Posted 9:40 pm Sunday, September 09, 2012
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Kilgore play day focuses on special needs children
By Danny Mogle
dmogle@tylerpaper.com
Josie Atchley has a grandchild with special needs and learning disabilities. That is why she was thrilled when Kilgore Fire Chief John Bellows ap-proached her about helping organize and promote Kilgore’s first SAFFE Day.
dmogle@tylerpaper.com
Josie Atchley has a grandchild with special needs and learning disabilities. That is why she was thrilled when Kilgore Fire Chief John Bellows ap-proached her about helping organize and promote Kilgore’s first SAFFE Day.
“I couldn’t say no,” says Mrs. Atchley, a longtime 911 dispatcher who works with the fire department.
To seal the deal, Chief Bellows showed her a video of a SAFFE Day event held in Overland Park, Kan. In the video children with disabilities are having the time of their lives taking part in activities that are sometimes off limits because of mobility and other restrictions.
SAFFE stands for Special Abilities Family Fun Event. Games, food and activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the World’s Richest Acre, 200 N. Commerce St., in downtown Kilgore.
Every kid-friendly activity is designed to accommodate children with special needs. That means ramps and lifts will be in place to provide accessibility to those in a wheelchair or walker and firefighters and other volunteers will be out in droves to hold hands, give high-fives and lend encouragement.
“The firefighters will become their best friends for the day,” says Mrs. Atchley.
The event is open to all children (no one will be turned away, says Mrs. Atchley) but special emphasis is being made to accommodate children with special needs. These are the kids who sometimes are left out.
Besides all the fun stuff, SAFFE Day provides a chance to spread the word about public safety education. Kids can go through the fire department’s Fire Safe House, fire trucks and ambulances.
SAFFE stands for Special Abilities Family Fun Event. Games, food and activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the World’s Richest Acre, 200 N. Commerce St., in downtown Kilgore.
Every kid-friendly activity is designed to accommodate children with special needs. That means ramps and lifts will be in place to provide accessibility to those in a wheelchair or walker and firefighters and other volunteers will be out in droves to hold hands, give high-fives and lend encouragement.
“The firefighters will become their best friends for the day,” says Mrs. Atchley.
The event is open to all children (no one will be turned away, says Mrs. Atchley) but special emphasis is being made to accommodate children with special needs. These are the kids who sometimes are left out.
Besides all the fun stuff, SAFFE Day provides a chance to spread the word about public safety education. Kids can go through the fire department’s Fire Safe House, fire trucks and ambulances.
Plans were formed after Chief Bellows returned from a firefighters’ convention with information about Overland Park’s event. The city of Kilgore, Region 7 Education Service Center, Kilgore Fire Department, Kilgore Firefighters Association and The Martin Companies all signed on as sponsors.
Activities and food are free, thanks to the sponsors and outpouring of community support.
Although it is not required, organizers are encouraging participants to register by going to the website cityofkilgore.com and clicking on the SAFFE DAY icon. Those who register will receive a free T-shirt.
Join Danny Mogle on the “In Touch With East Texas” radio show 6:30 a.m. Saturdays on KYKX FM 105.7 and The Ranch KKUS FM 104.1 and 6:30 a.m. on Sundays on KOOI “Sunny” FM 106.5.
Activities and food are free, thanks to the sponsors and outpouring of community support.
Although it is not required, organizers are encouraging participants to register by going to the website cityofkilgore.com and clicking on the SAFFE DAY icon. Those who register will receive a free T-shirt.
Join Danny Mogle on the “In Touch With East Texas” radio show 6:30 a.m. Saturdays on KYKX FM 105.7 and The Ranch KKUS FM 104.1 and 6:30 a.m. on Sundays on KOOI “Sunny” FM 106.5.
