The Santa Clarita Valley is very fortunate to have fulltime resources now available for our growing population of people with disabilities. LETMESAIL (an acronym for Lifestyle Enrichment Through Meaningful Exercise, Social Activity and Independent Living) has launched the next phase of its’ organizational development in order to better serve individuals with special needs in our community. The LETMESAIL Board of Directors recently approved hiring President and Founder, Gary Spindt, on a fulltime basis as the agency’s first Executive Director. Gary will soon retire from the William S. Hart Union High School District after 35 years of public school service to assume this new leadership position at LETMESAIL. According to Spindt, “It is time for me to follow my passion in the non-profit world. However, I have enjoyed every minute of my career in education.”
Gary has received numerous awards throughout his life, most notably the National Physical Educator of the Year in 1985 for his ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. He has also authored textbooks in the field of physical education, was Valencia High School’s first varsity boy’s basketball coach and was instrumental in enhancing the School to Career Program at Valencia High. Gary has been awarded numerous awards for his volunteer work in Special Olympics. In addition, he recently received the 2007 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Local Hero Award by Bank of America and was able to designate LETMESAIL as the recipient of the $5,000 cash prize.
Gary’s preferred term for those with special needs is “differently-abled,” as he highlights their ‘capabilities’ rather than their ‘disabilities’. Through his involvement in Special Olympics and LETMESAIL, he has helped improve the quality of life for hundreds of individuals with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, visual and hearing impairments and physical and intellectual disabilities.
Gary’s goals for LETMESAIL are to raise the needed funds so that the non-profit agency can move to a larger, handicap accessible facility. He also plans to develop programs to help individuals who are differently-abled gain optimum independence through increased job opportunities and programs to further develop their independent living skills. Gary states, “Research shows that one in five people has a disability, so there is a large need to continue adding new social, recreational, educational and health and wellness programs so our clients can lead happier, healthier, more productive lives.”
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get more involved in a non-profit organization, please visit the LETMESAIL website at www.letmesail.org to learn more about its current programs, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. You may also call Program Director Kristel Shvetsov at 661-702-8555.