7th Annual Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities Rolls out Plans for Recreational Activities Based on Abilities not Disabilities
Nation's largest free event for those with physical and/or intellectual challenges to offer vast array of physical participation for special needs guests attending March 21, 2015 in Boca Raton, FL.
- West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL (1888PressRelease) March 17, 2015 - South Florida's annual celebration of diversity, the Boca Raton based Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities (http://boatingbeachbash.com), announced today that it has teamed with the physical therapy professionals from Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital at the Delray Medical Center, to offer attendees at this year's Bash a variety of exciting physical challenges and learning opportunities.
"We plan to equip guests at this year's event with challenging, fun exercises they can take back home and use in their daily lives," says Tiffany Charlson, Recreational Therapist at Pinecrest. "We're focusing on abilities not disabilities," she adds, "so that everyone will leave the Bash at the end of the day feeling they've learned something useful they can incorporate into their daily lives."
Offerings at this year's event, which is Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Spanish River Park, located at 3001 N Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton, include:
- Beach volleyball.
- Surfboard demonstrations.
- Wheelchair yoga.
- Laughing yoga.
- Kayaking demonstrations.
- Obstacle courses.
- Football toss.
- Hoola hoops.
- Dancing.
- Kite flying.
Now in its seventh year, the Bash has grown to become the largest, free fun day in the nation for individuals with physical and/or intellectual challenges. Started in 2009, Bash attendance now hovers around 5,000 guests from all across South Florida. They are assisted by 500 volunteers from every sector of the community, including colleges, high schools, churches, synagogues, civic clubs and local industry. In addition to the sporting aspects of the event, guests receive free park admission, boat rides aboard dozens of private yachts, a BBQ lunch, nonstop concert, arts and crafts lessons, and so much more.
"We're very excited that this year we'll have America's favorite celebrity pig with us, Chris P. Bacon, along with more than a dozen action heroes like Captain America, Superman and Batman, plus dozens of therapy ponies and pups for our guests to enjoy," says Bash director Jay Van Vechten.
There will also be professional kite flyers, a display of motorcycles, a special visit from Ronald McDonald and at the heart of the event, a body, mind and spirit meditation center, where among other things, attendees can have fun trying laughing yoga, or even wheelchair yoga.
"We have something for everyone," adds Van Vechten, who notes, "The day also celebrates caregivers and the family members who offer daily support to our special needs guests. These are the unsung heroes that we'll embrace on the 21st."
The Bash is made possible by private donations and support from throughout the South Florida area, but particularly from the members of Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca, which have provided boats, golf carts, food service support and more for Bash organizers since the first year of the event.
"What makes the Bash so special," says Van Vechten, "is that it is grassroots through and through. We're not funded by the city, the county or the state, with every penny we receive coming from friends and neighbors."
The Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities is run by the American Disabilities Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity. There are no salaries and no overhead, because everyone involved works from their home, meeting up as needed to keep each other updated.
For more information or to make a donation to the Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities go to http://boatingbeachbash.com. Follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boatingbeachbash. To volunteer or sponsor the event, contact Jay Van Vechten at (561) 715-2622 or at jay ( @ ) boatingbeachbash dot com dot Or at PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL 33429
About Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities
Originally founded in 2008 by members of the City of Boca Raton Advisory Board for People with Disabilities the Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities was created as a unique, fun way to salute people with disabilities and their caregivers by celebrating diversity in South Florida. In 2012 the Bash was no longer a City sponsored event, and for the first time stood on its own. Held every March, the event is now completely organized and run by community volunteers and is funded through private donations and sponsorship. For more information, visit http://boatingbeachbash.com/, or like Boating and Beach Bash on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BoatingBeachBash).
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