Press Release
Date: November 27, 2006
For more information, contact: Paul D. Leichty, 574-535-7053 or

Disabilities Network Funding Campaign Announced
"Build a Haystack'' for ADNet

Board members of Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) were intrigued at the amazing community support for a Shipshewana, Indiana "haystack dinner'' to help pay the medical bills of a person with disabilities. They decided to try to capture that same spirit of support for a common cause with ADNet's first-ever national fund campaign.

Starting with the holiday season of 2006-07, ADNet has announced its "Build a Haystack'' Fund Campaign which will extend to its entire upcoming fiscal year through January 2008. Milt Stoltzfus, ADNet Board Treasurer, stated the goal as "working to build a haystack of resources and supports at which families and churches across the United States can feed.''

ADNet hopes to raise a total of $90,000 during the 15-month campaign, broken down into $30,000 in each of three time periods. The money is intended to balance the budget for the current fiscal year and provide a cushion for the operating fund during leaner months in the summer and fall. The Board also hopes to be able to add additional staffing time in 2007 and purchase additional resources (particularly videos in DVD format) for ADNet's lending library.

At its October 13-14 meeting in Goshen, Indiana, the ADNet Board enthusiastically endorsed two major projects to increase awareness of the issues of disabilities and mental illness in the church. Paul Leichty, Network Director, explained that while ADNet is experiencing success in attracting partnerships and grants for these special projects, the underlying funding base to pay for staffing and administration has not kept up with the growth. The Board authorized the fund campaign as a first step toward the creation of a funding strategy to provide long-term stability for the Network.

While the haystack dinner is increasingly popular in Amish and Mennonite communities in Indiana & Ohio, Board members from other parts of the country were fascinated with the unusual fundraising tradition and impressed with the variety of people involved in the event.

The central attraction of these community fundraisers is the haystack itself, typically formed by placing ground beef, lettuce, and tortilla chips on a bed of rice and crackers. Additional ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and olives are added according to the individual's taste and the whole concoction is smothered with a melted cheese sauce with additional options of salsa and sour cream as requested. The result is what one Board member termed "a glorified taco salad with a Mennonite/Amish flavor.''

In ADNet's "Build a Haystack'' Funding Campaign, the different ingredients represent suggested dollar amounts ranging from the $25 "Crackers'' category to $5,000 "Ground beef.'' Additional individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and churches are invited to contribute to the campaign by contacting ADNet at 1-877-214-9838 (toll free) or email . Contributions may also be mailed directly to PO Box 959, Goshen, IN 46527.

Sidebar: About ADNet
        
ADNet was formed in late 2002 by a group of concerned family members in northern Indiana in order to continue advocacy programs in disabilities and mental health concerns which were begun under Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in the 1970's and were later hosted by Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) from 1995-2002.

ADNet was incorporated in 2003 and a national Board was formed in early 2004. Since September 2004, Paul Leichty, one of the co-founders of ADNet, has served as half-time Network Director. Several local volunteers staff the office in Goshen, Indiana several mornings a week, and there is a growing volunteer network of consultants and associates to address concerns that arise.

ADNet offers resources previously published by MCC and MMA as well as an expanding set of resources through two quarterly publications and an Internet presence called ADNet Online. ADNet also has speakers available for congregations and sponsors workshops at denominational and area conferences as well inter-Anabaptist events like Mennonite Health Assembly.

Explained Leichty, "ADNet's networking approach is bearing fruit. As our presence is made known through church conferences and on the Internet, we are addressing an interesting variety of requests.'' He cited one recent concern of an aging couple who have a son with an autism spectrum condition. After being led to some appropriate resources, they responded, "This book has been helpful as was our phone conversation. We contacted [the person whose name we were given] and received a wealth of information from him. Thanks and God bless you.''

More information on ADNet can be found at www.adnetonline.org.

Contributions may be made payable to either ADNet or Anabaptist Disabilities Network. 

Send all donations to
ADNet
PO Box 959
Goshen, IN 46527-0959

Online contributions are accepted with a credit card through the Network for Good. See the Network for Good logo in the left column.

ADNet is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Indiana. Contributions are tax-deductible subject to federal tax guidelines.

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