Seventy-four years ago, Dennis Denenberg received services from the Society of Crippled Children and Adults that profoundly affected him and changed the course of his life. At the age of 4, Denenberg received speech therapy that turned a weakness into a strength.

It's the kind of story that the organization, now known as Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, has routinely authored over the last nine decades.

"I really garbled my words; it wasn't just a stutter," said Denenberg, clearly and succinctly. "You could really not understand what I was saying. My time at Schreiber opened the door to a successful K-through-12 experience. It opened the door to college, and I became an educator and a nationally recognized speaker. Schreiber changed my life. I've become involved as a donor and a volunteer."

A 78-year-old resident of Manheim Township, Denenberg is believed to be the oldest living Schreiber patient. He's also leading an initiative to find any former Schreiber patient who is older than him, someone who would relieve him of the unofficial title of Schreiber's oldest living patient.

"I am, at this point, the oldest living client that we know of," said Denenberg. "We're trying to find out if I am truly the oldest or if there is someone else we can honor."

Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, which is located at 625 Community Way, Lancaster, is searching for its oldest living patient as part of a celebration commemorating 90 years of service to the Lancaster County community and surrounding counties. That oldest living patient will be honored at Schreiber's 42nd annual gala, set for 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at DoubleTree Resort, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster.

As part of getting the word out about the search, officials of Schreiber have contacted supporters through newsletters, emails and social media; written letters to the editors of local newspapers; and appeared on podcasts and radio shows and in television segments.

"(Schreiber's) work is really critical," said Denenberg. "They never give up on a child. Their goal is to get children to a point where they don't have to come to Schreiber anymore."

Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development provides services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, education services, parent services and, of course, speech therapy, to about 2,000 kids from Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, York, Chester and Dauphin counties each year. Over the years, Schreiber has served tens of thousands of children with disabilities.

"There are some amazing stories of Schreiber success which may have never happened without its intervention," said Denenberg. "It's a place you can bring your child, and their services have expanded greatly over the years. I think there's still a lot of room to grow in terms of public awareness. I think parents spread the word. (Schreiber officials) want to reach as many children as possible. There's clearly room for Schreiber's image to be put into the community more forcefully."

An advocate and an ambassador, Denenberg has been one of Schreiber's top "duck salespeople" for one of the organization's most lucrative fundraisers, its annual Rubber Duckie Race and Festival, which this year will be conducted from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. One of Denenberg's personal resolutions for 2026 is to become more involved with the organization that was so instrumental in his development.

"I actually want to work with children. I just have to get my clearances," said Denenberg. "I admire the goal of helping children to become their best. They may be children who are neglected because of their disabilities. Children with disabilities have incredible potential. Edna Schreiber and her assistants gave me such a gift. I'm forever grateful. I don't know what my life would've been like without that speech therapy."

Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development was originally established as the Society for Crippled Children and Adults in response to the polio epidemic. Edna Schreiber led the organization's efforts for 31 years before retiring in 1967.

During the late 1980s, the organization shifted its focus toward more specialized pediatric therapy for infants, children and adolescents with developmental delays and disabilities.

"I hope people realize what a gem Schreiber is," said Denenberg. "The people at Schreiber and the clients are real heroes."

For additional information, go to http://www.schreiberpediatric.org.