Altamaha Down Syndrome Society to Host Sensory-Friendly Easter Event
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
The Altamaha Down Syndrome Society will host a sensory-friendly Easter Event for individuals with special needs and their families from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Community House on Sunday, April 6.
The Altamaha Down Syndrome Society (ADSS) was established in 2021 to help provide a supportive community for individuals with special needs and their families, and to help to spread awareness and acceptance for these individuals. Founder Stacie Randolph explained that she created the nonprofit organization in honor of her daughter, Brantley Grace (BG), who was born in 2015.
“After having BG, I realized that there are not a lot of community organizations for those with special needs and their families. We had done a few events with the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, but they’re all the way in Savannah. We wanted to make something here locally that would allow our kids to experience things without sensory troubles, and that would allow families to connect,” she remarked.
Randolph said that she named the organization after Down Syndrome because of her daughter’s condition, but the group is for anyone with any type of special needs. “It’s not just for those with Down Syndrome – it’s for everyone,” she clarified. “We’ve had several different individuals attend our events and everyone is truly comfortable and relaxed around each other –we all understand each other.”
Randolph recently stepped down as the Executive Director of the group because of becoming the Montgomery County Probate Judge; her oldest daughter, Kaylee Randolph, now works to lead the organization. “I have always worked alongside my mom in planning activities and working with ADSS, so I’m very excited to get to continue to lead these events,” Kaylee Randolph commented.
She continued, stating the group will be hosting a sensory-friendly Easter Party for those in the community with special needs and their families. “I understand how stressful and overwhelming a big Easter egg hunt may be for those with special needs; I want to give these people the chance to enjoy the same fun but in an environment which will not trigger any issues with them,” Randolph added.
The event will feature an egg hunt, visit from the Easter Bunny, and other fun activities. Attendees do not have to have previously attended any ADSS event; all individuals with special needs and their families are welcome.
For more information, call or text Kaylee at (912) 253-1447.
