Kilgore’s Special Abilities Family Fun Event returns Sept. 17

Posted 9/7/16

More and more people are getting involved with Special Abilities Family Fun Event (SAFFE) Day, Johnny Bellows says, and as the fifth annual event approaches in mid-September, he hopes more and more …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Kilgore’s Special Abilities Family Fun Event returns Sept. 17

Posted

More and more people are getting involved with Special Abilities Family Fun Event (SAFFE) Day, Johnny Bellows says, and as the fifth annual event approaches in mid-September, he hopes more and more will reap the benefit of coming together in downtown Kilgore and celebrating special abilities.

“I think it’s been a very good awakening for everyone that’s involved,” Kilgore’s fire chief says. Free and open-to-the-public, the event helps people overcome barriers and fears, Bellows adds, as they see how special each individual is. “I see it in my own self.”

The Special Abilities Family Fun Event is on the lookout for Everyday Heroes - special needs children and adults, their families and caregivers - to visit downtown Kilgore Saturday, Sept. 17, and find a slew of activities specially-tailored for them from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Set near Kilgore’s World’s Richest Acre (100 S. Commerce Street), people with special needs and abilities find SAFFE Day is custom-fit for their ‘normal,’ one everyone can enjoy.

“A day when they can come downtown and they are not looked upon as being different,” he said. “This is the fifth year. Can you believe it? It gets bigger and better every year.”

Community-funded, the event includes a variety of games, challenges and opportunities that can be enjoyed by people with or without special needs. Everyone is welcome, Simpson said, to #BeAHero as they enjoy free food, drinks, entertainment and more.

“We invite our special guests to be a hero, for their family and caretakers to participate.”

In addition to the main event Sept. 17, this year SAFFE Day’s organizers will continue spreading the word about their guests through a red-carpet premiere of the documentary “Everyday Heroes.” Shot by director Chip Hale and his crew from Overton Films in Fall 2015, the 40-minute film features volunteers, firefighters, special needs guests and others to tell the SAFFE story.

Nominated for Best Documentary Short at the Austin Revolution Film Festival, SAFFE Day’s local showing of “Everyday Heroes” is set for Thursday, Sept. 15, at Kilgore’s 4 Star Cinema (1607 US Hwy. 259). SAFFE Day’s 2016 Special Needs Ambassador - 11-year-old Ryan Bailey - will be on-hand along with the event’s mascot, Blazze, Thursday night before officially opening SAFFE Day at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

Tickets to the Thursday night event should be reserved in advance by calling Simpson at 903-988-4112. Admission is free - SAFFE Day organizers will gladly accept donations throughout the events.

Free to all guests, the Special Abilities Family Fun Event Day is supported by local contributions and sponsorships: anyone interested in donating to the nonprofit 501(c)3 can get more information from Simpson or by email beahero@saffeday.org. Donations can also be made online at SAFFEday.org.