By Craig Garcia In the heart of Parkland, Florida, a remarkable program is fostering community unity, one game at a time. Parkland Buddy Sports pairs special needs children with student volunteers, creating a vibrant tapestry of inclusion, compassion, and shared joy. This inspiring initiative is a testament to the power of sports and friendship, bringing …
Parkland Buddy Sports: A Beacon of Community Unity Read More »
Co-written by Wendy Zipes Hunter and Ken Webster In the heart of Parkland, Florida, a story of compassion, growth, and community has been unfolding for over the past two decades. What started as a small initiative has now blossomed into a thriving program that brings families together from all corners of southeast Florida. The driving …
By Wendy Hunter, photos courtesy of Ken Webster Photography Can you imagine a childhood without a single friend? Children with disabilities are 65% more likely to experience bullying than children without. Parkland Buddy Sports (PBS) promotes friendship, and inclusion not just on the sports fields, but in everyday life because every child matters. We hear …
By Wendy Hunter & Ken Webster Parkland Buddy Sports (“PBS”) has been serving South Florida families since its opening in 2002, offering recreational programs for children and young adults with special needs (“Players”) and connecting student volunteers (“Buddies”) looking to make a difference in their communities while earning service hours towards their graduation. The program …
By Wendy Hunter and Ken Webster Covid has presented some unique challenges for our Parkland Buddy Sports community of players, volunteers, coaches, board members and extended families. It’s impossible to prepare kids for everything that’s going to be different through these times so parents have had to explain physical distancing, wearing masks, and why frequent …
Parkland Buddy Sports…The Unique Challenges of 2020 Read More »
Parkland Buddy Sports Hosts 2nd Annual “No Limits” Golf Classic Fundraiser This May, hundreds of people will tee it up at Heron Bay Golf Club to raise money for Parkland Buddy Sports. This 2nd annual “no limits” golf classic will support sports programming for children with special needs in South Florida and the best price …
