Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 • A 15
A place for kids – all kids – to play JUMP accessible playground group holds fundraiser Nov. 17
JUMP on board WHO: Daring Greatly with Buck Ellard and DJ Dev WHAT: Benefit for JUMP WHEN: 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17
KATIE KOWALSKI NEWS@PTLEADER.COM
WHERE: Highway 20 Roadhouse, 2152 W. Sims Way
Four-year-old Judah has always been a step behind his big brother, Hunter. “Hunter was off like a bolt, but Judah was in the background, trying to figure out what he could do,” said their mother, Amie Haskins, reflecting on what it’s been like taking her two young sons to the playground. Until February of this year, 4-year-old Judah hadn’t yet begun to walk and couldn’t keep up with 6-year-old Hunter. Judah was born with Angelman syndrome, and grew up using a walker. His family wondered if he’d ever be able to walk. When Haskins took her boys to the playground, Judah couldn’t navigate the playground or walk on the peat moss. Sitting in the swings was also difficult, and the slides were too steep. “We just found that there was nothing in the area that our boys could do together.” Haskins is one of the members of an organization working to get an accessible playground built in Jefferson County. Even though Judah can now walk, he would greatly benefit from an accessible playground, Haskins said, and she’s hoping to pay it forward so that other parents of children with disabilities can benefit in the future. The organization, called JUMP (Jefferson Universal Movement Playground), has been approved to build a playground at H.J. Carroll Park, and has been raising funds since this summer. JUMP is holding its first official fundraising event on Friday, Nov. 17 with a concert at the Highway 20 Roadhouse.
COST: $10 suggested donation JUMP is the organization driving the fundraising project to build a playground for all kids, but in particular, those with motor challenges. The band, Daring Greatly, was personally chosen by Jon Bon Jovi to open for his band in Las Vegas in February, and it plays covers of 1960s and ’70s bands – including the Beatles; Steve Miller; Eric Clapton; Crosby, Stills and Nash – and originals. The band also presents an ASB fundraiser from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Chimacum High School auditorium, 91 W. Valley Road. For more information, go to: jumpplayground.org.
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SENIOR AND BEGINNER Classes at PT Athletic Club to keep you in active and healthy this winter season! Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Mobility Classes, Low Impact Aerobics and More! Easy to use strength and cardio equipment. Low Senior Rates! www.porttownsendathletic.com (360) 385-6560 169504 11/15
project. She spearheaded Friday’s JUMP fundraising concert, which features Daring Greatly, a band that’s also playing a Chimacum ASB fundraiser on Wednesday night. “It does start with baby steps,” she said of the process. At the same time, “You can drag these things out to the point where you get discouraged,” she said. “You want to make sure that this happens while the Judah (left), age 4, just began walking this year and is starting to keep up with his brother, Hunter, 6. kids are still little.” Their mother, Amie Haskins, is a member of a group working toward the construction of an accessible She wants to see the playground in Jefferson County. Courtesy photo girls and boys in wheelchairs be able to integrate with their walking peers this is a marathon, not better playground with place to play,” she said. – and also have a place a sprint,” McNulty said. more movement options,” The idea to build a where grandparents using “We’re going to be on a said McNulty who worked playground first came walkers can bring their journey.” with Grossman at the about when three children grandkids to play. The project is estimated school. Having an inclusive who couldn’t walk came to All those working on the to cost $220,000, which playground would benefit Chimacum Creek Primary project said it’s important includes a 10-year mainall children in the county School and were unable to to have a place where and bring them together for tenance fee. So far, the use the school’s existing kids of all mobility levels group has raised $10,000, collaborative play. playground. can integrate and play mostly from personal Others then came on Judah was one of those together. donations, and a recent board to form the all-volunstudents. “Kids need to twist, $1,000 grant from the Port to spring, to jump,” said teer JUMP organization. When a bond to help IN AGREEMENT Townsend Sunrise Rotary Sarah McNulty, an occu- renovate that campus failed, Haskins, who looks ON A JOURNEY Club, Grossman said. She Chimacum School District pational therapist for the forward to seeing a space “We are still in the early also noted that Jefferson physical therapist Sarah Chimacum School District, where her son can easily stages of fundraising,” Healthcare has committed Grossman proposed buildis another JUMP board play with his brother, $15,000, and she is to meet cousins and peers. “This ing an accessible playground McNulty said. member. She said that for The upcoming concert with Kiwanis soon. any project she works on, it’s that would be accessible to offers other kids and family is both a fundraiser and Kim Pratt, a recently important that there be one all kids in the county. members such a great retired speech pathologist “We realized there’s a lot a way to increase public thing everyone can agree on. space,” she said. “It’s an awareness. for the school district, came integration of everybody of kids in the community “We can all be for giving “I keep saying that on board to help with the that could benefit from a kids with special needs a into one circle.”
STAY ACTIVE and Fit this Winter with a Membership at the Port Townsend Athletic Club! Cardio Equipment, Free Weight, Circuit Stations, Sauna/Jacuzzi, Racquetball Court, over 70 Group Fitness Each Week and Much More! Affordable seasonal memberships available! www.porttownsendathletic.com (360) 385-6560 169505 11/15
Jefferson Co. Library Early Literacy Programs Mondays @ 10:15 am - Toddler Storytime For children ages 12 months to 30 months, Toddler Storytime promotes early learning through movement, music, puppets, fingerplays, flannel stories and the reading of short books written with toddlers in mind. Tuesdays @ 10:30 am - Babytime This 30-minute lapsit program is for infants from birth to 12 months. Babytime features action rhymes, baby sign language, songs and movement designed to stimulate brain development through music, language and books. Wednesdays @ 10:30 am - Preschool Storytime Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and more, designed to promote early learning. Preschool Storytime is followed by a craft or activity that encourages social, literacy and fine motor skills. All events listed are free and are held at the library, located at 620 Cedar Avenue, Port Hadlock, unless noted otherwise. For more information please see our website at www.jclibrary.info or call 360-385-6544. Continued on page 16▼
Country Christmas Dec 9th & 10th
Sat 10am-6pm | Sun 11am-3pm www.portgamble.wix.com/ countrychristmas
Merry Christmas!
Salty Sue .. says .
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“The Artful Sailor ’s for has special special sailors!
Tree Lighting & Fireworks: Saturday @ 5pm er Building inn g Port Gamble Theater provided by:
Meet me at the Co-op Alcove on Wednesday, Nov. 22!”
Santa's Workshop $5/child | Saturday 11am-4pm Sunday 11am-3pm $5/child & hosted by:
Whole Earth Nautical Supply www.theartfulsailor.com