Andrew Holtschlag

Our family became involved with Pathway Services as soon as our son Andrew was born in 1969. My husband Jim joined the Pathway board and we both were supportive of all the fundraisers and events.

When the decision was made to build Pathway School on Southwest Street we were asked to sign a pledge stating that we would help in any way we could and our family (along with many others) watched Pathway succeed and grow.

Andrew attended Pathway School for one year and then entered Special Education – School District # 117. Our hearts have always supported Pathway. My husband Jim remained on the board and was President of the Pathway board when he passed away in 1979. Shortly after his death I was asked to serve on the board and continued to serve until the Foundation board was formed and I was asked to serve on it. My daughter served on the Pathway board in the late 1980s and I continued on the Foundation board until the late 1990s.

Andrew has been an active participant in Pathway Special Olympics for over 40 years. Participating in all of these sporting events is one of Andrew’s greatest joys. The physical activity, spending time with his teammates, learning from all of the devoted coaches and assistants, traveling to compete, and the great exhilaration of the victories, but even more importantly learning to deal gracefully with the defeats have all added so much to the quality of Andrew’s life.

For the past few years Andrew has benefited from the Pathway Service program that provides a personal assistant to help him achieve some of his other dreams. Andrew was able to broaden his knowledge and learn computer skills by attending Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville with help from his personal assistant. He was also able to take acting classes and has performed in several local theater productions.

Our family simply followed the pathway to unlimited opportunities. With much gratitude to Pathway Services Unlimited,

Leta, DeeAnn and Andrew Holtschlag

Festival of Trees 2020Designer Instructions

We need your special creations (holiday trees, centerpieces and wreaths) for our online auction. There is no fee to enter and we will provide the artificial trees, wreaths and a place to decorate.

Here are the details you need to know:
The Festival of Trees will provide:
· 6’ 6” tree, pre-lit with 250 white lights or 4’ tree pre-lit with 100 white lights
· 30” wreath, unlit (bulbs may be added)
· Centerpiece (30” wreath not available for centerpiece)
· Centerpiece and wreath designer entry(ies) must arrive at Pathway Services no later than:
      Centerpiece – Monday, November 9 by 4:00 p.m.
      Wreath – Thursday, November 12 by 4:00 p.m.

Trees and wreaths will be available for pick up at Pathway weekdays, 8 a.m. -4 p.m., beginning Oct. 5.

Design opportunities:
· Monday November 9-10, 5-9 p.m., Community Room at Pathway
· Webnesday November 11, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Community Room at Pathway
· Saturday November 14, 1-5 p.m., Community Room at Pathway
· May decorate the tree at your home or business, and a staff person will photograph your entry no later than Monday, November 16, 2020.for the online auction.

Please call us, 217-479-2300, to schedule your time. There is a 10-person limit and masks must be worn. You may also choose to decorate at your business or home. Trees decorated outside Pathway must have a metal screw (provided) at the tree sections for safety and stability. Lights and ornaments for all decorations must be securely attached. You must also provide skirting if you are decorating a tree. Upon completion of your creation, it will be photographed for the online auction.

The online auction begins Nov. 12 at Bid.PathwayServices.org and will follow this schedule:
Centerpieces – Bid Nov. 12-14
Wreaths – Bid Nov. 15-17
Trees – Bid Nov. 18-23

Registration forms must be submitted by Nov. 2. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefits Pathway Partners. Pathway Partners provides extras to make life more comfortable for individuals served by Pathway.