Pool Party Successful for Special Needs Kids
Jessica Eddy, of Worthington, makes balloon animals during the Reagan’s Journey pool party at the end of July. The party was held with families of children with special needs, such as autism and cerebral palsy. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
An outdoor party for children with disabilities at the Belmont Complex pool was successful a few weeks ago.
Kayla McCormick and her five-year-old son, Lucas, have been involved in the East Franklin Township-based nonprofit Reagan’s Journey for a few years already.
Lucas, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, will attend kindergarten this year in at McCreary Elementary in the Marion Center School District.
“I was asking Lucas about his favorite part of the pool party, and he told me the ice cream and the pool,” McCormick said. “He said he wants to go back and never get out of the pool.”
Kayla also went in the pool with Lucas to help him splash around.
McCormick said she also enjoyed the outdoor event – specifically meeting new families that also have children with disabilities.
About six gallons of ice cream was provided by Kristin’s Ice Cream Korner in West Kittanning.
Jessica Eddy, of Worthington, made balloon animals for the children in attendance during the evening. She originally found out about the pool party through her mother – who worked with Family Needs Advisor Kim Neal.
“I had originally met Reagan through Good News Club at West Hills Elementary, so I heard about it through that, and once Mom and Kim became friends, they got to talking and Kim found out that I did the balloons – we just started corresponding on Facebook, and that’s how it came to be,” Eddy said.
Eddy learned how to make balloon animals via her neighbor about two years ago, but the pool party was only her second public function. Her first was a Walkchalk Salem Baptist Church Family Fun Day.
Children at the pool party could choose from a flower, a heart, a wiener dog or a sword – and some volunteers even made some balloon fish.
“The kids were real excited to have the balloons – it was really good to see them so happy about it, Eddy concluded.
“Despite their problems, (the kids) are the sweetest people you’d ever want to meet. They’re so thankful, and they’re really an inspiration because they go through more than most people do but they still have fun, laughing, saying ‘Thank you’ - it really puts things in perspective
A graduate of Commonwealth Connections Academy, Eddy will attend Summit University, in Clarks Summit (Lackawanna County) to study communications.
Neal’s seven-year-old daughter, Reagan, was the inspiration behind the group. Including the Neal Family and about a dozen volunteers, Kim said about 80 people attended.
Kim remarked that one female child participant remarked that she had a ‘great time’ to everybody she saw.
“That made me feel like all the work that led up to this event was worth it – just to have one child feel like they could relax and have fun,” Kim said. “I think everything went really well.”
Another participating child even joined the group, Kim added.
Reagan’s Journey also has an Outdoor Challenge for kids later this month.
Local News | jweaver August 10, 2015
