May 1, 2014 Duvall Home recently drew an audience of nearly 100 guests together to convey a two-fold message. Gratitude and appreciation was at the forefront, as donors from various groups enjoyed a day set aside especially for them. Parents and guardians of Duvall Home residents, church ambassadors from several counties, business leadership and local sponsors were among those being honored at an event that took place on the organization’s fifteen-acre Glenwood campus.
Duvall Home residents presented chief executive officer, Tim Cook, who accepted on behalf Florida Hospital DeLand, with an award for Outstanding Community Partner. ABC Supply Company, Inc. was honored as Outstanding Corporate Partner and Kay Laws, a member of First Presbyterian Church DeLand, received the award for Outstanding Volunteer.
Kate Pearce, chair of Duvall Home’s Board of Regents said, “Duvall Home has a rich history of serving individuals with developmental disabilities and we are proud to celebrate the dedication and generosity of those who support our mission and make our work possible”.
Duvall Home has been a landmark fixture in the DeLand community for decades, and will celebrate its 70th Anniversary in 2015. “Nestled in our sleepy, little Glenwood neighborhood, we have done a great job of operating under the radar for years”, said chief executive officer, Steven DeVane, adding “that’s about to change”.
The secondary message of the day – Duvall’s transformation – centered on a new chapter in the organization’s history. Duvall Home will soon begin its move to gradually transition about sixty residents, currently living on the Glenwood campus, into eight community group homes in and around DeLand. These will continue to be operated by Duvall, alongside the ten group homes already established in the community. The living accommodations provide a home environment modeled after a typical family-style residence.
“This is a time to look to the future”, said DeVane “and to ready Duvall Home to meet the ever-changing requirements, not only of our special-needs population, but also of the state and government agencies that govern us. As time moves on, our greatest legacy will be to insure Duvall’s strength long into the future – at the very least, another 70 years”.
About Duvall Home:
The Duvall Home is a 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to enhancing the lives of developmentally disabled residents in its care. Located at 3395 Grand Avenue, Glenwood, FL 32722, more information can be found at https://www.duvallhomes.org.
Contact: Elizabeth Bhimjee, Director of Development, 386-734-2874 Ext. 102, ebhimjee@duvallhome.org
