Orange Grove Center was present alongside fellow partners of the Nancy Lackey Community Education Fund on Saturday, during “Coming Home: A Celebration of Usher”, a community celebration of musician Usher Raymond IV, a Chattanooga native and performer during 2024’s Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show.
Orange Grove Center has been a partner of the Nancy Lackey Community Education Fund since the fund was established by Usher in 2016 in memory of his “Nanny”, Nancy Ann Lackey. The fund aims to support art, dance, and music programs across Hamilton County, while also working to build leadership initiatives with regional community arts organizations.
A representative from Orange Grove Center was present at the McKenzie Area in downtown Chattanooga during the “Coming Home” celebration, representing Orange Grove as a partner of the Nancy Lackey Community Education fund, and received a grant from the fund alongside other local non-profits.
Orange Grove Center’s services includes enrichment activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Enrichment at Orange Grove includes programs like music classes, choir rehearsals, visual arts classes, crafting sessions, and indoor and outdoor recreation via programs like the music program, art program, and Special Olympics.
Mr. Raymond’s first gift to Orange Grove was made in 2015 in memory of Nancy Lackey, and allowed Orange Grove to repair and update the track on their main campus. Renovations included widening the lanes to accommodate wheelchairs, as well as applying state-of-the-art track surface that improves safety and reduces injury. The track project was especially meaningful, as Nancy and her husband James – who attended both the groundbreaking and the ribbon cutting – frequently used the track for recreation and exercise. Mr. Raymond’s last visit to Orange Grove was in 2017 for the ribbon cutting and dedication. Today, the track is frequently used by Orange Grove for various events including Special Olympics training, and by members of the community for health and fitness.
Orange Grove Center is grateful for this latest grant from Mr. Raymond and the Nancy Lackey Community Education Fund, and hopes to continue to provide athletic opportunities for people with IDD in memory of Nancy Ann Lackey, who regularly walked on the previous track and field outside of Orange Grove Center before her passing.
To learn more about Orange Grove center and the enrichment programs that will benefit from the grant provided by the Nancy Lackey Community Education Fund, visit https://www.orangegrovecenter.org/.