Good times and good vibes were had at the Gray County Association for Retarded Citizens Annual Summer Bash this past Wednesday.
Established in 1958 right here in Pampa by the beloved organization, originally called the Exceptional Children’s Association and later changed to its current name, has given these special citizens a place in the community where they are able to thrive and live their lives surrounded by love and support.
Terrie Cochran, the president of the board of GCARC, has been involved with the organization for 16 years and is always thrilled to have events exclusively for these special citizens and the annual summer bash is just one of them.
Terrie has always loved and been associated with the organization from when her mother served on the board and she has passed down that love and passion for those citizens down her family line.
“God drew us to these kids for some reason,” Terrie said. “From mom, to me, to my kids and now to my grandkids. You have to have a special kind of love for these kids or just don’t get involved at all.”
To truly appreciate the importance of the association, one must understand what major milestones the organization has made for those special citizens and the lives they’ve positively impacted over a span of 66 years.
The same year the organization was started, the founder marched to the Texas Governor’s office not once, but twice and demanded equal educational rights for mentally handicapped kids-a demand that was granted when the first special needs class was opened in Woodrow Wilson Elementary with nine students in attendance that very year. By 1961, special education classes were offered in Pampa Junior High.
A workshop was also started as a way for the parents and caretakers of the special needs individuals to be able to work and run everyday errands while also helping those individuals enter the workforce, giving them a sense of belonging and responsibility within the community.
The GCARC goal from the very beginning has been “dedicated to the premise that the mentally retarded have important contributions to make to society and that given the opportunity to learn, they can accomplish many things which create a positive self image and a feeling of being productive members of the community.”
The organization paved a way for these citizens to become active in their community and to develop a sense of confidence through multiple means of socialization, whether through working a few hours a week or having a blast at a fun event such as the summer bash.
This year’s theme was a bright and colorful, groovy 60s throwback-an idea by the citizens themselves. Through the creative talents of some of their younger and newer citizens, the event was a major success and tons of fun was had by everyone involved, including the many volunteers who came to dedicate their time to help make the day memorable.
For more information about the organization or how to become a volunteer, call Terrie at 806-898-0431.
