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Reunion Marks Milestone for Extra Special People

The non-profit with a mission to enhance the lives of children and young adults with developmental disabilities celebrated 25 years on Friday.

  • December 5, 2011
 
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Extra Special People
Ruthanne Hartel and her mom, Mary Jean Hartel, dance at the 25th anniversary celebration of Extra Special People. On Friday at the Oconee County Civic Center, 400 members of the ESP family gathered to toast the Watkinsville nonprofit's past 25 years of service to children and young people with disabilities. The celebration drew long-time supporters and campers, like Ruthanne, who has attended ESP summer camps and activities for a decade. The organization started in 1986 with a summer camp that served 21 local children, and has expanded to serve 150 families in the past year alone. Aaron Hale
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Extra Special People Executive Director Laura Whitaker presents a plaque dedicated to the nonprofit's founder, Martha Wyllie, who passed away in 2005. On Friday night, the organization celebrated 25 years of service to Northeast Georgia children with disabilities and their families. Roughly 400 people -- current and former summer campers, counselors, donors, and board members -- gathered at the Oconee County Civic Center to celebrate the group's past and look toward its future. The Watkinsville-based nonprofit has plans to build a new facility in the coming years, and the plaque presented by Whitaker will be built into the masonry of that new building. Credit Leslie Williams Hale
Joe Moon, board chair of Extra Special People, discusses the nonprofit's 25-year history at a holiday celebration and reunion at the Oconee County Civic Center on Friday evening. ESP held its first summer camp for 21 children in 1986, and served a total of 150 families during the 2011 summer camp season. Roughly 400 families, donors and community supporters from ESP's past and present gathered on Friday to celebrate the group's journey, as well as pay homage to some of its founders and supporters who have passed away in recent years Credit Leslie Williams Hale
Attendees at the 25th anniversary celebration of Extra Special People light up the gathering hall at the Oconee County Civic Center, demonstrating that it takes a village to make a difference. The Watkinsville-based nonprofit on Friday celebrated its 25th year of providing services to children with disabilities and their families. More than 400 former and current summer campers, counselors, donors and board members gathered to celebrate the organization's past and look toward its future. Credit Leslie Williams Hale
Doug Penning, left, and Hannah Baird, center, chat with Candace Conglose, a summer camp counselor for the Watkinsville-based nonprofit Extra Special People. On Friday at the Oconee County Civic Center, former and current campers, counselors, donors and board members gathered for the group's annual holiday celebration. This year's party had some added meaning, however. ESP is celebrating its 25th year of operation, after its founding in 1986 as a summer camp program for 21 children with disabilities. In summer 2011, the organization served a total of 150 families, and has plans to continue growing with the construction of a new building in Oconee County. Credit Leslie Williams Hale
Extra Special People Executive Director Laura Whitaker, far left, hugs Paula Bleecker, whose son Tyler passed away in 2011. Tyler Bleecker was recognized at ESP's 25th anniversary celebration for his long-time volunteer service to the organization. With his brothers Cutler, center, and Evan, far right, Tyler Bleecker was pulled into service at ESP after his family moved in across the street from ESP's building when the brothers were children. At Friday's celebration at the Oconee County Civic Center, 400 current and former volunteers, staffers, campers, donors and board members gathered to toast to the last 25 years, as well as honor the contributions of community members who have recently passed away. Credit Leslie Williams Hale
Ruthanne Hartel and her mom, Mary Jean Hartel, dance at the 25th anniversary celebration of Extra Special People. On Friday at the Oconee County Civic Center, 400 members of the ESP family gathered to toast the Watkinsville nonprofit's past 25 years of service to children and young people with disabilities. The celebration drew long-time supporters and campers, like Ruthanne, who has attended ESP summer camps and activities for a decade. The organization started in 1986 with a summer camp that served 21 local children, and has expanded to serve 150 families in the past year alone. Credit Aaron Hale
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On Friday, Dec. 2 at the Oconee County Civic Center, Extra Special People, Inc. honored those families and volunteers whose love, support and special children helped build the organization over the past 25 years.

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Related Topics: ESP and Extra Special People

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Stephanie Gross

8:56 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011

Photos are courtesy of Aaron Hale and Leslie Hale provided the captions. Thanks for sharing the good news!

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