Hi! We are starting a new feature to highlight some of the many amazing volunteers we have here at the park. Hope you enjoy!

-Jennifer

Jomel in his favorite area to volunteer – the swings!

Name: Jomel Crayton

Post by Anne Bristol, Development Director

Odds are all of us can be a hero to someone; in fact, many of you probably already are. But can a place be a hero too?

In my opinion, this amazing park we call Morgan’s Wonderland is a hero. The park makes true inclusion possible and empowers individuals with special needs to experience and try things they never thought they could. Sometimes, it is the 52-year-old woman who is wheel chair bound and is able to swing for the first time.  Or it might be the man in his 20’s who is autistic and has found a place where he can play in the sand circle – and be accepted by others playing along side.

Because I am blessed to work at Morgan’s Wonderland, I am able to witness heroic people every day.  The other day I watched a little boy who had just “graduated” from his gait training program as he walked from the Welcome Center to the Butterfly Playground with the aid of his walker; this was a first. He is a hero.  I also have the honor of knowing a woman who works at the park who has defied all medical odds. Not only did she survive a brain aneurism in her twenties, but also she went on to walk, talk, drive, give birth to a child and work: all things the doctors didn’t think she would do. She is a hero.

You can be a hero too. You don’t have to build anything or overcome great obstacles. You can be a hero by making a monthly gift commitment to Morgan’s Wonderland by joining our Heroes’ Club.

In the first 14 months of operation, we have had visitors from all 50 states and 34 countries! We have created a simple online way for you to help the park continue to be a hero to countless people from all over the world. Your monthly gift in any amount with which you feel comfortable makes you one of OUR heroes!

Follow the link and join the Morgan’s Wonderland Heroes’ Club today!

Below is information from our Program Director, Nancy, on the Morgan’s Wonderland Marathon team – their next meeting is Thursday so consider coming by to learn more and consider joining!

-Jennifer

It is hard to believe the 2011 San Antonio Rock ‘n Roll Marathon is just three months away!   This summer has been so hot it has been hard finding a good time for our team to train.  We have moved evening training from 6:30 to 7:00 to 7:30 and it is still 100 degrees out.  Fortunately, this has not dampened the spirits of our team members.  Currently we have 28 team members and hope to have more by the end of August.

Being a part of our marathon team is invigorating.  Every participant is a unique indispensible part of the team.  Our returning team members have great advice for the new members about fund raising and how to beat the heat, while the new team members challenge the team to a new level – guiding more first time marathoners and keeping up with a few more seasoned runners. Don’t let the term “seasoned runners” keep you from the team – this group of runners are great help to all the walkers, rollers and newbies!

San Antonio Rock ‘n Roll Marathon is November 13, 2011.  Each team member is challenged to raise funds and build their fitness level to complete the half (13.1 miles) or full marathon (26.2 miles).  We are an INCLUSIVE team with walkers, runners and rollers. No team member is ever alone and we are all here to encourage one another to the end!

On Thursday, August 18, 2011 we will be holding the final Morgan’s Wonderland Rock ‘n Roll Marathon recruitment meeting at 7:00 pm in the Event Center Gym.  This meeting is for everyone who is still interested in joining the team as a member to participate in the half and full marathon AND those who want to be part of the team as support.

The support team members participate by doing things such as:

·         Manning water stops at practices

·         Assist in fund raising

·         Cheer groups along the marathon route on November 13^th.

·         Attending workouts for mutual support but not participating in the marathon event

·         Manning the Morgan’s Wonderland booth at the finish line on November 13^th.

There is no obligation to join the team by attending the meeting.  This team is both a health and fitness team as well as fund raising team.

For more information about the team please email me at: programs@morganswonderland.com

Thanks, Nancy Mendez-Hodgkinson

 FAQ’s -

Can I still join?

YES!  We meet – Monday and Thursday’s 7:30 – 9:00pm and Saturday mornings at 7:30.  You can come by the park any of those days to pick-up team information and talk to a trainer.

Do we have to go to all the meetings?

NO!  You can have your own training if you would like; however there is one meeting a month that is required to get team information and updates.

Does Morgan’s Wonderland supply a training guide?

YES! We have all materials you need to develop a solid training program for the November event.

Can I bring a team?

YES!  We encourage teams.

Where does the money go?

ALL the fundraising goes to Morgan’s Wonderland.  We do not have promoters or any outside parties we have to pay with the exception of the race registration fee for each participant.

Below Dave Force, our General Manager explains more about the Walk of Fame. Hope you enjoy!

-Jennifer

By Dave Force, General Manager

Here at the world’s first park designed for the special-needs community, but built for everyone, the focus is on providing an environment that changes people’s lives.  Each day we witness an individual participating in an activity that he or she has not yet experienced. It may be riding on a carousel, building a sand castle or merely swinging on a specially designed swing such as our popular wheelchair-accessible swings.

Observing these special moments is extremely inspiring and fulfilling to us and reinforces our commitment to positively affect others.   We know that other individuals also positively impact the special-needs community.   These individuals themselves might have a special need that requires fortitude and perseverance, or it might be someone who has found a way to bring something new or different to the special-needs community.

With that in mind, we have created a Walk of Fame within Morgan’s Wonderland.  Eighty-seven in- ground, 30-inch disks, lit from beneath, are embedded in the pathway around our lake. These disks display our logo and a year.  Each year, we recognize five recipients whose names will be engraved on that year’s disk. These individuals are our Walk of Fame honorees.  They mirror such characteristics as selflessness, perseverance, creativity or dedication.

This past year, one of our recipients  was recognized for his work as a speaker and author on a national level while never allowing cerebral palsy to deter him from  providing seminars to businesses.  Another was a young lady who, while taking care of her special-needs brother, developed the concept of “smile boxes.”  She created and delivered boxes of games and activities to children in hospital wards, and a foundation was established to continue this work.  Yet another recipient was an individual who runs a theater program for those with special needs so they can experience “walking the boards.”

The world is full of individuals who spend many hours dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those with special needs. Likewise there are individuals who live with these circumstances, yet never let those obstacles get in their way of success.

To nominate someone for the Walk of Fame visit our website for more details here: Walk of Fame

-Jennifer

As a result of the amazing support from many individuals and corporations last year, our inaugural gala, raised $250,000 for Morgan’s Wonderland at that event in 2010. This year, we will hold our second annualFree to Soar Gala on Saturday, September 17, 2011 and we invite you to be an important part of the success of this year by becoming a table sponsor!

The response to the park has far exceeded our expectations. We have welcomed visitors from 50 states and over 18 countries! Stories from grateful visitors, parents and care-givers arrive daily and we are all inspired by them to continually look for additional ways to bring even more people to the park. We are aided in our work by many generous individuals, companies, and foundations that have partnered with us to make the park experience possible for so many.

We invite you to consider which level best fits with your commitment to Morgan’s Wonderland and all it stands for. Sponsors at the $5,000 level and up, along with their guests, will be invited to a private reception with Eva Longoria, our Keynote Speaker, before the event officially begins.  The formal event, held in the Event Center at the park, features both a live and silent auction. We anticipate approximately 500 fans of Morgan’s Wonderland will come out for the event.

Sponsorship information can be found on the Morgan’s Wonderland website at www.morganswonderland.com or contact Anne Bristol at abristol@morganswonderland.com.