Aktion Club gives back to the community

Afsha Bawany

Friday, July 25, 2003 | 3:07 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: July 26, 2003

Usually they are on the receiving end of charitable works, but the members of the Aktion Club are learning how much better it is to give.

The club, formed to give young adults with disabilities the chance to participate in community services, has been around only six months, but already its eight members have made sandwiches for a homeless shelter, Easter baskets for an assisted living community and participated in a Duck Derby fund-raiser.

"This gives them something to do and gives back to the community," said Linda Vandruff, an administrative assistant for the Down Syndrome Organization, which provides a meeting room and office supplies for the Aktion Club. "The community gets to see them as giving individuals. They're able to give just as anyone else."

Vandruff, an adviser for Aktion, said the organization boosts the members' self-esteem and provides leadership and teamwork skills.

At a family and friends night at Jillian's at Neonopolis this month, members of the organization shed some insight on the benefits of the club.

"It gets him to think of other people," said Bill Fiscus of his son, Matthew, a Bonanza High School senior who has Down syndrome.

While waiting for his turn to bowl, Matthew Fiscus and his parents discussed Matthew's experience at the Special Olympics World Games, which were held last month in Dublin, Ireland.

The 18-year-old showed off his medals like a celebrity having won an Academy Award, but there was reason for all the hoopla. Fiscus brought back three gold and silver medals and a ribbon for competing in artistic gymnastics. Not bad for his first time competing in the games. But it took three years of training, four to five hours a day, four days a week to get Fiscus to Ireland.

Fiscus isn't a man of many words but his enthusiasm shows. He said he enjoys being a part of Aktion because he meets his friends and stays active. Fiscus may also like the club because it's where he met his girlfriend, Brianne Treants.

Girls aside, Fiscus also said he likes doing the activities the Aktion Club organizes. His favorite activity was making Easter baskets for a retirement home.

"It's a part of being a citizen," said Betty Fiscus, Matthew's mother. Fiscus' parents said they are happy with what the Aktion Club has done for their son.

The club meets twice a month on Wednesdays at 5:30 at the Down Syndrome Organization on 5300 Vegas Drive. The club is open to young adults 15 and older. For more information, call 648-1990.