2020 Events

Ice Skating at the Pettit Center

Hales Corners Lutheran Church “Buddy Break”

March 14, 2020

Hales Corners Lutheran Church “Buddy Break”

Fishing Derby at the Dailey Pond

Henry’s smile says it all! What a blessed day!

“oh my gosh … We did have a lot of fun … I wish we would’ve been able to come other years but it’s so hard we are always either camping or Mason has soccer games and we’re so glad it was able to finally work out this year. Everyone was so nice and so helpful. I know Mason wants to build a pond in the backyard just like what they have. Mason Josh and Blake enjoy fishing so much. I enjoy watching them Fish and I think that Tyler and Ethan do too they just like being outside and watching people.  Tyler has always been a people watcher.”
And then there’s Jacob ❤️ the young guy who wont eat anywhere other than home. As a rule, he will not eat in public places …yet he ate lunch at the derby. He felt so loved and relaxed (which I think is one of the huge benefits of being outdoors and near water)

His mom said “I have tears filled eyes knowing that Jim was so touched by Jacob.  Just knowing that Jim took note of how difficult this new situation was for Jacob’s anxiety is sweet. A volunteer named Pat was so helpful and soft spoken to Jacob. He was one reason why Jacob became comfortable and when Max came out, that helped too”
Sweet Lexie – one of the past Foundation “Heroes”. Remember how hard we had to work to get her off the porch and down by the water in the past??? The first year she came, she had to utilize a wheelchair and in future years, it was very difficult for her to come down by the water by all the people. This year she independently moved from grouping to grouping of people to joyfully greet them in her own way 
Michael expressed total and complete joy at being in a boat for the first time in decades and rowing for the first time ever!

Michael suffers from frequent seizures and unfortunately experienced one shortly after these photos were taken…But in these moments, he was totally free and strong and filled with such joy!
Look at the difference in posture from year 1 to year 5 for Jon. I know we talked a bit about it yesterday – how he saw Ron grab the boat and Jon then marched right over, put on the life jacket and was the first one in  (and didn’t want to come out!) What a contrast to that first year. Goodness, we couldn’t even move him beyond the floor of the boat in front of me year 1

This year he’s all the way on the other side of the boat from me, sitting so proud and independent and didn’t want the ride to end.