Special Needs holiday party provides comfort

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 5th annual Special Needs holiday party created an environment of acceptance and comfort for special needs children and their family members Dec. 13 at the Delta Breeze Club here.

The event was one of many that the Travis Special Needs Task Force coordinates to assist special-needs families.

"The purpose of the Special Needs Task Force is to assist military families with the day to day challenges of raising a special-needs child," said Sue Tonarelli, Special Needs Task Force coordinator. "Our mission is to be advocates for these families and to honor them."

At the holiday party, families were provided with a buffet dinner, raffle tickets to win prizes and an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

"The Task Force provides more than fun events for our kids," said Patricia Eaton, wife of Senior Master Sgt. Shane Eaton, 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron. "It's an opportunity for parents to connect with other parents who understand."

Not only are the Task Force events beneficial for parents, they also give special-needs children and their siblings an opportunity to interact through a variety of activities.

Patricia's son, 7-year-old Cody, has cerebral palsy. She brings the entire family to many Task Force events for the advantages available to everyone in the family.

"The events are important to the kids because they are tailored to special-needs kids, where as other events they may not be able to participate," Eaton said.

According to Eaton, the Task Force is more dynamic than fun events; they also promote classes that teach sign language and bring in professionals for kids who have behavioral issues.

"The Travis Task Force has set the bar for Air Force services to special-needs families, Tonarelli said.

"Travis has one of the largest populations of special-needs families out of all Air Force bases," she said.

With so many base and community residents that seek out the events, camaraderie and understanding that the Task Force provides, continuing the special-needs events has become integral to community resiliency.

"It would be a disservice to the base and community not to coordinate the Special Needs Task Force events," Tonarelli said.