learning disorders. We use motivating activities and reward children for their hard work and their success. This program is great for children who learn well in supported group settings.
Reading Fundamentals: For children entering 1st or 2nd grade. This program will strengthen your child’s skills in reading and reading comprehension, spelling, written language and phonological awareness.
The Language & Literacy Program also offers individual intervention throughout the year.