YDHAT Goes to Van Buren
A Springdale youth was very excited about the Train ride on
Saturday, May 10, 2014 carrying 42 passengers, including 23 children, and he wanted
to make sure his grandmother really understood that his intent was to “drive
the train,” to Vanburen and back, and not just ride in it.
Four-year old Connor Selby wanted to be in the conductor’s
seat and had high hopes of getting to the front of the train.
His grandmother Catrina Horton said, “I really enjoyed
taking my grandson on the train. He had a great time, even though he said he
wanted to “drive the train.” She was able to talk to the staff to allow him to
see the front locomotive. He stood in the doorway for a long time, staring and
waiting for an opportunity to drive :)
“He had fun and I had fun watching all of them,” Horton
said.
Some other families on the train were experiencing their
first train ride ever and really thought the YDHAT train ride was a great event
for a great fee.
Candy Jenkins, another parent said, “We were able to take
our three boys on their first train ride because of your generosity (YDHAT). We
could not have afforded it otherwise.
This particular train ride had Gift Bags that were a little
different than the May 4th train ride. Inside the gift bags were
small group package toys, tunnel toy lights, glow sticks, candies, but with an
addition of Razorback T-shirts, koozies, and razorback writsbands. (The May 4 Train Ride group will
get their additional items at the next YDHAT recreational event this summer).
The YDHAT group had 42 passengers, but there were other people
on the train who were not part of our group and they were offered glow sticks
to join in with the YDHAT group.
The ride was a long one and some children and maybe a few adults took advantage of an opportunity to get a nap.
For more pictures of the YDHAT May 10 train Ride, see: https://plus.google.com/photos/115726712543906153638/albums/6013354793286155681?authkey=CPex8qPe0b-WlQE
The ride was a long one and some children and maybe a few adults took advantage of an opportunity to get a nap.
Stay tune to more YDHAT events such as Camping, Swimming,
Baseball, and more. Also, check out Sign Language classes in your area on the blog post next week.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTICIPATING SPONSORS
With your help, a total of 99 people were able to attend on both train rides of May 4 & May 10. They were able to receive glow sticks and snacks, and our young people each received a gift bag with toy lights, glow sticks, small party toys, candies and more.
Gold Sponsors: $31-$50
SPECIALITY HEARING INSTRUMENTS
RAZORBACK MARKETING DEPARTMENT
RAZORBACK MARKETING DEPARTMENT
RANDY SALSBURY
PATTI SCOTT
ARKANSAS & MISSOURI RAILROAD
PATTI SCOTT
ARKANSAS & MISSOURI RAILROAD
Silver Sponsors: $21-$30
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF
RHONDA HOLMES-THE WORD DIET
DEAF UNITED ORGANIZATION
DEIDRA DAVIS
LEORA JACKSON
Bronze Sponsors: $10-$20
UMOJA SOUL PUBLICATIONS
JEFF MCCARTY
ELIZABETH BOWDEN, FARRIS MEMORIAL ENT
KRISTI HARBISON, SPEECH PATHOLIGIST
MARY WENKUS-DUNLAP, SCHOOL INTERPRETER
HELLSTERN LEGENDS
Photography Sponsors
STACY HARPER, XTREME ACHIEVERS
BRYNE MCNEIL
OMESHIA CLARK
KELVIN JACKSON
OMESHIA CLARK
KELVIN JACKSON
"We're so glad we were able to come to this train ride with your group. It was awesome and we just hope you guys keep doing it for the enjoyment of others as well. We look forward to do it again. Thanks! Have a nice Day!"-The Villagran Family
"What a wonderful day! We were able to take our there boys on their first train ride because of your generosity. We could not have afforded it otherwise. Thanks you for helping us make memories with our boys that we will always cherish. God Bless you. Thanks again."-The Jenkins Family Bill, Candy, Billy, Andy, & Bobby
Our family really enjoyed the train ride. The staff on the train were very nice and we enjoyed meeting some new families. The weather was perfect and downtown Van Buren was very nice. We hope to be able to do this again. Thank you for the great time."-Shawn Michaels, Kayla, Kendal, Abbie, & Blake Michaels
Thanks so much! I loved the way the staff would tell us "history" stuff about the train, the "towns" we went through, etc. Exceptionally awesome was the price for the trip. I hope you do it again next year. I want my other half and maybe the grandchildren to come. Thanks again!"-Barbara Teaser
I thought it was great! I thought all the kids had fun. It was cool how we got dropped off in Van Buren. The little town was very pretty and the people were nice. I found good peaceful time to read and watch the pretty sites."-Abbie Michaels
I really enjoyed taking my grandson on the train. He had a great time even though he said he wanted to "drive the train." He had fun with all the kids and I had fun watching all of them."-Catrina Horton
This was our first train ride. We had so much fun! Everyone was great :) Even the weather was beautiful. The ride was very comfortable. We are so glad we had the opportunity to go on the trip!
-Julie Downum and Family.
