Weekend Recreation Participants Play Presidents’
Day Family Feud with Randi Rae.
It’s always a holiday at Weekend Recreation, our community-based respite program in Passaic and Essex counties. Holiday and seasonal themes are not only popular, they also celebrate the common heritage among our diverse group of consumers. (The same applies to our Adults’ and Parents’ Night Out (North) and Parents’ Night Out (South) programs offered in other regions throughout New Jersey.) Earlier this year, our consumers enjoyed Valentine’s Day. Celebrations last year included the winter holidays, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Father’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
After a hot breakfast, everyone played Family Feud… all in their pajamas.
More recently, the men and women in our Weekend Recreation program adopted the very informal dress code Pajama Party would call for. They, along with their parents and guardians enjoyed a hearty hot breakfast together. “Everything is good,” said Chris, one of the participants, adding, “It’s delicious!” Afterward, Randi Rae challenged and entertained the crowd with one of her games, this time Presidents’ Day Family Feud. (Randi Rae is a professional DJ and entertainer who loves to work among people with disabilities.) After the participants created their own names for their two teams, members of each “family” came up with answers to puzzles such as: “things with a string attached” and “what you eat with fruit.” Although Team Two earned more points than the Grover Knights, everyone emerged a winner.
Even more fun than Halloween Bingo is playing the game in costumes!
Afterward, both teams together challenged themselves with a game in which participants made as many words as possible from the letters of “Presidents’ Day.” Randi Rae was sure to point out homophones and other fine shades of meaning, as she did previously with Halloween Bingo.”
One participant, Emilio, has been with Weekend Recreation for ten years. “He likes to come here,” says his mother, Carmen. Her son also enjoys dancing, music, and bowling. “He loves to participate with everybody,” says Carmen. Another participant, Rickie, has been with Weekend Recreation since 2009. “It’s a good opportunity for Rickie to get out over the weekend,” says Deborah, his mom. As for the day’s event, she says, “It’s a fun activity.” Adds Deborah, “I love the program!”
Weekend Recreation participants look forward to giving their fathers a special hand-made gift.
Bingo is more enjoyable while celebrating a holiday.
