REACH!

This past Saturday Ben and I volunteered at an organization called REACH in northwest Houston. REACH is an organization that provides programs for adults with learning and developmental disabilities. Ben is the Director of Community Service at his work for the new-hire group (sounds important, huh?) so he organized this event to volunteer at their annual Springfest. Ben's group was in charge of preparing and distributing the lunch, but he had so many volunteers, that some of us pretty much got to just hang out with the students and watch how these special people interact and particpate in the events. There was a walk-a-thon that we got to cheer the walkers on at, carnival games, fire trucks, a pony and some crazy car "art." It is pretty much impossible to spend time with this group and not smile. Their honesty and the pure joy on their faces cannot help but bring a smile to your face. And they have some serious dance moves! There was a DJ/karaoke area that was CRAZY!! They love to dance and sing and it was so fun to watch them. There was also one guy that came up to hug me multiple times and each time he would say, "I loooove you" and move on to the next person and do the exact same thing. How precious?!?! After spending the day at Springfest, it really made me want to be more like them- how happy the smallest thing like an encouraging word or a hug made them or how extremely friendly everyone was to people they just met.


Oh and here is the car "art" I mentioned earlier...it is COVERED inside and out in gameboards and pieces and has a bubble machine attached to the trunk! It was quite a sight...

Pretty cool, huh? I know everyone is just dying to do this to their own car now ;) The funny thing is, after seeing it up close and getting to inhale the exhaust put off by this little car, I bet the games on the car cost more than the actual car itself!