COMMUNITY
Festival of Joy held Saturday
Sheriff Jared Miller presents a raffle basket to the Harris family.
Amy Drexler, Mary Wallace and daughter Sara, Claire Drexler and Jesse Askew and Cricket, Sara’s support dog.
Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Festival of Joy was held at Wakulla Springs on Saturday, Sept. 23, and activities included 8 carnival style booths with games, play area, cotton candy, shaved ice, hot dogs, popcorn, and cornhole. Activities also included exploring Wakulla Springs with a boat ride down the Wakulla River. Face painting, a photo booth, the opportunity to climb in a fire truck and meeting McGruff the Crime Dog as well as raffles and prizes every hour.
The event was provided by JOYful Journeys Foundation which creates and delivers events geared towards the specific requirements of special needs children in Wakulla County.
Exceptional Student Education teacher and volunteer Heather Bryan explained, “The events are a low-key inclusive event for the kids with special needs to get out and enjoy -who they are – surrounded by family and friends.”
Bryan noted many individuals on the autism spectrum engage in routine “stimming” – also known as self-stimulating behaviors or stereotypy, are repetitive body movements or repetitive movements of objects. Because of stimming, the music at the event was at a comfortable level and the prizes in the gift baskets were sensory accommodating.
Because of this stimming behavior, parents of ESE students sometimes feel uninvited to public events in fear of being disruptive or too loud. Director of JOYful Journeys, Mary Wallace, said, “These events are created to bridge the gap that there is nothing to do activity-wise for kids; at our events we want the kids and their families to feel safe and welcomed, they can feel they are engaged in their community, we want to open doors, everyone get invited and for parents and their kids to have the best time.”
Sara Wallace, daughter to Mary Wallace who is an ESE student herself, is titled as the Foundation’s Inspiration. Mary further explained, “After last year’s successful Prom Night event, my daughter Sara told me that we need to more activities, “For kids like me” and came up with the idea of the festival. She is my inspiration and warms my heart to see life through her eyes. These are events in which she feels comfortable at, and we want all the kids in Wakulla County to be able to have something that is their own and that they love and enjoy doing and feel comfortable being who they are. All the items and games were chosen with the kids in mind. Sara is so instrumental in picking everything out.”
JOYful Journeys unveiled their new mascot named ‘Joy’ at the event. Joy is a big happy smiley face who walks the event looking to bring smiles, take pictures and bring Joy to all she meets.
Yvette Howell, grandmother to Donovan and Dahlia Kirby said, “This event is such a huge blessing for the kids to be around their peers, have an adventure on the river and have fun in a designated place and designated for their abilities.”
Director Mary Wallace concluded with, “The main thing is to try to give as many activities as possible to these kids- because they don’t like to go out and socialize- at our events, they are a whole lot more comfortable, in smaller groups and around their friends. We want to be as accommodating as we can for them because we want to encourage them to live life to the fullest and feel safe and loved and that they matter.”
Wallace also said, “Thanks to all my sponsors, thanks to all my volunteers, thanks to my amazing Board Jesse and Amy, thanks to my amazing daughter Sara, thanks to God for putting me in the path of such amazing people and amazing community. None of this would be possible without each one of them.”
100% of funds raises goes directly back into funding and planning the next event. All events are free for kids with special needs.
To find out more about the Foundation, you can go to Facebook account.facebook.com/joyfilledjourneys or reach out to Mary Wallace 850-228-5667; a website will be coming soon.
The next event is on Dec. 7 with a JOY-Filled Christmas at Wakulla Springs Lodge from 6 to 8 p.m. Activities include pictures with Santa at a more inclusive level and presents, and more activities.
Events are for all ages from pre-K to adult, except for Prom events which are for middle school students and older.