Hillbilly Christmas in July, Inc.

�

PIKEVILLE — Hillbilly Christmas in July, Inc., is expanding its mission to give special needs children a local place to relax and have fun.

A group of area Shriners started the non-profit organization years ago after learning that donations to Lexington’s Shriners Hospital for Children, which currently treats about 300 Pike County children, decreases during the summer months.

Since its inception, the group has raised more than $119,000 and provided loads of toys for the hospital. Last year, hundreds of Shriners’ patients and their families enjoyed free entertainment, games and prizes during a Hillbilly Christmas in July “Day in the Park” celebration in Pikeville.

This year, the organization’s members are expanding its mission. They want to construct a playground in Pikeville that accommodates special needs children.

During a Feb. 11 meeting, Hillbilly Christmas in July board members agreed to change the organization’s mission statement to show that donated funds can also be used to help disabled Shriners’ patients on a local level. The change, required so that the group can apply for grant funding for the park, will be finalized during a future board meeting.

And that’s good news to 11-year-old Jazmine Habern, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy. Habern, who uses a walker, is more mobile than many other special needs children, but she still can’t enjoy most types of playground equipment available at local parks.

Mark Walker, a Hillbilly Christmas in July board member, said it’s difficult for Habern, his daughter, to step up and climb onto playground equipment because she has trouble controlling her legs. She has more strength in her arms, but he worries because playground material doesn’t provide a soft surface to cushion her fall.

During a recent interview, Walker talked about a swing available for children at the Lexington hospital that accommodates wheelchair- bound children. Habern expressed disappointment because she can’t enjoy her favorite park ride—Camden Park’s log ride— because she must be lifted up and carried around the park.

There are swings equipped for special needs children at Pikeville Elementary School, where Habern attends classes, but during the interview, she talked about watching other children enjoy the games that she can’t enjoy.

“I would feel happy,” Habern said when asked about the possibility of having a local playground with equipment that suited her needs.

Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn, who serves on the Hillbilly Christmas in July board, said the idea of constructing a special needs park began with a proposal to add a few handicap-accessible swings to the city park. But the park has little room for expansion, so no additional playground equipment could be added.

There are several options available to construct a park in Pikeville that caters both to special needs children and children without disabilities, Blackburn said. Officials have discussed placing equipment near the Pikeville pond, where a revitalization effort is currently underway, or near the city’s former greenhouse area at Bob Amos Park, where other potential playground sites are also located.

Constructing a park to meet the needs of children with disabilities “would improve the quality of life for Pikeville residents.”

“There are kids out there who miss out,” Blackburn added. “In society, when we go to thinking and planning, we plan for the majority and not the minority sometimes. It is our responsibility to understand people with special needs and provide them opportunities to participate as well.”

Blackburn, who also serves on the Hillbilly Days committee, said he became “hooked” on helping Shriners’ children after visiting the Lexington hospital with Shriner Jimmy Kinney.

“When you see the little kids there, you’re hooked. You can’t help it,” he said. “When a child is facing so much adversity and you see how hard they fight, they grab your heartstrings. You want to jump in and do everything you can to help. They became my heroes.”

The Big Sandy Area Development District is working with Hillbilly Christmas in July board members to prepare the grant application. The project could cost up to $100,000 and any grant received by the all-volunteer board may require matching funds.

More information about Hillbilly Christmas in July can be found online at [www. hillbillychristmasinjuly. org].