Tricks, treats and a heartfelt plea

McMinnville Special Games is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the special needs community with opportunities to take part in activities with the idea that "We are all different, so no one is different."

To that end, MSG is holding a Halloween party at the McMinnville Enrichment Center at 225 Garfield St. Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The event is open to adults and children ages 3 and up with special needs.

"We are holding it on Oct. 23 because holiday weeks are very busy for most families and we wanted to make sure they could come and enjoy the festivities," MSG Executive Director Holly McBride said. "We will have pizza and lots of sweets for them. Each special participant gets to pick a small pumpkin from our little homemade patch that our activity director, Chasity Cooper, is working on. They will decorate their pumpkins and we have a pumpkin punch game they will get to play as well as other Halloween games and activities.

"We are also having a Halloween Costume Contest. Winners will receive trophies for best costume, most creative costume, funniest costume, most colorful costume, scariest costume and most artistic costume. It isn’t mandatory to dress up of course, but we encourage all of our special friends to participate. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone and hope they have an amazing time."

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to McBride at hollymcbride82@gmail.com.

Another staple of MSG is its annual basketball program which gives the local special needs community the opportunity to be on a basketball team with real jerseys and to play against community teams such as the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the McMinnville Fire Department, Warren County EMS, the McMinnville Police Department and other school basketball teams including Warren County High School, Boyd and Grundy County High School. Last year, the program added a cheer squad.

Traditionally held in a local church gym, the program is seeking a new permanent home.

"The Pentecostals of McMinnville Church and Pastor Burns graciously welcomed us into their gym for many years, and we are deeply thankful for everything they have done for our organization," McBride said. "Their growing youth group now needs greater access to the gym, which our basketball season occupied for three months each year. We completely understand their decision to discontinue outside use and appreciate the many seasons their generosity made possible."

The program provides the participants with a sense of belonging along with physical activity, social interaction and friendships.

"We are currently searching for an accessible gymnasium with seating, preferably within the McMinnville city limits, for January through March," McBride said. "Our schedule includes two practices each week and games on Saturdays. Beyond finding a gym for the upcoming season, we hope to establish a permanent home with an enrichment center and gymnasium. This would give us room for basketball, cheer, kickball, our annual Olympic event and our other activities. Our enrichment center at 225 Garfield Street has been a wonderful blessing, but we have already outgrown it.

"The former Pacesetters building on Magness Drive interested us because its existing layout would meet many of our needs. Unfortunately, the asking price is outside our financial reach. We submitted two offers to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, both of which were respectfully declined. We understand the city’s responsibility to recover its investment. We are grateful to former City Administrator Nolan Ming for his assistance and to the mayor and aldermen for considering our proposals. I still hope there may be an opportunity to revisit those discussions and find an agreement that works for both the city and our special-needs community. Through creative fundraising and grant support, I believe we could work toward adding a gymnasium to that property within one to three years."

Those willing to assist MSG is securing a facility for basketball or a new permanent enrichment center may contact McBride at hollymcbride82@gmail.com.