Therapeutic Recreation celebrates holidays

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Attendees put in their Christmas 2023 preorders with Santa at Stone Bridge Farms. (Amy Leonard for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. – After December’s intermittent bad weather prompted a rescheduled date, Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism’s (CPRST) Therapeutic Recreation held an after-Christmas celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Stone Bridge Farms. 

Guests of all ages spent time with Santa Claus reviewing all of the gifts he brought them just a few weeks ago. Ambitious attendees got a jump start on next Christmas, a mere 11 and a half months away, and provided Santa with their next wish lists. 

Dancers from Ballet South entertained guests after the dinner hour. After the ballet, it was time to mingle and spend time with friends and family. 

In this setting, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs is known by a different name. He’s not Mayor Jacobs nor Woody. He can loosen his tie and just be “Hannah’s dad,” as several guests call him. 

“We’re so grateful for everything Therapeutic Recreation does,” Jacobs said. “Their programs are top notch and they’re a huge asset to Cullman. They’re important to myself, to my daughter Hannah and to our whole family.” 

Pivotal to the success of the event were the Cullman Pilot Club and Stone Bridge Farms. The venue graciously redecorated for the holiday, going so far as to put its Christmas tree back up in the event center. 

A huge benefactor for Therapeutic Recreation is the Saints Motorcycle Club, which donates 100% of the proceeds from its annual Miracle League Ride to the athletes who participate at the Field of Miracles. Through the generous donation, the Miracle League players have their fees covered and can participate in sports at no charge.  

Currently, the CPRST Foundation is seeking the community’s help with the Field of Miracles, the multi-use fields that Cullman’s special needs athletes use in the spring and fall ball seasons. The specially designed field for athletes of all abilities is used by the Miracle League baseball teams due to the rubberized field accommodating all athletes. The league hosts over 300 athletes from age 4 to older than 70. 

Ideally, the field material should be replaced every 10 years, according to CPRST’s Ashley Dye. Currently, however, Field of Miracles is on its 14th year of using the current surface, which is in need of replacement- an estimated cost of $300,000. 

To donate to Field of Miracles, visit www.donorbox.org/miracle-field-campaign

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