Kansas student-athletes celebrate National Employment Disability Month at Cottonwood, Inc.

Nov. 11, 2009

University of Kansas student-athletes helped celebrate National Employment Disability Month by competing in work-related skill challenges against Cottonwood Inc. employees on Oct. 26.

Cottonwood, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

As the KU fight song played and more than 100 people cheered, the Jayhawks entered the manufacturing, packaging and production warehouse at Cottonwood, introduced themselves, thanked the crowd for their support and then “got to work.” Senior rower Brittany Belford competed in palette wrapping; Meg Proehl, a senior diver, moved and parked a palette jack; Brad Thorson, a junior football player, competed in a honey straw wrapping contest, and senior rower Jessica Sadler competed in a plasticware packaging race.

“We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this memorable event,” Belford said. “All of their excitement made it so much fun. I haven’t stopped smiling yet.”

Lynn Stover, Program Facilitator at Cottonwood, said the staff “really appreciated the support of the student-athletes in celebrating National Employment Disability Month. We have many Jayhawk fans who enjoyed meeting them. What a fun and memorable afternoon! Everyone here is still buzzing and will be for the rest of the week.”