La Grange Students Bowl With Adults With Disabilities

LA GRANGE, IL — Students from St. Francis Xavier School in La Grange teamed up with with adults with disabilities recently for a few games of bowling, according to a news release. The students helped participants with tasks from selecting balls to setting up ramps for players in wheelchairs and cheering on the participants.

On Dec. 6, a total of 57 sixth-graders from St. Francis Xavier took part in the event at the Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont. The South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation, or SEASPAR, was also involved.

The bowling event is one part of the 11-year partnership between SEASPAR and St. Francis Xavier. Annually since 2008, SEASPAR has hosted an Ability Awareness program for the sixth-grade class to educate the students about interacting with people with disabilities through activities such as wheelchair basketball and sign language practice.

In turn, the students, along with their parents and teachers, regularly volunteer at SEASPAR programs. St. Francis Xavier students have provided their assistance at regular events, including SEASPAR's Holiday Spectacular, Karate, Music Mania, Glee Club, Alley Cats, Strikers, Power Soccer and Turkey Shoot.

SEASPAR serves a number of suburbs, including Clarendon Hills, Darien, La Grange, Western Springs and Westmont.