In the News
Loma & Company featured in Tippecanoe Gazette 8-4-2010
Click image to view full size
Article Transcript:
Loma Members Build Products, Personal Pride
By Mike Woody Gazette
Writer
By capitalizing on innate knowledge and skills, Loma & Company is proving to be a major producer of self-worth and a sense of accomplishment in adults with disabilities. The family-owned company operates a variety of services under the Loma umbrella, each benefiting not only the Tipp City community but the entire region, while simultaneously emphasizing entrepreneurship, voluntarism, and relationship building. The organization’s web site notes that its function is to “empower adults with disabilities to be a part of a community by teaching them life and work skills.”
Rick and Pam Miller of Tipp City started Loma out of their farmhouse on Tipp Elizabeth Road in 2007. With their son Derrick being developmentally disabled, the couple sought a way to help him pursue his technological interests and be a productive citizen. As they found solutions for Derrick, they also built an organization that now includes over a dozen members who get paid for their efforts. both financially and emotionally. “The idea of personal self esteem being tied to what you produce is true for disabled people as much as anyone else," said Pam.
Multi Media Services
Much of the work is now done at a Loma & Company office located inside the Zion Lutheran Church, 14 W. Walnut Street in downtown Tipp City. That’s where Multi Media Services is housed, specializing in making treasured memories easy to see and share with others by upgrading them to the latest digital formats. VHS, Hi-8, Mini DV and Beta versions can be transferred to DVD. Photos can be scanned and transferred to disc for long-term preservation at a cost of 25 cents per image (slides cost 50 cents). Cassette tapes and vinyl records can also be preserved on CD for a modest cost.
Another service known as “Shredding Solutions” specializes in destroying sensitive documents for 15 cents per pound. A variety of Tipp City attorneys, doctors, and others utilize the service.
Disc Doctor, another facet of Loma & Co, resurfaces any disc - music, video, data or game - and restores it to good as new. Discs that skip, freeze, or won‘t play can be restored, with all scratches removed for just $2 per side. “You aren’t going to find anywhere else that does it for that low of a price,” said Rick. And through August. each disk will be treated for $1.
The Loma & Co. web site has attracted customers from all over the country, as requests have come in from as far away as Georgia and Florida. A doctor in San Francisco is sending 1,000 slides to be transferred onto a disk at the urging of the Miller’s daughter, Taavy, who is in California on an internship.
“All of our family are marketers for us,” Rick laughed.
YAPA Treats At Tipp Pet Locations
Yet another Lorna-based initiative is YAPA, homemade dog and cat treats, made with all natural ingredients. The dog treats come in three flavors: Peanut Butter Busters, Parmesan Pleasers, and Berry Danish.
Since sales started in October, the YAPA treats have been well received and are available in Tipp City at Pampered Paws, Canine Creations, and Clark’s Pharmacy, as well as at the Animal Clinic of Troy and Winan’s in Troy. They will also soon be in the All-American Stores operated by fellow Tipp Citian Mike Petro in Brookville and Huber Heights.
ln addition to the pet treats, Loma members also build display cases for the stores through Loma’s custom woodshop.
Members can also express themselves artistically through the Buttonwood Art Studio, a “creative environment geared towards the nurturing self expression and artistic freedom.”
When not working, members also take part in activities designed to promote fellowship and community involvement. Each Wednesday a group takes donated flowers to area nursing homes, rotating between Spring Meade, Caldwell House, Harborside, and Dayview. “The residents love to see us coming. They look forward to it," said Rick.
Visits are also made to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter and, every Thursday, to a local fishing hole. “Meaningful activities and recreation offer opportunities to develop mind, body and spirit,” said Pam.
The organization’s web site. www.lomacompany.com; is peppered with photos of Loma members working. playing...and smiling, For more information call 524-3757 or 524-6811, or e-mail:
Andrew Broughton, pictured at top, and Kelly Ryan, above, not only provide valuable services for the community but also gain self esteem and have a lot of fun as Loma members.