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Stories from the Village

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:01:27 GMT

Part One - The Burgett Family

All of us who have a special child know that one of the first questions we ask ourselves is, How will we do this? We also begin to ask what our hopes and goals are for our angels. In time, we realize that the “how” comes from the strength of our love for them, and that, in truth, our hopes for them are no different than for any other child. We simply want them to be happy. And for any of us to be truly happy, we cannot simply be cared for—we also need the opportunity to be as independent as possible.

Having an Angel child means that life will be filled with many unique challenges, while at the same time bringing equally unique blessings. Seeing the world through their innocent eyes is one of my favorite gifts. Another is their natural sense of community, which reminds us of our own spiritual nature and our deep need for connection. It does not matter whether one of our Angels cannot speak, cannot hear, has sensory sensitivities, or faces other communication or social challenges. There will always be people they simply want to be near. Like most of us, they are often drawn to those with whom they share something in common. I believe that is one of the reasons so many of our Angels love school so much. In fact, they really love school.

Our daughter came to live for school. It was clearly a place where she felt independent. Despite never wanting us out of her sight during most of the day, she did not want us lingering in her classroom for even a second longer than necessary. She would pack purses full of toys in preparation for the school day, show us pictures and ask when she could go again on days off, and her world began to revolve around being with her friends and teachers. School gave her purpose, pride, and a sense of independence that made her truly happy. I would be remiss if I did not also mention the respite it provided for her mother and me. Our lives still had many challenges, but we had accomplished our main objective—we had helped our Angel find happiness and purpose, and school was a central part of that rhythm and routine.

Then one day, it was over. In an instant, she had aged out of school and had nowhere to go.

We began searching for what would come next. Sara is brilliant and highly intelligent in many ways, but assisted work programs and higher-level education centers were not an option for her. She is nonverbal, physically handicapped, deaf, and developmentally delayed. She became deeply depressed, which broke our hearts, because despite the cruelty of her health challenges she had always been such a happy person. We had begun searching long before that day arrived and had visited several institutional and private day habilitation programs. Yet everything we saw felt either clinical, not suited for her level of need, or disqualified individuals with continence issues.

Then we found Heather’s Old Skool Village.

What Brenda and Heather have created here is something truly special. From our very first visit, we knew we had found a new home. We had often dreamed about creating something like this ourselves if we had the ability to do so. Instead, we found Brenda—someone who actually made that dream a reality.

Once again, Sara packs her bags in preparation for her important day. On days off, she asks when she will get to return. She shows pictures of Heather’s and does her best to tell me about her day when I get home. It has been a lifeline and a source of fulfillment not only for our Angel, but for our entire family.

What Brenda and Heather have created is very special. It is not an institution. It is a family and a community that comes together to provide purpose, relationships, respite, a sense of belonging, and structure.

We are deeply proud and grateful to be part of Heather’s Old Skool Village.

Thank You,

Mike, Debi and Sara Burgett

Golf Play - Sponsor and Support

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:37:00 GMT

A Round of Golf. A Lifetime of Impact.

Sewell Auto in partnership with Heather's Old Skool Village Ad

It is golf tournament season, and we are excited to announce what we hope will be our BEST annual benefit yet!

After an extremely challenging year, Heather’s Old Skool Village is pressing forward with renewed determination and hope. Heather’s Old Skool Village is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #46-2958842) dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities in our community.

Our mission is to provide a safe and stimulating environment where individuals with disabilities can learn, grow, serve others, and establish meaningful connections within the local community. Every program, activity, and event we host is designed to promote dignity, belonging, and opportunity.

Our annual golf tournament is more than just a day on the course. It is a celebration of community and an opportunity to raise awareness about the value, abilities, and contributions of individuals with disabilities. The event also serves as one of our primary fundraisers, enabling us to continue and expand our services.

We are writing to ask if you would consider supporting this year’s tournament through a donation. We would greatly appreciate items for our raffle or live auction, as well as monetary contributions. All donations are tax-deductible, and your generosity will directly impact the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

We anticipate a wonderful turnout and a meaningful celebration, and we would be honored to partner with you in making this event a tremendous success. Thank you for considering support of a cause that is truly changing lives in our community.

SEE BELOW TO REGISTER, GIVE AND BE PART OF THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY!

With gratitude,
Heather’s Old Skool Village
501(c)(3) Tax ID #46-2958842

______________________________

⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️UPDATE⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
10th ANNUAL DAVID WOLF MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

DATE: May 15, 2026
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 11, 2026

��️‍♀️You can now REGISTER fully online.
Click and fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/3W7mhA6urEKEM3kdA

��️You can DONATE fully online.
Click and follow this link to donate on SQUARE:
https://square.link/u/DFvWUakn?src=sheet

��️‍♂️You can FOLLOW the website:
Click on the flyer on the site:
https://www.heathersoldskoolvillage.net/golf-play

There are many ways to register, participate and donate! We love your support this year.

Let's make this the best year ever! And let's get Heather bakin' those COOKIES!��

A Day in the Village

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:03:00 GMT

A Brief Walkthrough a Typical Day

Click here for "a day at the village" in October 2025.

Click here for "a day on a field trip" in November 2025.

A typical day at Heather’s Old Skool Village can look very different from student to student. Depending on their abilities and needs—whether they are high-functioning or require greater support, fully mobile or using a wheelchair—each student experiences the day in their own unique way.

Even so, there are rhythms and activities that many of our students share. In the video below, you can follow Leo, one of our newer students, and get a glimpse of what a typical day in our village can look like.

7:30 AM – Leo’s brother-in-law typically brings him in the morning. After waking up, Leo gets dressed, grabs his lunch, and heads out the door. Mornings are rarely rushed—there are often a few things to take care of around the house before leaving.

8:00 AM – We usually like to arrive right when the doors open. Leo enjoys serving as a sort of “concierge,” greeting others as they arrive and helping those with limited mobility get into the building. It’s a small act of service that helps the teachers and sets a welcoming tone for the day.

8:30 AM – This is often a time of creative freedom. Many students enjoy arts and crafts—drawing, painting, and expressing themselves in different ways.

9:00 AM – Around this time, a few students help lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. It’s also a meaningful moment for everyone to gather, talk, and connect as a community.

10:00 AM – If there is a field trip planned, the group begins preparing to board the bus and head out. On days without a trip, there are many activities throughout the village. Some students participate in service projects, others enjoy shooting hoops outside, and there may be cooking or baking classes happening. There are always a variety of activities available before lunchtime.

11:30 AM – Lunch begins around this time. Students gather together to eat, and those who need additional support are assisted by the staff with care and attentiveness.

1:00 PM – The afternoon slows down a bit. Some students enjoy watching a movie, while others prefer to go for a walk. There is a nearby park that many of the students enjoy visiting.

2:30 PM – Cleanup begins, along with a few more activities around the village. Around this time, caregivers, parents, and primary chaperones begin arriving to pick up their students.

3:00 PM – The structured part of the day usually concludes. Some students head home, while others remain until their pickup later in the afternoon.