Author Archives: Jacob Dreyer

Paige Davidson (far right) with her brother Wade (far left), mother Trudy (middle left) and father Marty (middle right)

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) speech aide and work skills supervisor Paige Davidson and her brother Wade hosted the 3rd Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show in Oskaloosa in May, donating the profits from the event to COC in honor of their late father.

Marty Davidson passed away on May 15, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

“It’s really hard,” said Paige. “[Marty] was our best friend. He never wanted from anybody; he never asked anything of anyone. He was a great guy and a great person.”

The following weekend, Wade honored his father by hosting a Marty Davidson Memorial Ride. More than 500 people turned out to pay their respects, resulting in the yearly celebration of Marty’s “love for two wheels.”

“My dad was very passionate about bikes,” Wade said. “We enjoyed going to bike events and bike shows together. The first year, we had more than 300 bikes and 400 people and it’s still growing. It’s been really good.”

Bikers may enter their bikes into one of five categories based on its style. Sponsors provide giveaways, while category trophies are handmade by Wade and his friends. Winners are selected by a committee.

Several businesses support the show financially, making it possible for the family to donate profits from the event to a cause of their choice.

In 2013, the event supported an Oskaloosa teenager who suffered a broken neck in an ATV accident. In 2014, a donation was made to a small veterinary clinic because of Marty’s love for animals (especially dogs).

This year, the family donated the event’s profits to COC, where Paige has worked for the past 14 years.

“I love working at COC,” said Paige. “The people supported are like my family. I love helping people; it’s something I’ve always done and it’s something I’m very passionate about.”

And while Wade owns three motorcycles, Paige is working towards the purchase of her first bike for next year’s event.

“That would blow my dad away,” Paige said. “I feel the most free when I’m riding, remembering all of the times we rode together.”

For more information and updates about the Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show “Like” the event on Facebook.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential, vocational and spiritual supports and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Dallas, Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook.

Rayla Wilson (right) and COC Executive Director Rod Braun (left) at Wednesday’s Pella Christian High School’s Awards Night

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) has selected Pella Christian High School’s Rayla Wilson as the 2015 Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Named in honor of the late daughter of COC Executive Director Rod Braun and his wife Robin and made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, the $1,000 scholarship is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services.

Wilson plans to major in elementary education with a minor in special education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul beginning in the fall of 2015.

Criteria for the scholarship include academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal character and personality. Applications for the scholarship are accepted from all COC service areas.

Daughter of Neil and Angela, Wilson is a Presidential Scholar at Pella Christian, achieving honor roll recognition each semester during her high school career. She also received four superior ratings in flute ensembles.

A Pella native and member of Federated Fellowship Church, Wilson is employed at Jaarsma Bakery and volunteers at The Mango Tree, a ministry of Many Hands for Haiti.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit www.christianopportunity.org.

Sharon Byers (pictured) was recognized for her 40 years of service during January’s COC Leadership Team meeting

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) living skills advisor Sharon Byers recently celebrated 40 years of service with the organization, the first employee to reach the milestone.

After volunteering at COC in just its fifth year as a school program, Byers was hired as the first workshop supervisor on Sept. 7, 1974. Byers served in that capacity for 37 years before transferring to her current position in Pella’s life skills program.

“I volunteered at COC because I wanted to be part of an organization that was known for helping people who needed support and encouragement,” Byers said. “I have stayed at COC because I have a Christian love for the people I serve. It is fulfilling to see them gain self-confidence and connect with others, all while finding and holding community jobs.”

Byers has many cherished memories in her 40 years with COC, but one is held in high regard.

In May of 1985, Gary and Matilda Vermeer financed a trip to Florida for 49 people served and 11 staff members. The trip was complete with visits to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center and Sea World.

Byers, who spent three months helping plan the vacation, was one of the staff members on the trip. Her treasured memory is not only the trip itself, but also hearing about the joy it brought one of the persons served.

“I visited a person I served in the nursing home before he passed away,” Byers said. “Before Florida, he had never been on a vacation, let alone outside the state of Iowa. He told me the Disney World trip was the best time of his life.”

COC Executive Director Rod Braun said Byers’ time has impacted many lives.

“Forty years of service is a significant milestone and we congratulate Sharon for her dedicated service to the mission of COC,” Braun said. “She has been a blessing to hundreds of people with disabilities and to her many co-workers.”

