Bishop Grady Villas provides residential, employment, transition, and life skills development programs to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Central Florida. Today, we are faced with an enormous challenge keeping the vulnerable individuals we serve and the staff who support them safe, happy, and healthy. We are so grateful to the HEROES who show up each day to support and care for our residents, and our team members who provide development activities in person and through videoconferencing. Our heroes keep those we serve growing, and happy while they deal with the frustrations of the government order prohibiting visitation from outside family and friends. We rely on the generosity of those willing to partner with us and provide much needed protective equipment, supplies, and direct support. Thank you for partnering with us, and multiplying your gifts, with the gifts of each individual that's part of the broad community at Bishop Grady Villas. 

I have been blessed to serve as a volunteer at Bishop Grady Villas for the last 11 years, mainly as a director for the BGV Chime Choir.  I've also volunteered to lead the residents to rehearse and sing Christmas carols in local assisted living facilities at Christmas time.

During the COVID pandemic, I realized that the residents of BGV were not permitted to leave their villas at all or have visitors. Because of that, I volunteered to lead virtual singing sessions with the residents once a week by leading them singing the hymns and sung responses used at Sunday Mass each week through Google Meet or Google Hangouts.

Through my regular interaction with the residents, either in person or virtually, I have developed friendships with many of the BGV residents.  I love them all, and I know they love me.

I would like to dedicate my fundraising page for Bishop Grady Villas in memory of my deceased son, Benjamin King, who unexpectedly passed away in a car accident 2-1/2 years ago.  Ben was only 22 years old when he left us, and many of these residents are young adults like Ben was.  Ben even joined me a few times when he was a teenager as I was volunteering at Bishop Grady Villas, so he was able to meet a few of the residents and get to know them.

Please find it in your heart to make a generous gift to Bishop Grady Villas during the 5 Day fundraiser - August 24th - 28th, 2020.  The residents really need your financial assistance at this time due to not being able to have their "Achieving Their Dreams" prayer breakfast in April and the Harvest Ball in October.