Future center holds first benefit event

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  • Brad Cummings (left), Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace, is dunked into the tank as event organizer Clay Pirtle helps the ball thrower hit the target. According to Pirtle, 110 people preregistered for the event, and several registered at the event. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
    Brad Cummings (left), Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace, is dunked into the tank as event organizer Clay Pirtle helps the ball thrower hit the target. According to Pirtle, 110 people preregistered for the event, and several registered at the event. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
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Community

Community members once again demonstrated how much they “C.A.R.E.” at Saturday’s first Walk ’n’ Roll for Disability Awareness at Celebration Plaza.

The event raised almost $4,000, which will benefit the future C.A.R.E. (Community, Ability, Recreation, Energy) Center of Sulphur Springs, a planned community service facility that will offer recreational activities, yoga and dance classes, job assistance and training for special needs children and adults, as well as support, service, awareness and inclusion for them and their families.

“Our first event was a huge success thanks to the community of Sulphur Springs,” said C.A.R.E. Center founder and event organizer Clay Pirtle. “We want to thank everyone who came out to participate, volunteer, watch and donate for helping make the first Walk ‘n’ Roll for Disability Awareness such a great event. Also, a huge thank you goes to the City of Sulphur Springs for making our downtown area so accessible.”

Attendees enjoyed guest speakers, music, games and play areas, as well as a dunk tank manned by local celebrities, including local law enforcement officers, coaches, educators and other personalities.

“We received $2,373 in online donations prior to the event and raised an additional $1,254 on Saturday,” Pirtle said. “The dunking booth raised $444, and the rest came from t-shirt sales, donations and Howdy Homemade ice cream. Overall, we raised $3,627. We had 112 participants register ahead of time, with 10 more onsite registrations Saturday. We also had many people who participated but didn’t register.”

To learn more about the C.A.R.E. Center and its mission, visit www.facebook.com/C.A.R.E.CenterSS.