Residents@JV

S.M.I.L.E. Making Dreams Come True

March is National Disabilities Awareness Month and there are many events and presentations that recognize this program throughout Indiana and across the nation. The slogan for Indiana’s 2008 Disabilities Awareness Program is ‘Attitude is Everything’. Saturday morning, March 15, the Jacob’s Village bunch of: Debbie, Donna Kay, Wanda, Michael, Scott, and Home Coordinators Janice and Barry attended such an event at Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville, IN. Karin Macke, Program Director for Jacob’s Village, was taking advantage of this event and had an information table exhibiting the amenities at Jacob’s Village right inside the entrance of Swonder Ice Arena’s lobby. A S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome affiliated project, ‘Making Dreams Come True!’ was an Ice-Skating Event that was put on for and by disabled individuals presented by the Gold Medal Sponsors of: S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome Parent Network, The Evansville Association of Retarded Citizens (EARC), SouthWestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Laborer’s International Union Local 561, who helped underwrite the costs for the one day performance. S.M.I.L.E. on Downs Syndrome is a Division of Youth, Inc. of Southern Indiana and stands for Support, Management, Information, Love, and Encouragement, for families and care givers who are affected with this disability. Nina Fuller, founder of S.M.I.L.E. and Executive Director, has been expanding and broadening the impact of their mission since the inception of S.M.I.L.E in February of 2001. Kenny and Val Overton, strong supporters and charter members of S.M.I.L.E, played a big part in creating and helping this dream and awareness program become a reality for the community. Kiersten, their daughter, was one of the performers who skated in one of the ice skating dance routines. The other individuals performing at this ice skating event were of a mixed bag of talent. Special Olympians Katie Crawford and Katie Stamper made a special trip from Indianapolis to be a part of this Special Disability Awareness Event, ‘Making Dreams Come True!’. The Ice Skating Dance routines were as follows:

Morris Bruce and Grace Poole/with all skaters
‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’
Kyla Osborne
‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’
Katie Crawford
‘Strike up the Band’
Christin Thompson and Maria Bengert
‘Lean on Me’
Taylor Travis
‘Music from Chocolat’
Carmen Sidenbender
‘The Little Mermaid’
Amber Headley
‘Clumsy’
Kat5ie Stamper
‘You Raise Me Up’
Kiersten Overton/with all the skaters
‘Make a Wish’

There was a small turnout for this ice skating show, but for the ones who were in attendance, the show went on as scheduled and it was an outstanding exhibition of showmanship. Each act was a delight and joy to watch and the accompanying music was soothing and celebrant to the ear. If attending an event at Swonder Ice Arena, be sure to wear appropriate clothing; it’s an icebox. With the two ice skating rinks, the temperature must be set low to prevent the courts from thawing out. It is a cold place but that has to be expected and it should be of no surprise. Swonder Ice Arena, located next to Roberts Stadium at the intersection of Boeke and the Lloyd Expressway has 2 ice skating rinks inside with about 1,200 seating capacity for each, a state-of-the-art skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters, and a fitness/exercise center separating the 2 rinks. The new Swonder Ice Arena has many sporting events that are held year round. The University of Southern Indiana (USI) Ice Eagles Hockey Team uses it as their home court. There are also many youth and junior hockey leagues beginning to form and compete. And the big addition to the Swonder Ice Arena will be Evansville’s own professional Hockey Team the IceMen. The newly formedMidwest Hockey League, consisting of four teams; including Evansville’s, will use Swonder as a major outlet. The IceMen are set to begin their inaugural season, 2008-09, with a 40 game schedule in November. ‘Making Dreams Come True!’ an ice skating extravaganza, was an enjoyable event and Jacob’s Village was introduced to Swonder Ice Arena, and likewise. Maybe the new Evansville Icemen Hockey Team will become better acquainted with Jacob’s Village and create a relationship similar to what the Evansville Otters have done. Only time will tell if an exhibition Hockey Game will be played to benefit Jacob’s Village.

posted by J V Resident Blog @ 11:08 AM