Tag Archives: disability

Cuisine & community come to the Hill Country for Any Baby Can’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country

By North SA Chamber Editor
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AnyBabyCan-logoTaste of the Hill Country logo 2014 horizExperience an exciting variety of food, craft beer, local wine and spirits at Any Baby Can’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country taking place Thursday, June 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.at Kronkosky Place in Boerne, Texas. Guests will sample delicious eats and treats from some of the most popular local restaurants, chefs, innovative food trucks, breweries, wineries and distilleries while enjoying live music by The Countrymen Band, a raffle and live auction.

Whether you are dining on a stuffed baked potato from Fritze’s BBQ & Catering, sipping Pedernales Brewing Company’s Classic Dunkel-Weizen or feeding your sweet tooth with tres leches cake from La Gloria, your entire evening under the stars will be in support of Any Baby Can.

Sustenio, the flagship restaurant in Éilan Hotel Resort & Spa, is another 1 of over 15 local restaurants participating in Any Baby Can’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country. “I have a 3-year-old little girl so when I heard about this event, I was excited to participate,” say Mike Collins, Executive Chef who will be serving Saffron Scented Risotto with Tagine Style Lamb. “I think it’s important to support the community in which we live.”

One lucky guest will be treating their friends and family to an evening in the NuStar Energy L.P. private suite at the AT&T Center during the San Antonio Spurs 2014-2015 season– just a sample of the fantastic raffle packages available!

To complete the evening, 1st and 2nd place awards will presented to the food and beverage  station with the most guest votes for best dish or drink. Best of show will be awarded to the food or beverage station with the most creative presentation.

Proceeds from Any Baby Can’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill Country help Any Baby Can provide services to families who have a child birth through 12 years of age, and/or an adult individual with a chronic illness, disability, developmental delay or health risk.

Participate Tickets to Any Baby Can’s 2nd Annual Taste of the Hill country are $50 per person. There is no entry to participate in the event as a food or beverage station; we ask that you provide samples from your menu for 250 guests. For more information please visit anybabycansa.org.

About Any Baby Can
For more than 30 years, Any Baby Can has provided services to families with children facing serious health or developmental challenges. For more information, visit www.anybabycansa.org or call 210-227-0170.

For more information:
Kay Maynard
(210) 547-3019
kmaynard@anybabycansa.org

Morgan’s Wonderland seeking to honor champions who’ve befriended people with special needs

By North SA Chamber Editor
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MorgansWonderland_logoMorgan’s Wonderland has set Friday, Aug. 1, as the deadline for 2014 Walk of Fame nominations, according to Ron Morander, general manager of the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals of all ages in mind and built to be enjoyed by everyone.

“We annually honor five outstanding individuals who have been champions for the special-needs community,” Morander said.  “These remarkable individuals serve those with special needs in many different ways.  In doing so, they embody character traits such as determination, caring, achievement, sacrifice and inclusion.”

Walk of Fame honorees will be recognized at the Free to Soar Gala on Friday evening, Sept. 19, at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, and their names will be added to the Walk and Roll Path that encircles the park’s scenic eight-acre lake.

A committee from Morgan’s Wonderland and The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, along with special advisors, will review nominations of not more than two typewritten pages submitted to WalkofFame@MorgansWonderland.com and select honorees.  Complete nominating instructions can be found on the park’s website, www.MorgansWonderland.com.

Sponsorship information and other details about the Free to Soar Gala are available from Becky Thomas at (210) 493-2811.

Morander provided examples of deserving honorees – a student who, regardless of a special need, perseveres at school and inspires other students; a Wounded Warrior who embraces life despite immense physical challenges and serves as a role model for other Warriors; a dedicated employee who has earned the admiration of a supervisor and peers for a job well done; a parent or caregiver who has sacrificed to make a difference for those with special needs; or someone who works directly with the special-needs community to make a difference in numerous lives.

“Though we recognize that an individual might be a true inspiration or a hero to his or her family members, we’re looking for those who positively influence or help multiple individuals in spite of physical or cognitive challenges,” Morander said.

Names of the honorees will be embedded in round, translucent “stepping stones” featuring the Morgan’s Wonderland logo – a butterfly in flight – on the ¾-mile-long Walk and Roll Path.  The pathway contains 88 of the 2-foot-in-diameter stepping stones that glow beginning at dusk.

Morgan’s Wonderland, which is completely wheelchair-accessible, features more than 25 attractions including rides, playgrounds and gardens.  (Check www.MorgansWonderland.com for the latest information on days and hours of operation.)  Admission for special-needs guests is free; admission for accompanying family members, friends, caregivers and the general public is nominal.  Children age 2 and younger are also admitted free of charge.

The inspiration for Morgan’s Wonderland came from philanthropist Gordon Hartman’s 20-year-old daughter Morgan.  Her soaring spirit despite personal challenges sparked within him a deep desire to create a haven not only for those with special needs but also for their families, caregivers and invited friends.  “Inclusion is the overarching objective,” he noted.  “Everyone can have a good time at Morgan’s Wonderland.”

Morgan’s Wonderland is part of a larger 106-acre sports venue to encourage inclusive recreation whereby individuals of all abilities can play side-by-side.  The nearby STAR (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex offers 13 lighted soccer fields for tournaments and league play.  Net profits from STAR Soccer go to support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland.  Likewise, net profits from the San Antonio Scorpions FC pro soccer team and the team’s new, 8,000-seat home – Toyota Field – are also earmarked to expand programs and services at Morgan’s Wonderland for the special-needs community.

In addition, Monarch Academy, a school for students with special needs next to Morgan’s Wonderland, is wrapping up its third year of instruction.

Morgan’s Wonderland is located in Northeast San Antonio a half-mile west of IH 35 at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive.  For more information, call either (210) 495-5888 or toll-free (877) 495-5888.