Even though the Walton Foundation for Independence is based in Augusta, its activities for people with physical disabilities are open to residents of the Aiken area, and some of the events take place here.
Vicki Greene, the vice president of development for the organization, wants to make sure that everyone knows about the opportunities it offers.
The Walton Foundation recently began an effort to increase participation in the free adaptive golf clinics for adults that it conducts in partnership with The First Tee of Aiken at Houndslake Country Club.
"We have received a grant from the National Alliance for Accessible Golf," Greene said. "They gave us half of what we asked for, and they will give us the other half if we can grow our numbers at our clinics in Augusta and Aiken. We have been getting eight to 10 people at our Aiken clinics, and we'd like to get 15."
The 2015 series of clinics at Houndslake started in April, and the next one will be 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday.
Participants will be eligible for a drawing to win two tickets to see Jay Leno on June 4 at Bell Auditorium in Augusta.
In addition, the clinics are now open to senior citizens who don't necessarily have a physical disability.
"Maybe they're not able to play by themselves, want the comfort of someone there or are in a weakened condition," Greene said.
"They can learn or relearn how to golf. They'll have a good morning on the driving range, and then possibly have the opportunity to play two or three holes."
Other adaptive golf clinics are scheduled for June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.
Attendees will each receive two vouchers for free rounds of golf at participating courses in Aiken and Augusta.
The Walton Foundation also is seeking children, teenagers and young adults from the Aiken area to attend its free Camp To Be Independent, which also is known as Camp TBI. It will be held July 26 to 31 at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia.
Camp TBI "is specifically for youngsters with traumatic brain injuries, including cerebral palsy," Greene said.
The age range for participants is 8 to 21.
"We have one child coming from the Aiken area, and we would really like to get more," Greene said.
"It's a spend-the-night camp, and there will be horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, fishing and archery - everything that any kid would do at a camp. We also have a talent show one night and a dance at the end of the camp."
For more information about the adaptive golf clinics or Camp TBI, call 706-434-0150 or visit www.walton foundation.net.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
