2024 at Fox Valley Special Recreation Association was a year full of growth, celebration, and community. Exciting new initiatives and beloved annual events created moments that highlighted the strength and spirit of our participants and families.

Here are just a few of the memories that made this year so special:

• February: We celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Dr. Kelly Resource Library! This collection of adaptive equipment, technology, and recreational items became available for check-out at no cost to participants, expanding recreational opportunities at home and fostering creativity, social interaction, and physical activity.
• March: Our team attended many community resource fairs and job fairs to spread the word about FVSRA and connect with potential new staff eager to contribute to our summer programs and beyond.
• April: The BBQ & Basket Raffle was a blast! Attendees enjoyed delicious food, tried their luck on dozens of raffle prizes, and experienced our first-ever BBQ sauce competition and pop-up micro-business shop featuring FVSRA participants as vendors.
• June: Our incredible athletes brought home over 70 medals from the Special Olympics Summer Games, competing in bocce, powerlifting, track and field, and swimming. We couldn’t be more proud of their hard work and determination!
• July: The 26th annual Day in the Park brought together campers of all abilities from our member agencies, rounding out another successful year of Summer Day Camp. Inclusivity was on full display as campers enjoyed bounce houses, snow cones, train rides, and more.
• August: We bounced into Family Fun Day at Panton Mill Park! Families joined us for games, bounce houses, face painting, bubbles, and a whole lot of fun under the summer sun.
• September: SootheSpace wrapped up its summer season, providing sensory escapes at bustling festivals, touch-a-truck events, and other large gatherings. These quiet spaces gave individuals a peaceful break from the excitement, ensuring that everyone could enjoy community events at their own pace.
• November: The Annual Recognition Banquet was an unforgettable night where we honored the athletes, participants, part-time staff, and families who make our mission possible. Their contributions enhance FVSRA every day!

These are just a few examples of the many events, programs, and outings that made 2024 a year to remember. Thank you to everyone who joined, supported, and believed in our mission!

As we step into 2025, we’re excited to Follow Your Path—our new annual theme. It’s an invitation for everyone in our FVSRA community to embrace their journey, celebrate achievements big and small, and continue striving for new goals. Whether it’s discovering a new passion, building new skills, or simply enjoying the ride, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Here’s to a New Year!