The Mid-Del Residential Home in Midwest City is a cool place that provides care and employment for adults with developmental disabilities.
“Sometimes we go to the ball fields and pick up trash,” said resident Daniel Harris.
Since 1983, the Mid-del Group has been serving the community through its work programs.
“We have been working with Century Martial Arts for 36 years and fill about a thousand sandbags a day,” said Joel Bain, managing director of Mid-Del Group Home.
They have been fortunate to secure several contracts throughout Midwest City and Del City. In addition to employment opportunities, they also provide housing services for those in the program.
“We have 24 people living with us permanently. We have three households for men and one for women,” Bain said.
As you can imagine, the costs for this type of place are quite high, even with the contracts.
“This year, we’re no different than anyone else, and our insurance premiums are up about 26 percent,” Bain said.
To offset some of the costs, they organize their so-called run, walk or roll event.
“It’s a fun event, we even have a sanctioned 5K run where people can run for record times,” Bain said.
For those less competitive, there is a one-mile fun run.
“This is the race that all of our residents are running,” Bain said.
Something Daniel Harris was prepared for last year.
“I won first place, so that’s pretty good,” Harris said.
Harris has already trained to defend his title.
“I often run around the house or the property and try to practice,” Harris said.
The event takes place on Saturday, August 24th and you must register to join in on all the fun.
“You can run for time, you can walk and have fun, you can bring your bike, we’ve had people in the past who have had tricycles,” Bain said.
Even wheelchairs are acceptable and since it is open to all, residents prepare to compete with anyone.
“David Payne, I challenge you to a race,” said Wade Magill, a resident of the Mid-Del Group Home.
Volunteers, community support and sponsors are needed. For information and to register, visit www.mdgh.org/run-walk-or-roll.
