Munster Best Buddies kicked off the summer with one of the season’s first events, held on a beautiful day during Memorial Day weekend. The inaugural Friendship Fair enjoyed both excellent weather and a strong turnout. Children had the opportunity to participate in a variety of games hosted by several MHS clubs, including MHS Dance, MHS Tennis, MHS Black Culture Club, and MHS Environmental Club, among others. Vendors were on-site to offer tasty treats and many organizations could promote their efforts to the community. Munster’s beloved police officers, Skye, Vader, and Ozzy, were present to greet guests and soak in the positive atmosphere.
Olivia Hughes, Student President of Best Buddies, made announcements in between DJ selections that included 90s hits and feel good dance songs. Hughes expressed her hope that the Friendship Fair would become an annual tradition promoting inclusivity. “This is kind of like a fun fair where we have all of our clubs and sports teams running booths,” Hughes said. “It’s important to educate our community about inclusivity, and especially to teach elementary kids about diversity and how to celebrate our differences.”
The Munster Best Buddies group works to promote inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Throughout the year, the group hosts chapter events to foster stronger friendships among members and with individuals with IDD. Earlier this year, the popular Buddy Bowl was one such event. The Friendship Fair represents another effort by the group to engage with the community and broaden the reach of Best Buddies. “We’re hoping, if this is a big success, we’ll do it again next year even bigger, and reach out to more people,” Hughes said.
To learn more about Munster Best Buddies, visit their Facebook page at Munster Best Buddies Facebook Group.
