Sean Sneary has delivered books to needy children and met with Georgia’s governor and Dalton’s mayor throughout his time at Cross Plains Community Partner.
“It was very important for Sean to have a place to go to work every day,” said his sister-in-law, Debbie Sneary.
Mr. Sneary, 55, has been able to do just that for 10 years thanks to Cross Plains, a nonprofit agency that provides day support to adults with developmental disabilities in the North Georgia community.
But like many agencies nationwide and in the area, Cross Plains is facing financial challenges. To help raise money, board members organized the first 5K Grizzly Trail Run today.
“What we do at Cross Plains is kind of a unique thing,” said Matt Ross, race director and board member at the agency. “A lot of mentally disabled people, when they graduate from high school there’s not a whole lot of opportunities for them, and Cross Plains provides them some opportunities for
interaction, to develop job skills, so I think it’s very important that we try to support it.”
The trail race is a fundraiser the agency can build upon, Mr. Ross said. Organizers are hoping for about 150 participants but are prepared to receive up to 300, he said.
IF YOU GO* When: 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. race today* Where: Raisin Woods Bike Trail, Brooker Drive, Dalton, Ga.* Cost: $20* Information: www.active.com, 706-278-8143FAST FACTS* Cross Plains Community Partner started in 1957 when a group of concerned Whitfield County citizens recognized the need for programs and services for children with developmental delays and mental challenges.* It provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Northwest Georgia.* Services include supported employment, volunteering opportunities and daily activities at the center.Source: Cross Plains Community Partner
Executive Director Deborah Conway said the center’s mission is to help people with disabilities be self-sufficient and involved in the community.
The center, which serves 86 people, provides supported employment, volunteer opportunities and activities including computer and art classes.
“It doesn’t matter how disabled the person is, our goal is to make sure they are out there, participating in our community,” Mrs. Conway said.
Though Mr. Sneary, an adult with developmental disabilities, can’t really communicate or read, he has been able to work at the Riverbend Festival and the Tennessee Aquarium, said Mrs. Sneary, also a board member at Cross Plains.
“The biggest gift Cross Plains has given Sean is the opportunity to look at what his interests and desires are and then be able to pursue (them),” Mrs. Sneary said. “You can see a sense of pride in him and his friends when they know they are doing something that’s helping the community.”
Mrs. Conway said the money from the race will go to help pay for a van the organization recently purchased.
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