Reach Child and Youth Development looked at how far its come over the past five decades at its 50 year anniversary banquet last month.

Among those recognized for their contributions to the organization were Lucy Schmand and her late husband Tony, who were involved in the early years of Reach's development.

The Schmands became involved in the organization, then known as the Delta Association for Handicapped Children, shortly after moving to B.C. from Holland in 1958. They investigated local schools for their oldest son, Paul, who is mentally and physically disabled.

Tony Schmand, who passed away 15 years ago, became vice-president of the Delta Association for Handicapped Children in 1961.

Lucy Schmand said the Delta Association for Handicapped Children put Delta on the map for its effort to provide early intervention services for children with disabilities, recalling people from other B.C. communities and as far away as Nova Scotia visiting to learn about their programs during the early and mid-70s.

Tony Schmand was also the driving force behind the Variety Farm Training Centre, an agriculture-focused training centre in Ladner for young adults with disabilities in need of training and work experience.

The training centre eventually became the Delta Community Living Society, which Schmand visits every other week. She also drops off children's books at Reach, and volunteers with the Delta Hospital Auxiliary's thrift store in Ladner.

At the banquet, Lucy Schmand was described as a strong advocate of the association, helping to raise money and recruit volunteers, as well as instrumental in the creation of an inclusive preschool, the Delta Child Development Centre, in the mid-70s, now known as the Reach Developmental Preschool.

Schmand emphasized many parents were involved in keeping Reach alive. She added lotteries, telethons, and bake sales helped pay for much in the early years of the association.

At the Oct. 17 event Mayor Lois Jackson, who recalled working with Tony Schmand on council in the early 70s, also officially announced the new partnership between the Corporation of Delta and Reach to redevelop the Ladner Kin House at Memorial Park.

Reach hopes to expand the 3,000 square foot facility to a 15,000 square foot one jointly used by Reach and the Kinsmen Club. A capital campaign has been launched to raise three to four million dollars over the next three to seven years.