Photo supplied.
Pictured are members of the Friendship Force with Fire Prevention / Training Officer Eyddie Vandenberg and Fire Chief Bill Balfour who are passing along a donation of $1500 from the Millbrook Cavan Firefighters Association to support this new social program.
In June a story about a new social program for adults with different abilities called Friendship Force described a new weekly program at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre that was launched by three local women.
rogram participants are on the Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a developmental disability that affects how they interact with others. The organizers have sons with this condition and launched this program to provide them with a regular opportunity for social activities with a group of their peers. Tuesday afternoons, the group meets and activities include board games, music, crafts and physical activities. Occasionally, guests drop in to share a story or skill with the group.
On May 30th, Cavan Monaghan Fire Department staff welcomed Friendship Force participants to explore the fire equipment and talk about fire prevention.
Last week Fire Chief Bill Balfour and Fire Prevention/Training Officer Eydie Vandenberg returned to deliver a donation of $1500 from the Millbrook Cavan Firefighters’ Association. Members of this volunteer group are all local active or retired local firefighters. In addition to maintaining the Old Fire Hall Museum on Hay St., the group raises funds to support other organizations in the community, often through “Boot Drives” where donations are literally collected in a firefighter boot.
If you would like to support this group, donations of snacks, games, art supplies or even cash are always welcome. Anyone with a special skill they care to share with the group- musicians, magicians, crafters, athletes, etc.- would enrich the program by providing unique experiences for the participants. KG
