Springer raises $72,000 for financial aid and outreach

Families, friends, and generous community members donated an array of fantastic items for guests to bid on. Raffles included a split-the-pot, fine jewelry, and collectible rare bourbons. Attendees and participants feel great knowing they help make it possible for children with learning disabilities to get the specialized education they need to achieve their full potential.

With an education tailored to meet their needs, students become equipped to reach their goals in school and in life. Nobody illustrates this better than alumnus Nick Lefke, owner of Lefke Tree Experts. During a recent visit, Nick spoke with students about how he began his business as a small-scale landscaping company when he was a young boy still enrolled at the Springer School. He explained that in addition to earning money, cutting grass was a good mental outlet for him. As he yearned to tackle bigger challenges, he expanded his business to accommodate. Tree work still gives him a new challenge with every job, which keeps his mind engaged.

During a fifteen-minute video recorded for the Springer Celebration 2021: The Giving Tree, two of Nick’s former teachers reflect on their memories of him as a student and the work ethic he displayed. That students with learning disabilities are lazy is a myth, and Nick is a shining example of the potential of these students. Nick, like all Springer students, was encouraged to recognize and capitalize on his strengths and learn strategies to support and grow his competence. During a visit to campus, students were thrilled to see one of his enormous work trucks in person and guess the weight of the seven-foot tree segment he brought to campus. They learned that Nick sill uses the strategies he learned at Springer, and they too are capable of achieving success, in school and into adulthood.

The inspirational story of Nick Lefke and the power of a Springer School and Center education is viewable online at Springer-ld.org/giving/celebration-2021/.