Numerous local organizations have felt the impact, in recent months, of changes resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
The area’s special-needs population is among them, as evidenced by events being canceled or put on hold for People First of Henry County.
People First canceled its annual Spring Festival and its accompanying egg hunts last month due to COVID-19, as well as a dance that was to be held at the end of April.
Kristy Dobbs is one of three directors for the nonprofit group, along with Melissa Howard and Pamela Young-Wynn. Dobbs said directors are keeping an eye on the Special Olympics calendar to determine when to resume events for the local special-needs community.
“We follow Special Olympics, so until they open, we are not going to open,” said Dobbs. “The egg hunt and the dance were canceled. We are hoping to reopen after July.”
People First holds free social events throughout the year for individuals with special needs and their families. Such events, over the years, have included festivals, concerts, Bingo nights and fundraisers.
The group has scheduled a virtual walk for June 27. Howard said details about the walk will be announced in the coming days. The group’s participants, she said, were unable to attend a local stage production together recently, as was previously planned.
She said additional changes are in the works for the near future, in light of COVID-19.
“It looks like we will be officially canceling the Ricky Craig Walk-a-Thon, normally scheduled for the end of July,” said Howard. “But, we are currently trying to put together a virtual walk for the end of June. We’ve had a company offer to match our funds up to $3,000, so even though times are tough, that is our goal so that when things are safe again we can start planning fun events soon.”
Howard said a number of People First participants, friends or family members have fragile or compromised immune systems. She said hosting events with large crowds would be dangerous for such individuals during the pandemic.
“We don’t want to risk anyone’s health, and want all our friends safe,” said Howard.
For more information, visit www.peoplefirstofhenrycounty.org or the group’s Facebook page.
