NEWBERRY — The Newberry Disability and Special Needs Board held a picnic in conjunction with the Newberry City Police Department to help build healthy and friendly bonds.
“This event was important because it helps build partnerships with the fire department and the police. This event helped to build those bonds and to show our folks that the police are there to assist and help,” said Cindy Farr, director of quality enhancement and training at DSNB.
The idea for the picnic came from Randy Malloy, a Newberry police officer. Officers with the department have been challenged to do some sort of community project. Malloy and other officers wanted their project to be with DSNB.
“We are trying to be more community oriented, so we partner with places in the city to have days like this,” said Acting Police Chief Roy McClurkin. “The DSNB picnic was Randy Malloy’s particular project.”
Farr explained that an added benefit of the picnic is that when there is a crisis, DSNB clients will know the authorities, and have a relationship with them.
During the picnic, the officers prepared the food and grilled hamburgers, but the picnic was more than just food. The police and fire departments held multiple events for the DSNB clients, this included cornhole, volleyball, basket ball and a water relay.
“The water relay was held on our walking track, we had buckets filled with water and our clients and our officers raced down the line. Whomever had the most water at the end of the line, won,” Farr said.
The picnic was held Sept. 11, which Farr said was a nice day to have it because it was a way to honor first responders.
The City Police Department and DSNB had additional help from Newberry College for this event. Through the Muller Center, students volunteered their time to assist in the activities of the day.
“The Muller Center at Newberry College is always seeking ways for the college and community to partner. We are pleased that on this day of remembrance our students have chosen to honor our county’s first responders by participating in this event,” said Krista Hughes, director of the Muller Center.
McClurkin said that members of the DSNB and members of the city police department had a good day filled with excited people.
“We are happy that they allowed us to have this event. I look forward to participating in the picnic in years to come,” he said. “This event really let the public, and those at Disability and Special Needs, know that we are here to not only assist the public, but be a part of it as well.”
The picnic was paid for by the Ruth S. Pugh Foundation, which is managed by the DSNB.
“Disabilities and Special Needs Board contract is provided by the state, and we cannot use tax dollars for events like this. So we raised money throughout the year to the Foundation, which is named for the first special education teacher in county,” Farr said.