The McLean Rotary Club presented a check for $5,000 to Langley Residential Support Services on Feb. 27. Langley Residential Support Services is a local organization that provides residential and community support services to adults with mental retardation.
Langley Residential Support Services got its start after members of McLean’s Trinity United Methodist Church sponsored a social event for mentally retarded young adults in the area. The successful event drew attention to the fact that there was a lack of residential facilities and professional counseling services for that particular local demographic, and members of Trinity, Redeemer Lutheran, and Immanuel Presbyterian churches created the Langley Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation in August, 1983. Today Langley Residential Support Services maintains two group homes and two supported residential homes. The organization also provides counseling and support services to more than 75 people who live independently.
In October 2006, a fire destroyed the Langley Residential Support Services offices; despite that, the organization continued to provide services to its clients. Michael DeRose, director of Vocational Service for the McLean Rotary Club, requested donation funds for Langley Residential Support Services, and was told that a $2,000 contribution could be made at that time, but a larger contribution would be possible in 2007.
"So I decided to wait," said DeRose.
His patience paid off — $3,000 more to be exact. The McLean Rotary Club presented a $5,000 check to Langley Residential Support Services Executive Director Betsy Schatz at its Feb. 27 Rotary meeting at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean. Schatz commended the Rotary Club for its good deeds in the McLean community.
"Thank you for the money, but even more importantly, thank you for being such a good organization," said Schatz.
The Langley Residential Support Services offices have been in the process of rebuilding since last year's fire, and will re-open later this month.