Shelby Electric Cooperative and CoBank donate $20K to three different organizations

PANA, Ill. (WAND) - Shelby Electric Cooperative through its partnership with CoBank's Sharing Success program will be donating $20,000 broken down to three separate checks help out The Autism Movement Project.

The checks were presented Tuesday at the Brewin' Hope Coffee House in Pana.

The check recipients include:

AAMP AMT Learning Center Inc. (established 2012) $15,000

The Autism and Movement Project (AAMP)/Autism Movement Therapy (AMT) is located in Pana, IL and is a non-profit organization serving and providing outreach to the autism community. The classes benefit children diagnosed with autism and special needs or any child that needs help with speech, behavioral, motor, or social skills. AMT helps jump start the brain by using movement and music along with positive support strategies to meet the students’ speech and language, social and academic goals.

The funds provided by will allow AAMP/AMT to expand what they can offer their students and community. Their students range from 8 months to 15 years of age with the majority coming from Shelby Electric Cooperative’s service territory. AAMP recently purchased a new facility that they are in the process of updating, as well as continuing to improve their sensory gym. This organization is changing the lives of kids and their families by helping them make their dreams come true.

Brewin’ Hope Coffee House NFP (established 2019) $2,500

Brewin’ Hope is a coffee house located in Pana, IL. It is staffed by individuals with special needs that allow them to gain skills by joining the workforce and show people they are CAPABLE. Whether it is by serving customers, preparing food, or taking inventory, Brewin’ Hope gives them a space to grow and work.

The funds provided by will allow the coffee house to purchase additional equipment so the employees can make, bake, and create an enjoyable experience for their customers. This will also allow the employees to continue utilizing and improving their life skills.

Pana Historical Society (Sensory Garden established 2022) $2,500

The Pana Historical Society has partnered with the Autism and Movement Project (AAMP) to design and build a sensory garden. Sensory gardens have many benefits for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sensory garden, located in Pana, IL, provides an opportunity and choice for everyone to engage with nature on their own terms, in their own way, and at their own pace.

The funds provided by will allow the purchase of necessary equipment that will enable not only involvement from AAMP, but also collaboration with the community. The students will be able to use their creativity to ensure that the garden is a dynamic and innovative place to visit. The public has access to enjoy the garden as well.