SYKESVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Cold temperatures and sunny skies greeted hundreds of runners and walkers Sunday afternoon at the 37th Annual Run/Walk for Someone Special in downtown Sykesville.
(Photo courtesy Erin Eberhart Cameron via The Arc of Jefferson and Clearfield Counties)
It was first held in 1979 and was the brainchild of the late Hap Mowrey who wanted to do something to help raise money for the Clearfield/Jefferson counties chapter of The Arc, an organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
His son, Pat, had the idea to do a run to raise money and nearly four decades later, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Camp Friendship, in Punxsutawney, and for DuBois, Brockway and Brookville, is the primary beneficiary of Sunday’s efforts. It is a free summer camp for children with special needs.
Welcomed disabilities include Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
School-aged children applying as campers must be part of a special education program in order to be eligible. Adults who were part of a special education program while in school are also welcome.
Participants will attend daily art, music, physical education and nature classes taught by certified teachers. In addition, organized group activities such as a camp birthday party, magician, Carnegie Science on the Road, and swimming are planned for each afternoon.
A nutritious morning and afternoon snack, as well as a hot lunch will be provided each day. However, if your camper has a very specific diet, you may need to provide alternative foods.
Camp Friendship is located near Reynoldsville, off Route 322.
Camp dates for people from Brockway, Brockville and DuBois are June 6–10. The day lasts from approximately 9:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
For more information, contact Marcie Plyler at marcieplyler@gmail.com or at 715-1757.
Camp dates for Punxsutawney are June 22-25 and June 29-July 1 with a parade set for July 2.
For more information, contact Betsy Buffington at betsygaffney@hotmail.com or 952-8376.
Erin Cameron and Bill Cuba Jr. are the co-chairmen of this year’s event.
Also, a Zumbathon was held Saturday morning at the Sykesville Town Hall to raise money.
For more information, go to jcarc.org.
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