Families walk to support those with special needs

Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Parents and children were all smiles Saturday, Oct. 12 for the Community CARES (Community Advocating Resources to Every Special Citizen) Walk and Expo at Liberty Park.

The event raises awareness and provides information concerning health, wellness, safety, and education to the community and those with special needs. The Clarksville Association for Down Syndrome (CADS) and Clarksville Parks and Recreation partnered to make the event possible.

Many families dressed in matching shirts designed with their team names, which recognized the special members of their families who they supported during the walk through the park.

Trish Hanna, mother of a child with special needs in Clarksville, helped organize the event last year. “We decided it was time to make a difference,” she said.
Over 50 vendors set up booths at the event, many of which provided important information for families. “Sometimes you’re not sure what resources are in the community,” Hanna said. “It’s good to get those vendors together to show what we have available.”

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit programs like Technology for Teachers which will award nine IPads to Special Education classrooms in different schools in Montgomery County. Other programs include Totes for Teaching, which gives new and expecting parents a tote with information on Down syndrome, and the Making Memories Program, which annually gives a trip to a family nominated by the community.

Find more information about CADS here.