The Hamilton Area YMCA’s annual “Special Night for Special Kids” food and cheer tasting is set for Sept. 18 at the organization’s Sawmill Branch.
Proceeds from the event will support the Y’s S.K.O.R. (Special Kids Organized Recreation) Program dedicated to providing quality programming for youth and adults with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities. This year former S.K.O.R. Program Director, Kathy Rhead, will be honored with the Maurice T. Perilli Friend of S.K.O.R. award.
Sponsored by Hamilton Honda, this annual event has raised critical funds to support the Y’s programming for individuals with special needs for the last nine years. Last year, nearly 250 business and community leaders throughout Mercer County attended. Increased attendance is expected this year thanks to the number of lives touched by this year’s recipient of the Maurice T. Perilli Friend of S.K.O.R. Award, Rhead, through her work with the special needs community.
Rhead served as director of the Hamilton Area YMCA’s S.K.O.R. Program for the past 10 years. Before joining the YMCA family, she was the Respite and Recreation Director for ARC of Mercer County. She has been involved in Special Olympics since 1998 and has coached special needs athletes in a variety of sports over the years. In June 2014, Rhead served as the logistics commissioner for the USA Special Olympics Games held in New Jersey.
She is currently the vice president of Hamilton Township’s Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Special Needs. Rhead has been a featured speaker on the topic of programming for individuals with disabilities and a passionate voice about the importance of inclusion.
“Kathy’s passion for working with the special needs community is unrivaled,” Hamilton Area YMCA CEO Jim Fell said in a statement. “She’s been more than a friend to S.K.O.R.; she’s been a force. The Hamilton Y family is looking forward to celebrating her and the impact she has made this year.”
The event is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sawmill branch, 185 Sawmill Road, Hamilton. Participating restaurants include Centro Grill, Jersey Girl Café, Killarney’s Publick House, Lola, Pete’s Steakhouse, Spigola Ristorante, Stone Terrace by John Henry, Villa Mannino, Villagio Iccara and Sadie Cakes.
Tickets to a “Special Night for Special Kids” are $60 and can be purchased by calling Denise Goldenbaum at (609) 581-9622 ext. 111. Sponsorship and special message opportunities are still available.
