Kits Help Special Rec Participants Connect While Apart

NEW LENOX, IL — Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses and organizations have had to close for periods of times and adjust operations and programming. At the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association in New Lenox, staff worked to brainstorm ideas on how to connect with the participants they served and began to create activity kits.

To create the kits, the association teamed up with Double Good for funding. Double Good, a popcorn fundraising company headquartered in Burr Ridge, donated $2,500 along with supplies and popcorn for the project.

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association Executive Director Keith Wallace said the idea for the kits came after bouncing different ideas around from other special recreation associations.

"We're trying to pivot and figure out how we can run programs, what else can we offer," Wallace said.

He said the association had between 50 and 75 families participating in virtual programming, so the association knew there would be families interested in the activity kits.

"We're trying to keep everybody active," Wallace said. The association started calling contacts for help creating the kits, and Double Good was able to help.

Tim Heitmann, CEO and founder of Double Good, said the Double Kids Foundation helps support children with disabilities.

Heitmann said providing funding and popcorn for the kits "was a good opportunity where [the foundation] could help."

The activity kits are available weekly and have a theme, like safari, under the sea or outer space. Each kit is decorated with different solo activities like word searches, puzzles or coloring sheets.

Superintendent of Recreation Melissa Jensen told Patch each kit also has an assortment of activities that participants will do with staff members over Zoom for a 2-hour, biweekly social program.

All the kits are pre-labeled and color coded to help participants to complete the activities as independently as possible, Jensen said.

"Some activities are for crafts like safari canvas painting or outer space mobiles while others include making slime or growing water beads for under the sea fishing games," Jensen said. The kits may also include some nonperishable snacks, and every session concludes with a Double Good session where participants try a new flavor of Double Good popcorn and share something good or exciting.

Wallace said the kits have received very positive feedback from participants and families.

"We were the social outlet for participants [before coronavirus], so we're still trying to fill that gap," Wallace said.