Special Needs Non-Profit Arranges First Pool Party

by Jonathan Weaver

With temperatures in the upper-80’s Sunday, lots of families will be anxious to jump in the pool.

Including those with special needs.

Family Needs Advisors Fred and Kim Neal started the Kittanning-based non-profit Reagan’s Journey nearly three years ago to raise awareness of children aged 21 and under with special needs or illnesses and support them financially or emotionally. The group will hold a pool party from 5-8PM Sunday at the Belmont Complex.

“This is our first pool party,” the Neals said. “Someone brought up the idea of a family picnic – just a way to have fun together – and then someone else (suggested) ‘why don’t we have it at the pool?’ Just a way to relax, sit and chat not pressured.

“We feel like a family, so we just like to catch up on how everyone’s doing (too). We expect about 60-80 people.”

Fred said that includes about half of the non-profit group and that the number of family events have grown during the past few years. He hopes to schedule another pool party next summer.

“We’re starting to build a base of families through the events that it’s getting easier and easier to get a crowd,” Fred said. “We’ve got families coming from Indiana, (Pa.) Butler County – it’s open to anybody. Our group’s pretty-well spread out.”

Their daughter, Reagan – a seven-year-old who is ready to start second grade at West Hills Elementary – was the inspiration behind the group and will also attend, with her red beach chair and umbrella by the water.

“She does like to just step into it and stand in a few inches of water and get right back out,” Kim said. “She may not get in the big pool at all, but at least she’ll be there with her buddies.

“She used to really not like water – this year, it’s so nice to see her in there and move with some range of motion. Her balance has gotten better.”

Reagan also attended the Belmont Complex SummerFest at the East Franklin Township pool last month with her family and walked around the pool with her feet in the water.

Kim said parents can also feel at-ease that lifeguards will be on-duty.

In addition to the built-in swimming area, a smaller blow-up pool will be provided for children with special needs or siblings that are not able to be submerged in water but still want to splash and enjoy the summer evening.

Private access of the pool will be available from 6-8PM.

Games, such as ring-toss and bean-bag toss, will also be held, along with ice cream provided by Kristin Hagofsky, owner of Kristin’s Ice Cream Korner in West Kittanning.

Hagofsky also has held ice cream socials with the non-profit families.

“It’s a great way to help each other out - raise awareness for Reagan’s Journey and us as a new business. We had so much fun doing it and raised so much awareness so we just kept in contact.”

Each year, Hagofsky asks Reagan for her new favorite to make a hard-scoop concoction in her honor. She will take a total of six gallons of cotton candy and cookies-and-cream flavors Sunday.

“That’ll be Reagan’s highlight of the day – that’s her favorite thing,” Kim added.

Families attending can attend the event for $10.

1 Comment

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  By Just sayin, July 24, 2015 @ 8:57 AM

  How refreshing to read a positive and altruistic story!

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