Access-4-All Program Our own club Secretary, Tammy Lucke, is working with the NEA4WDC to incorporate a program with the goal of providing access for those with physical and mental disabilities, as well as under-privileged youth, to the great outdoors.  The program is in it's beginning stages as the Association just recently voted on the signature title of the program, "The NEA4WDC Access-4-All Program".  Over the past year, the Association invited its first disbaled guest out on a trail ride. The individual was a resident at a local group home.  Steve Nordby, Treasurer of the NEA4WDC, member of NE4WI, and also a disabled OHRV driver for several years, took the resident out as his passenger.  An employee at the group home came out to help get the resident into Steve's Jeep and buckle him in.  While on the trail, several other Association members were able to see the joy of the resident as he safely enjoyed his journey through the woods.  In the best way that he could, he communicated to those around him as to how much he enjoyed his experience and he wanted to do it again.  Through this experience, we were able to get some video footage, which we will edit to use as part of the program's introduction package. The goal is to approach local group homes and youth organizations to solicit participation in the program.  Once we can work with local organizations and solidify the program,  than we can venture to larger ones such as the Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.  Currently the programs committee has only two volunteers, Tammy and Steve Nordby. They are looking for other volunteers who might be willing to help. If you are interested, please contact Tammy.  The Association is also looking for some legal advice as to the legal technicalities of transporting people with disabilities.  Once the program is in action there will be a need for volunteers within local clubs to take out some of these participants in their vehicles.  The capabilities of this program are endless but the bottom line and the reason that Tammy has decided to take on this project is to provide enjoyment for these people.  By using the sport that we love so much, we can provide an outlet for them that they might not otherwise have.  Maybe you can take a disabled veteran out in the woods so he can hunt or fish or just enjoy nature's beauty! Maybe you can make a kid's day by allowing him to get out of a dark and dreary inner city neighborhood and out into the outdoors where he can have fresh air and explore nature.  Deep Woods Extreme used to work with a local Big Brother Big Sister organization. We would take the kids out on a very low-key trail and then have a cook-out for them with hamburgers and hot dogs. If you could've seen the smiles on these kids faces...your heart would melt...even if you are a guy! The excitement they had to just be out with the Big Jeeps in the open outdoors was priceless.  I couldn't think of any better way to illustrate why being part of a program like this is worth it. Please stay tuned for updates both here and on www.nea4wd.org
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