People First Industries had its inaugural Mike Morris Memorial Track & Field Day Monday at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex on June 1.
The track meet is an annual event, and PFI is now dedicating it to the memory of Morris, who was a PFI board member. Morris was killed last month in Arkansas when his motorcycle was struck by a car driven by an intoxicated driver, according to Arkansas State Police.
Morris’ son Kurty is one of PFI’s clients.
PFI provides employment opportunities for people who have mental and/or physical disabilities.
Shannon Walker, executive director of PFI, said clients are excited about the track meet.
“Of course, our stars look forward to this every year,” Walker said. “They love to come out here and have a good time. You know, a free day off work, but today is a little bit different because we are celebrating the life of Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris became a board member in 2012 for us, and he’s poured his life into People First Industries ever since he got on our board and we just really thought that it would be something special if we would just dedicate this as a memorial to his life that he’s had with PFI.”
Walker said the track meet includes 50-and 100-yard dashes.
“Something new that we’ve got this year is the roping of the steer,” Walker said. “We’ve got tug of war, different activities that not only they can do by their selves, but the staff can join in and do it as well because we want it to be unified.
“They come back with a medal around their neck, and it just makes them feel like they’re somebody special and that’s what we want. We want to build their confidence up. We want people to see what they are capable of doing because they’re capable of so much more than what people give them. These guys can do anything and we’re just so very proud of them.”
Ashley Adair has been employed by PFI since 2002.
“I do from pulling orders, to labeling, to pencils, to working in the admin building in the office and I do incontinence briefs, sending them in and I do all kinds of different stuff there,” Adair said.
She was excited about the track meet.
“I just got through doing the horse racing, and I’ve done the roping the bull, the obstacle course, standing long jump,” Adair said.
Asked if she was having a good time, Adair said, “Yep.”
She expressed enthusiasm for her job at PFI.
“I’ve loved this place,” Adair said. “I wouldn’t ask for any better job than where I’m at.”
According to Walker, PFI currently has about 58 clients, up from the 26 clients when she became executive director six years ago. PFI had 28 staff members when she took over and now has about 88 staff members.
“We are growing and that’s something that we want,” Walker said. “We have a waiting list for people to come to work out here because people are just now after 48 years, a lot of people are just now finding out about People First Industries, so I really feel like in the future, that we’ve got a huge opportunity to be a very big part of our community.”
Walker said that as she tells everyone in her staff meetings, this isn’t her job, it is her life.
“These people, they’re the reason I keep going,” Walker said. “I lost my husband in March to a three-year battle with cancer, and I was very excited to get back to my family here at PFI and these people mean the world to me and we’re going to make this bigger and better than ever.”
