Christian Opportunity Center (COC) will host Spare Some Time for COC, a bowling FUN-raiser and silent auction, on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Statesmen Lanes and Event Center from 2–4 pm. Doors will open at 1:30 pm for the silent auction. 

COC hopes this event will encourage positive social interactions between people with disabilities and community members. Social interactions for people with disabilities can be limited due to a lack of opportunities to meet others outside of their family, work, or church life.  Spare Some Time for COC is an opportunity to create and foster new friendships and to focus on all the people with disabilities have to offer. 

“There is so much research on the benefits for people with disabilities to have positive friendships, including a longer lifespan. But it is what people with disabilities can give back to the community that is so amazing to me. Each individual we support has so many gifts to give back. I want everyone to have the opportunity to see all they have to offer. These relationships can change lives for the better.” Said Amy Zuck, COC Public Information Director.  

This year we will be adding to the FUN by including a few new ways you can participate in Spare Some Time! We invite the community to join in weekly challenges leading up to Spare Some Time. Weekly challenges and prizes will be posted on the COC Facebook page, beginning March 14th.

Community members are encouraged to come out and bowl with COC on Sunday, April 10. Individual bowling tickets are $20 per person, and this price includes bowling, shoes, and an event t-shirt. The T-shirt guarantee is March 29. A team/family rate of $70 is available for groups of four. Tickets for Spare Some Time can be purchased online at https://one.bidpal.net/sparesometimeforcoc22/welcome. 

If you aren’t able to bowl but would still like to support COC, event t-shirts are available to purchase at

https://cocbowling2022.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

All proceeds of this event will support the programs and services COC provides to people with disabilities in Mahaska County.

Melissa Elko celebrated retirement after 38 years of service at COC. Elko began her journey with COC in 1984. She has held various positions at COC over the years, her heart for individuals with disabilities has never diminished.  

When asked about her time at COC, Elko stated, “Many of my favorite memories at COC revolve around music.” Over the years, she made it a point to have unique connections with the individuals she supported. Often, she would find a special song, mostly old bible hymns, for each person.he was known to sing to the people supported throughout her shift. Each night many of the people she supported looked forward to her singing “Good Night, Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen” by the Lawrence Welk Stars.

Elko recalls one memory when the Central College football team come to volunteer at COC. The staff and volunteers were working on a craft activity, and some of the volunteers questioned if the people supported would be able to do the activity.  She remembers how much joy she took when the volunteers realized that with modifications, the people supported exceeded their expectations and completed the craft. 

During her time at COC, Melissa has continued to fight a courageous battle with cancer. In 2011, she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. The next few years were filled with surgery, chemo, radiation, and prayer, but she was declared cancer-free. Then in 2018, metastatic cancer returned, and she continues to fight to this day. Her retirement will allow more time to focus on her health and well-being. However, she will continue to work as a substitute at COC. 

Her supervisor Liz VanderWerf, said, “Melissa has been a blessing to COC in several different departments just most recently for ours.  She is a truly one of a kind.”  Everyone at COC wishes Melissa the best of luck in retirement, she will be missed.