HAMLET — Nearly 100 special needs students from Richmond County’s elementary schools were treated to a schoolyear-end bash by American Legion Post 49 on Monday.
The event, sponsored by the post’s ladies auxiliary, included two bounce houses, a ladder truck from the Hamlet Fire Department and visits from McGruff the Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog. There was also a yoga class and line dance class.
Jeff Smart, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, manned the grill flipping burgers along with Rocky Norton and Robert Webster.
Students hailed from East Rockingham, Fairview Heights, L.J. Bell, Monroe Avenue, Washington Street and West Rockingham elementaries.
“This is our second summer doing it, and so we hope it’s a little bit bigger next year,” said Linda Murray.
The auxiliary also hosts a smaller winter event with a visit from Santa.
Murray said there were a lot of sponsors from around the county that helped with the event, including The Berry Patch which donated ice cream.
“A lot of people joined hands to do this and make it special for the special needs children, because they don’t get to go on a lot of trips,” Murray added.
Click here to see photos from the Special Olympics last month.
