Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Holiday Bowl in Altoona held the 13th Annual Blair County Strikes Back Bowling Bash on July 30, 2021. The bash raised money and awareness for families with autistic members in the community.
Profits will be used to assist with needs of those in Blair County with an autism spectrum disorder. New programs will be developed, and direct support will go to families and individuals affected by autism through the efforts of Community Connection. Assistance will be given to Dreams Go On Therapeutic Riding Program and the Central Pa. Autism Community Organization. Efforts will be continued to seek out others in the community that need assistance.
Charla G. Brumbaugh, owner and consultant of Community Connection, oversaw the event and fundraising.
Debbie Kelly is the Program Manager for Dreams Go On, Inc. Her phone number is (814) 312-2614. The horses for the program are at Lake View Stables 1401 Turkey Valley Road, Hollidaysburg.
Children are accepted to the program who are emotionally and physically challenged.
There are eight horses presently in the program. Fifty-eight people are enrolled, and five of them are adults. A waiting list is in place.
The horses are unique to the needs of the riders. For example, they sense what the child is feeling. They have been squeezed, tickled and remain patient and seem to have an unending rapport with the rider. Stopping completely when they know a child is not sitting properly is just one of their many attributes. They also seem to pose for the camera. Included in the program is daily chores such as grooming.
Many games have been done from the back of the horses such as baseball, blowing bubbles, basketball. All staff has state and national certifications.
This organization has grown and is trying to raise money to build their own barn for their horses. Presently, the horses are boarded with other horses who are not trained or acceptable for this program. All and any donations are being accepted.
On Oct. 3, the 15th Annual Lehman Engineers Horse Trail Ride & Walk will be held at Canoe Creek State Park in Hollidaysburg. All proceeds will support Dreams Go On. This year's Goodwill ambassador will be Emma Brooks. Brooks is a 16-year-old young woman with autism. She has been part of Dreams Go On for five years. This has played a huge role for her gaining strength and independence through her journey. She has advanced to riding independently and is progressing to riding a variety of horses. You can register at http://www.LehmanEngineers.com/dgo/ or by calling (814) 695-7500.
On Oct. 15, Dreams Go On will be hosting "Night at The Races." This will be held at the Bavarian Aid Society (112 S. 13th St., Altoona). Gates open at 5:45 p.m. and a catered meal will be served at 6 p.m. with races to follow at 7 p.m.
Call Dana Gority at (814) 327-7866 with questions or to purchase tickets.
The top fundraising team was Randy Moyer Auto Glass.
Some facts about autism
• One in 54 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• One in 34 diagnosed are boys and 1 in 144 are girls
• Research indicates that genetics are involved in the vast majority of cases
• Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups
• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year
• There is no medical detection for autism
• Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across a lifespan
The following are some "red flags" that may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder:
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
• No babbling by 12 months
• No back-and-forth gestures such a pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
• No words for 16 months
• No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating by 24 months
• Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
Reader Comments(0)