A SPECIAL GLIMPSE
Open house shows off Indian Creek Foundation’s programs
FRANCONIA » Telford Veterinary Hospital brought Heidi the therapy dog to Indian Creek Foundation’s third annual Foundation Fest - Community Open House on Oct. 18.
“Heidi works specifically with persons with disabilities,” said Dr. Sharon Minninger, Telford Veterinary Hospital’s owner.
Heidi’s just starting to be used in the Indian Creek Foundation programs, Minninger said.
“We’re gonna do some of their after-school programs,” she said.
Heidi is also used in the Bridge Ministries programs at Calvary Church, Minninger said.
Indian Creek Foundation, located on Cowpath Road near Route 113, provides services for people throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.
The open house was started in 2015 for Indian Creek’s 40th anniversary and was so successful that it’s been continued each fall since then, Brett Wells, director of development, said.
“We get 400-500 people to come out and learn about the services we provide,” along with free food and entertainment and displays by other organizations that Indian Creek Foundation works with, he said.
“It gives us a chance not only to show off what we do, but also to invite our partners to come in and be part of the night, too,” Wells said.
Michael Kropp performed live music. Children’s activities included face painting and a photo booth.
“There’s about six different local mascots all over the building,” Wells said.
Meliza Moran, a residential program specialist at Indian Creek Foundation and program coordinator for its STAR program, brought two alpacas from her Hidden Springs Alpacas farm to the open house.
There are currently 38 alpacas, along with a llama and a few sheep and goats on the 10-acre farm about 20 miles north of Mount Pocono, she said.
“By next year, I will have 10 babies on the farm,” she said.
Moran said she has used the alpacas in the STAR program, as well as taking them to vendor events, weddings and parties.
“The main purpose of me having alpacas is to use them for their wool,” she said. “That’s what I got into them for.”
Information about Indian Creek Foundation and its programs is available on its www.indcreek.org website, which includes a description of the STAR program: “This program provides social, recreation and educational resources for people age 16 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability. The focus of this program is to emphasize social growth while having fun. Bi-monthly meeting features games, dancing, arts & craft lessons or talent nights.”
Indian Creek Foundation’s mission statement is “To provide opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in and enrich the community throughout their lives.”