Laura McGrew speaks about service opportunity
During Thursday chapel, FC students were challenged to make a difference in the community by volunteering for an upcoming event, Aug. 22. The challenge came from Laura McGrew, mother of freshmen Summer McGrew, and area director of the International Disability Center. She informed the student body of the opportunity to raise money for the Joni and Friends foundation through walking or rolling in a wheelchair, around the Chukchansi Stadium, Aug. 31.
The Walk ‘n’ Roll will start at 9 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. and all participants will be allowed to attend the event free of charge. Besides the opportunity to serve the community, get some exercise and meet new friends, the Joni foundation will also provide games and entertainment.
The Joni and friends foundation was originally started by Joni Eareckson Tada in 1979. Tada was paralyzed in both her arms and legs during a diving accident at 17 years old. During rehabilitation she experienced sadness and depression but overcame it through God and a paintbrush. She found out how to paint with her mouth and sold many beautiful and unique paintings.
When Tada reentered the community she wished to help other people with disabilities to reach their full potential. Her vision was not only to satisfy the physical needs of the disabled, but to satisfy their spiritual requirements as well. She founded Joni and friends with the purpose of reaching people and giving them a hope stronger than any weakness. Over the years she has written over 40 books, recorded musical albums and starred in a movie about her life.
Now FC students have the opportunity to continue the work that Tada started. The Walk ‘n’ Roll event will directly profit the Joni and Friends foundation and provide care for those with disabilities. Along with this the event will raise awareness of disability ministries in the Fresno area.
Freshmen Summer McGrew says that through the Joni and Friends organization she has been able to work with and impact the lives of the disabled. She also says that her work at the Wonder Valley Retreat in Sanger, CA, has allowed her to experience firsthand disability ministries.
“I have been a SMT (short term missionary) at Wonder Valley,” McGrew said. “It’s an awesome experience. You get to help kids with special needs and their parents too. I have also participated in a lot of other similar activities. It is a great opportunity to serve the community.”
As mentioned before the Walk ‘n’ Roll is completely free. However, there will be opportunities to sponsor, donate and fundraise. Fundraising packets for the event can be found in the high school office. A barbecue lunch, Grizzlies activities and several fun fair-related games will be provided for participant?s enjoyment.
There is a need of volunteers to help with these games and some basic chores. These volunteers can be sports teams, clubs or individuals. Volunteers who wish to help with games can either use some creativity and make their own idea or help out in already existent booths. In order to register as a volunteer, students should notify the Joni and Friends office.
Walk ‘n’ Roll is not only for the disabled, but their families and even for the volunteers. The Joni and Friends foundation partners with churches to lend aid and advice to families with disabled members. It also seeks to spread awareness and give the community a passion for helping those less fortunate.
Area Director of the international disability center, Laura McGrew says that the event can give students a deeper understanding of the way God loves us. She says that through this experience participants might be able to break down walls of discrimination within the world around them.
“I think that one of the most important things about what Joni and Friends teaches us, is that God created us in his image,” McGrew said. “It doesn’t matter if we are normal or have a disability, God loves us all the same. He wants us to love each other without prejudice and to be kindhearted to people who are less fortunate then us. We really learn about unconditional love when we see these families and kids who have experienced the effect of major or even minor disabilities.”
For more information, call the Joni and Friends foundation at 818.707.5664.
For more news, read the Aug. 21 article, SLIDESHOW: Picture day reinvented.
Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronlilne. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee and via Email: [email protected]
