Chickasaw County hosts annual Frankie’s Fall Fun and Games Day

CHICKASAW COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Chickasaw County students got the thrill of a lifetime at the Chickasaw County Coliseum.

The Agri-Center played host to the 20th annual Frankie’s Fall Fun and Games Day.

Each year, special education students are invited out for a day of horseback riding, games, and more.

Jo Cross started “Frankie’s Fall Fun and Games Day” 20 years ago in honor of her son.

Over the years, the event has continuously grown bigger.

“I love the idea of them having the opportunity to see different things, be around other people, see the different things that other people do. They get to see the firetruck, they get to see the helicopter, we’ve had the ambulances out here… It’s just the different people they get to see,” said special education teacher Tracy Sullivan.

Sullivan teaches at Houston Lower Elementary.

She said her students look forward to the fun day every year.

“Oh, it means a lot. They look forward to it. The older kids that have been doing it every year… the first day of school… ‘when is fall fun day,'” said Sullivan.

Those in attendance agree there aren’t enough activities or opportunities for special needs children throughout the state, and they hope to change that.

“The biggest take away for my children is socialization. Getting out, not just getting into the classroom, but getting out, meeting other people. Other people that may have the same disabilities that they have. Just seeing that the community supports them,” said special education teacher Christy Moss.

“Just the satisfaction of knowing somebody cares… is probably the thing somebody can do for them,” said Cross.

Organizers said it takes 30 volunteers an entire year to plan the event, but it’s well worth the time and effort.

“Our community needs to see what other kids go through on a daily basis,” said cross.

“I know it’s heartwarming to the parents to see their kids out here having fun and not considered a special needs child, but just an everyday kid having a good time and not worrying about anything else,” said volunteer Linda Griffin.

Volunteers and organizers say at the end of the day they get just as much from the event as the students do.

“If we could all live one day in the world they live in, and be as happy as they are, we’d all have a better world to live in,” said Cross.

Frankie’s Fall Fun day operates entirely off of donations from the community.

Each attendee leaves the event with a toy and a cupcake.