Sensory Christmas at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens
December 14th and 21st from 5 pm -8 pm Free of Charge a Gift to the Community Directions to Western Colorado Botanical GardensWestern Colorado Botanical Gardens Invites You.
December 14th and 21st from 5 pm-8 pm, with an ornament craft sale Free of Charge a Gift to the Community
Officials at STRIVE say, not every child experiences these meetings the same, especially those with developmental disabilities and intellectual delays.
That’s why STRIVE partnered with the Botanical Gardens to host a Sensory Friendly Christmas.
“Kids really want to come and participate seeing Santa and things, but in some instances, they just don’t fit well with the environments where they’re really loud and flashy, like a mall or something like that,” says Doug Sorter with STRIVE.
That’s why STRIVE and the Botanical Gardens created a Sensory Friendly Christmas.
“In this environment, we keep it low-key, so that they are able to participate with Santa on their terms,” adds Sorter.
This includes low light level, low music levels, sensory sounds and smells, all to help the children relax.
“Because they want to see Santa just as much as anybody else, every other kid,” adds Sorter.
Santa himself even knows how to be sensory friendly, as some of his elves require this type of environment.
“He’s really skilled at what needs to happen and how things need to occur, and the slower pace of things,” says Sorter.
All of this to bring the joys of Christmas to those children who may have otherwise missed out.
“Fun and the smiles and all the things that go along with seeing Santa, that excitement, boy those kids really get excited because they know what he brings to the table,” says Sorter.
Which is Christmas joy and hope, presents under the tree.
The Sensory Christmas takes place at the Botanical Gardens, located at 641 Struthers Avenue in Grand Junction.
2017 News Video about the Annual Event.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Doug Sorter of STRIVE stops by the KFQX studio to talk about an upcoming event called “Sensory Friendly Christmas.”
Will you sponsor a family or donate toward our holiday basket program this year?
Our organization has a wonderful yearly tradition of creating holiday baskets for low-income families who have a child with a disability. And every year, we are humbled by the generosity of this community! It is expensive for all families to raise a child, but research has shown that raising a child with special needs can more than quadruple the cost, making holidays exceptionally difficult.
STRiVE is participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Please join us in helping a fellow nonprofit, The Alzheimer’s Association, raise awareness and money to cure Alzheimer’s.
Fall at the Gardens 2021 Harvest Illuminated at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens in Grand Junction Oct. 28th – Oct. 30
Spectacular lighted pumpkin
sculptures created by renowned artists and carvers from Food Network’s
“Outrageous Pumpkins” featuring:
Willy Tuz along with Jess Parrish,
Brandy Davis, Giselle Poserio, Dean Arnold
Monique Hawk, David Smith, Tom Lindskog and
Danny Kissel, 2020 winner of
Food Network’s
“Outrageous Pumpkins”
OCT 28 AT 5 PM MDT – OCT 30 AT 9 PM MDT
New Job Opportunity in Mesa County with STRiVE
Through the job opportunities STRiVE provides to local businesses like Uniquely Yours retail, Western Colorado botanical gardens, and Alida’s fruits, STRiVE is seeking applicants to equip them with the skills they need to not just get a job but to obtain employment with career growth opportunities.
Cindy Willms, Director of Community Outreach at STRiVE, had the pleasure of presenting to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy on Tuesday, May 11th 2021.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) benefits the community by helping to fund needed supports and services while providing the business with recognition and advertising. The students were full of questions at the end. Cindy looks forward to returning to address the Class of 2022!
Save the Date – 7th annual Tulips & Juleps Derby Party on May 1st.
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