CHINA GROVE — Footprints In The Community invites the public to play in its third annual Footprints on The Green Golf Tournament on May 18 at the Warrior Golf Course.
Footprints in the Community is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing participation of families of children with special needs in community activities. In 2011, Dr. Ashley Morgan Deaton and Dr. Kathy Bailey founded the organization committed to ensuring that children with special needs are afforded opportunities to participate in the typical offerings of the community in which their peers participate.
The organization offers several programs for children with special needs and their families, including two summer camps, community activities, and an equipment loaner program. This grassroots organization is run solely by volunteers and is overseen by Deaton, an occupational therapist specializing in complex feeding disorders and early intervention, and Bailey, a physical therapist certified in provision of assistive technology and specializing in accessibility and early intervention.
The two also co-own One Step At A Time Therapy Services. Along with Deaton and Bailey, board of directors members include Norma Honeycutt, executive director of Partners In Learning Child Development & Family Resource Center; Beth Anderson, occupational therapy assistant; and two parents of children with special needs, Paul Lucas and Jill Wagoner.
The golf tournament raises funds to support one of the two summer therapy camps. In the planning stages for the third summer, Footprints in the Community will again host a therapy-based, inclusive camp at North Hills Christian School. The camp aims to provide needed therapy activities to children who do not receive these services over the summer break.
The camp includes activities and field trips centered on speech, fine motor, gross motor, and academic skills. During the inaugural camp year in 2012, every child who attended increased his or her skill level by at least one level in one area, while several children improved in multiple areas. During the camp’s second year in 2013, every camper with special needs increased skills in two of four areas, half of campers with special needs increased skills in three of four areas, and one-third of campers with special needs increased skills in all four areas.
“We’re so grateful for the community support we have received over the past three years,” Deaton said. “Our programs are not possible without this generous support that make such a true difference for children with special needs.”
Sponsorship opportunities for the tournament are still available. The golf tournament will begin at 2 p.m. with a shotgun start, following a lunch for players. The entry fee is $50 per player and includes lunch and greens/cart fees. To register and learn about sponsorship opportunities for the tournament visit www.footprintsinthecommunity.com .