by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The SkyZone Trampoline Park, 2510 South US-27, Clermont hosted a “Flying Stars” event on Thursday evening, May 4th. The event was specifically tailored for the special needs community and was limited to two-hundred participants. The special needs community is a tight knit group of parents, teachers, coaches and other devoted individuals that care for children and adults alike with either cognitive or developmental impairments such as autism. Programs that serve in Lake County such as The Miracle League and DreamPlex are examples of non-profit organizations that are committed entirely to the special needs community.
SkyZone Trampoline Park has stepped up to the special needs platform by offering a partnered, once-a-month evening of free fun, food and community support by opening its doors solely to special needs families. The event is limited by RSVPs only through a vetting system that was organized in part by Kandi Alexander, a strong advocate of the special needs community and parent of a special needs teen. Alexander relies on support from DreamPlex and other similar organizations to vet the applicants for participation in the event. The vetting is to ensure that the interested party meets special needs criteria. Thursday evening’s event drew 175 RSVP replies within 24 hours of being posted on Alexander’s social media, Facebook page, WEspeak: Parent Group@Lake County.
The participants enjoyed a visit from Read to Sydney’s, Sunny the Therapy Pup, the Clermont Police and Fire Departments and Spiderman himself. Once inside, the games began with trampoline challenges, free climb, drop slides and other fun entertainment that double as energy burners.
Parents and children alike were treated to free pizza and other goodies provided by SkyZone. Brett Siewert, SkyZone’s director would like to see the “Flying Stars” concept spread to other SkyZone organizations across the nation. Siewert is also seeking fiscal partners, including community civic organizations to help support the program financially.
Check out www.skyzone/clermont.com for event details.