And if you are considering working at COC, Byers would encourage you to apply.

“If you are looking for a job that will make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and will also make a difference in your life, you will get that and more at COC,” said Byers.

Byers’ service accomplishment was recognized with a reception and time of fellowship at COC’s Leadership Team’s bi-monthly meeting in January.

Founded in 1969, COC continues to provide opportunities for more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.

Congressman Dave Loebsack (far right) in a dialogue with COC staff and family members of people served by COC

Only two weeks before the Nov. 4 general election, United States Congressman Dave Loebsack visited Pella’s Christian Opportunity Center on Tuesday for a guided tour of the facilities and a discussion of issues.

COC Executive Director Rod Braun opened the sharing with a brief history of COC and updated Congressman Loebsack on COC’s current services.

Regional Director Jodi Tukker and Vocational Manager Christian Ray provided the congressman with a tour of COC’s Pella Plant and discussed the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2013 and the benefits of sheltered employment.

Following the plant tour, Regional Director Mickey Edwards provided a tour of the East Broadway home and discussed new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations on community integration for Medicaid waiver homes and COC’s current community integration efforts.

The reception concluded with a dialogue between Congressman Loebsack and Human Resources Director Angela DeCook in regards to COC’s challenges with staff recruitment and retention and to provide competitive compensation to direct support professionals.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.

Group photo in Bill’s workshop (front row, left to right: Doris Van Roekel, Carolyn Craver, Missy Laverman, Rebecca Benge, Jane Rourke, Colleen Hoogheem, Marilyn Almond, Mark Huston and Theresa Anderson; back row, left to right: Calvin Tolles, Tim Fairchild, Daniel Allison, Mike Johnson, Bill Bruxvoort, Dan Beeghly and Katie Nikkel)

The Christian Opportunity Center completed a five-week woodworking program at Bill Bruxvoort’s Leighton workshop, unofficially known as Bill’s Woodworking Ministry.

Beginning on Thursday, May 15, COC Oskaloosa’s Life Skills Program traveled 11 miles northwest to improve their woodworking skills at the professionally stocked workshop. Sessions lasted two hours on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Guided by Bill, volunteer Dan Beeghly and COC Life Skills Supervisors, every participant constructed and painted a stepstool. Those who completed the project ahead of schedule had the additional option of building a birdhouse or doorstop.

In 10 days, people served by COC logged no injuries and built a plethora of stepstools. Both Bill and Dan were impressed by the patience and pride shown by the people served and COC’s staff.

“It’s amazing how patient the people served at COC are with us,” said Bill. “I can’t say enough good things about the people being served at COC and COC’s staff. They’ve been phenomenal.”

“There have been no complaints and no problems at all,” said Dan. “There’s been a lot of satisfaction in the fact that they built something with their own hands. Working with the people supported by COC has been an incredible experience.”

Dan was the driving force behind the partnership with Bill. An Oregon native and retired educator, Dan roomed with COC Executive Director Rod Braun in college and the two reconnected in recent years. It was a trip to Iowa and a visit to COC that sparked Dan’s interest.

“After visiting Pella and touring COC, I wondered about the possibility of returning and doing some woodworking with people served,” said Dan. “Rod thought it was a great idea, presented the idea to Bill and here we are.”

Bill’s workshop has been featured in the Des Moines Register, on KCCI TV and CBS Chicago and New York and is chronicled in an upcoming book. Built in 2000, it was originally intended for personal use. But after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Bill found both he and the workshop had a greater calling.

“Why did God bless me with the resources to build this workshop, but then limit me in what I can do,” Bill asked. “I had a feeling that I was supposed to share my workshop, even though that was not in my plans. But my plans were not God’s plans.”

Churches and community groups came knocking and Bill answered. It was not long before the purpose had outgrown the space and, in response, he doubled the size of the workshop.

“It’s been an exciting adventure,” said Bill. “It’s not about getting our name in the paper. We said, ‘Lord, it’s your building; do with it what you will and let us know what we’re supposed to do.’ And we’ve been blessed.”

And with that blessing Bill continues to bless others.

“I’m thankful Rod thought of using the shop,” said Bill. “It’s been a great five weeks.”

The program concluded Friday, June 13, but the skills last a lifetime.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to 290 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit christianopportunity.org or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.