Joy surrounded students with disabilities who enjoyed a day of playing games, petting animals and getting their faces painted during the third annual SRO Fun Fair.
About 570 students and staff from 30 Rutherford County Schools participated in the event Friday at Lane Agri-Center.
Students nuzzled up to the camels, goats and rabbits from Party Animals Petting Zoo.
They sat still while volunteers from the school’s special education staff painted designs on their faces and arms.
Students showed their athletic skills with the inflatables provided by the Jumping Hearts Party Rentals.
They received Tennessee Highway Patrol hats, checked out the Sheriff’s Office Hummer and toured the Emergency Medical Service ambulance.
EMT Joe Strong said they students asked man questions as the loaded up in the back of the ambulance.
“The kids were loving it,” Strong said.
Paramedic Chris Ray said they were happy to answer the questions and show the students the ambulance.
SRO Chad Dodson, who coordinated the Fun Fair, said the event was funded by the SRO Golf Tournament and Auction held each fall.
“We wanted the students to have a special day,” Dodson said. “You could see the smiles on their faces and get excited. They touch our hearts.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office started the first SRO program in Tennessee 30 years ago. SROs serve as law enforcement officers, mentors, counselors and supporters of their schools.
Dodson thanked:
· Golfers and sponsors, auction donors, golfers, volunteers and SROs who supported the SRO Golf Tournament.
· Rutherford County Schools’ administration, Special Education department and teachers and staff who participated.
· Jumping Hearts Party Rentals.
· Party Animals Petting Zoo.
· Chick-fil-A for providing lunch for the volunteers.
· Tennessee Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Alumni Association volunteers, the Public Safety Cadets, the Community Services Unit and the SROs who attended.