Respite Games at St. Anne's Spirit Day - September 20th, 2014

GARDEN CITY, New York (August 24, 2014) Many will say there is something for everyone on Spirit Day. But, one could go further to say that there is something to make everyone smile at Spirit Day. And nothing brings more joy to the faces of participants and spectators alike than Saint Anne’s Respite Games. The event, now part of the Spirit Day traditions for the last several years, kicks off at 12 noon with activities planned especially for parish families who have children with special needs.

Organized by Saint Anne’s Special Needs Ministry, the Respite Games offer a sampling of the year-long Respite Care program, which provides wonderful evenings of fun and friendship for children who have special needs from the age of 5 on through young adulthood. Saint Anne’s Respite Care program meets on various Friday evenings at Saint Anne’s throughout the year. It is centered on the relationship between the special children and their volunteer buddies, both teens and adults, who partner with them for a light dinner and some great activities, which include sports, music, games and arts and crafts projects.

According to John Rakowski, who leads the activities at the Respite Games and has served as a Respite volunteer for many years, “My life became so much more significant when I got involved in Respite. To be able to pal around with these kids is such a blessing.”

The Church of St. Anne in Garden City hosts the 12th annual Spirit Day on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 1-10pm with rides, games and music all day and evening. The day is punctuated with a beautiful celebration of Mass outdoors at 5pm and the exciting Big Bucks Raffle drawing at 10pm. Winner need not be present. Families from the parish who have special needs children and are interested in participating in the Respite Games on Spirit Day are invited to contact Linda Leone at St. Anne’s Parish office at 352-5904.