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The following article is from the The Nebraska Messenger, December/January 2001-2002 issue.

    'Happy Circle' celebrates 30th anniversary with reunion  
By Ruby Thelander

Thirty years ago, a group of volunteers from South Gate United Methodist Church agreed to host a party, but this was no ordinary party.

This celebration would be designed specifically for people who were newly released from the Lincoln Regional Center and came at the request of what was then the Volunteer Connection.

South Gate United Methodist Church, 3500 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln, was one of the organizations recruited in an effort to provide social events for persons who were being "mainstreamed" from the center to group homes.

What came to known as Happy Circle at South Gate UMC was focused for the people from those homes.

"What is interesting about the group, and says a lot about the church, is how people who came to the group told other people, who wanted to come too," said Nancy Fields, volunteer coordinator with the Community Mental Health Center of Lancaster County.

"The group became a mix of people newly released from the center and those who are developmentally disabled," Field said.

"South Gate people came forward when the community really needed help to make the transition from the institution living to group homes," Fields said. "Over the years, they have refused to abandon this mission, and continue to serve this community."

Since March of 1971, volunteers from South Gate have picked people up each month and brought them to the church and to a variety of activities.

Events range from a sing-along to a picnic, to a trip to the movies, to dinner out and from bingo to other games.

Other events include An October meal. A special Christmas party. In recent years, a dinner in March hosted by the Fourth Presbyterian Church. A Valentine's Day party hosted by South Gate youth.

South Gate members volunteer their time and contribute food and funds.

Happy Circle is the only group that continues to provide this type of event, Fields said.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary, the group held a reunion for all participants, present and past, on Nov. 13.

The program included some time for present and past participants and volunteers to reminisce about a number of memories of the past 30 years. Also, the Lincoln Czech Chorus (shown above) provided music as a part of the evening's entertainment.	After the program, those attending moved to Memorial Hall to continue the celebration with the sharing of birthday cake and fellowship.
Happy Circle current Participants	Happy Circle current Volunteers

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