Thursday afternoon, clients and staff of Hetlinger Developmental Services were treated to a fun and active day outdoors thanks to local volunteers and law enforcement.
The seventh annual Hetlinger Field Day filled the afternoon schedule for Hetlinger clients with a range of activities, including biking, bean bag tossing, bubble making, and more. The event, as always, was co-organized by Team Schnak Strong, Hetlinger and local law enforcement from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Emporia Police Department.
The event also comes at a time when more and more activities are taking place in the community to shine a light on special needs residents. Kent Schnakenberg of Team Schnak Strong says the increase in desire for community involvement is not a surprising development.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch agrees, saying it is their way of “giving something back to the world.”
Officer Bradley Logsdon of EPD says he and his fellow officers are not only happy to be involved, but they’re happy that the clients look forward to their involvement each year.
Hetlinger Director Jill Burton tells KVOE News that the field day is always circled on their calendar and is enjoyed by both staff and clients alike. She says more than just a fun and active day, it’s an opportunity to further one of the agency’s core missions.
The field day comes at a busy time for Hetlinger, which just completed its first-ever art and plant sale and is getting set for the reopening of the Carnivore Cafe at the David Traylor Zoo next week.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
