Harris Products Group Helps Local Non-Profit Fund Autism Preschool

Proceeds from the event helped fund various summer programs, including their preschool that provides therapy and educational services to children living with autism.

The Harris Products Group (Mason, OH) helped Abilities First raise a record-breaking $33,000 during the non-profit’s 8^th Annual Golf Classic in June at the Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown, OH. Proceeds from the event helped fund various summer programs, including their preschool that provides therapy and educational services to children living with autism.

Abilities First serves more than 1,100 clients, both children and adults, in a seven-county region of Southwest Ohio. Founded in 1958, the organization offers an inclusive child care center, welcoming and educating children with both special and traditional needs to learn side-by-side. Abilities First also offers pediatric therapy services, as well as the unique Discovering Abilities “Everybody Counts” curriculum, a program that raises awareness of disabilities with school-aged children. The organization also offers speech, physical and occupational therapy, pre-employment and employment and services, 2 residential facilities and 5 group homes.

In addition to the summer programs, the event’s success helped the organization continue to serve families in Southwest Ohio with speech, physical and occupational therapy, employment and pre-employment services, residential facilities and group homes.  The organization now serves more than 1,100 children and adults in a seven-county region including Butler, Warren, Montgomery, Hamilton, Preble, Greene, and Clark counties in Ohio.

“The Harris Products Group has been a major sponsor for several years and their continued support has made a difference for every child who attends a speech, occupational or physical therapy session when insurance payments do not meet the cost of providing the therapy,” explained Karen Smith, the executive director of Abilities First.

In addition to the preschool program for children with autism, the donations received will also help fund a variety of additional therapy groups and an outing to Camp Joy for their youth social club. “Our programs and special events mean a lot to the children we serve,” said Smith. “Harris sees the difference we’re making. Their unwavering commitment allows us to not only provide a day of fun at camp with therapists, but crucial services that will empower them for a lifetime.”

With international headquarters in Mason, David Nangle, the president of the Harris Products Group, is passionate about supporting local charities like Abilities First because they in turn, help those living in the community. The company also gives to Challenged Child and Friends, a similar organization located near its Gainesville, GA, facility.

“Once you’ve spent time at their facilities, you see the impact they’re making by helping those with special needs,” noted Nangle. “My hope is that other local companies will become acquainted with Abilities First and their mission, so that they will see the value and support them with a donation as well.”

Supporters for Abilities First can visit their website www.abilitiesfirst.org to learn more or contact Karen Smith at karen.smith@abilitiesfirst.org. For more information, visit www.abilitiesfirst.org or call (513) 423-9496.

The Harris Products Group, a Lincoln Electric Company, is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of cutting, welding, brazing and soldering equipment and consumables and gas distribution systems. Harris Products Group products are sold and used in more than 85 countries. The company’s international corporate headquarters are located in Mason, north of Cincinnati. www.harrisproductsgroup.com