Booster Organization
The Boosters are a group of Empowering Abilities family and friends who provide activities to enhance the lives of participants and who advocate for issues that affect people with disabilities. Our motto is “We do, so they can.”
The Booster Organization
Join the Boosters
The Booster Organization is a dedicated group of family members, friends, and community supporters who come together to enhance the lives of individuals receiving services. Through volunteer efforts and event planning, Boosters help create meaningful experiences and show appreciation for both participants and staff. Members contribute to a variety of activities throughout the year, including seasonal dances such as Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, as well as an ice cream social for the Residential Center, and the staff appreciation lunch, staff and participant picnic. Booster members also meet regularly to plan upcoming events, share ideas, and stay connected. Whether attending meetings, volunteering at events, or offering support in other ways, every contribution helps make a positive impact in our community.
Annual membership fees are $25 for either an individual, family, or company. Memberships run on a calendar year, so renewal time is each January. To join, send $25 to the Boosters at: 3402 Hickory Grove Road, Davenport, IA 52806.
Call our Hickory Grove location at 563-391-4834 or contact our team for more information.
Advocate & lobby
The Boosters ensure people with special needs have a voice. Here are some ways the boosters advocate:
- Sponsor advocacy trips to Des Moines during the Iowa legislative session
- Letter writing campaigns to legislators
- Informing the Booster membership and the broader community about important issues
Fundraise
To help fund the important work of the boosters, we conduct the following fundraisers throughout the year:
- The Annual Booster Organization/Bob Ott Memorial Nut and Candy Sale
- Birdies For Charity
- SaveAround Dining Books
- An account at Stuff Etc.
Keep people informed
Ensuring people know about the important role Empowering Abilities plays in the lives of the people served, the boosters do the following:
- Distribute a monthly newsletter
- Invite people to informational luncheons
- Encourage tours or speakers
What is done with the money raised?
In addition to paying for the recreational activities provided to participants, we also make donations to purchase items that enhance services. The following items have been made possible through the Booster Organization:
- Automatic door openers
- Computer work stations
- A wheelchair accessible van
- Production equipment
- Furniture in the residential programs
- Much, much more!
Knowing the importance of ensuring the long-term future of services, we have also made substantial contributions to the Empowering Abilities Endowment Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meeting times
Typically, Boosters meet at 1 p.m. on the scheduled date. Please look in the Booster’s Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the date and times of the meetings.
Stuff , Etc. Donation
Donate items to Stuff Etc. (located across the street from Brady Street Stadium in Davenport) and tell them to put it on the Empowering Abilities Booster account. When the items sell, proceeds benefit the Boosters. Stuff Etc. accepts many items including clothing but certain restrictions apply. Check the Stuff Etc. website for more information about accepted items.
Birdies for Charity
Pledging to Empowering Abilities means a donation to support the Boosters. The Birdies for Charity program offers the opportunity to enhance your gift through a match also.